Groundwater in Mecklenburg County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that require your attention.
The crystalline bedrock beneath this county naturally contains iron, manganese, and arsenic. As water seeps through cracks and fractures in this rock over time, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well. Chloride, lead, and PFOS come from a mix of natural sources and human activity--road salt, old plumbing, and industrial discharge all contribute to these contaminants.
Groundwater in this county is soft but very high in iron, which is the dominant mineral character of the water. The iron comes from minerals in the crystalline rock that break down as water moves through the ground. Very high iron is a common trait across wells in Mecklenburg County.
Wells in Mecklenburg County contain arsenic, lead, chloride, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic damages organs over time and increases cancer risk. Lead harms brain development in children and causes learning problems. PFOS builds up in your body and can affect your immune system and thyroid. Chloride at high levels can cause health problems in people with certain medical conditions.
Iron in county wells is very high and will stain your plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes with reddish-brown marks. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in your water. Iron buildup can clog pipes and reduce water flow over time.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and contaminants panel to check for all these concerns at once, which typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can address multiple contaminants depending on what testing finds.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 975 | 68% | High | High | |
| Iron | 974 | 53% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 977 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 975 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 969 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 913 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 897 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 819 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 715 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 1578 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 383 | — | High | Low |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
Loading recent water news…