Groundwater in New Hanover County contains iron, manganese, chloride, and sulfate. All four of these contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and need your attention.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. The coastal plain has sandy and clay layers mixed with saltwater influences near the ocean, which brings chloride and sulfate into the groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from minerals in the rock as water moves through it underground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium, and also contains elevated iron. The sandy and clay rock layers in the coastal plain hold minerals that dissolve into the water over time. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in New Hanover County contain chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at high concentrations can harm people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and organs when consumed over time. Sulfate can cause digestive problems, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.
The very hard water in this county will create practical problems in your home. You will see reddish or brown staining on fixtures and laundry from iron buildup. Scale will form inside pipes and on appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your drinking water and reduced soap lather when bathing.
Your well is unique, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common countywide. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Water softeners and iron filters are common treatment solutions for these mineral concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 280 | 48% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 167 | 23% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 305 | 20% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 268 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 132 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 172 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 297 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 77 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 276 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 244 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
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