Groundwater in Atlantic County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require your attention.
These contaminants come from multiple sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally when water passes through sand and gravel layers underground. Arsenic and lead are naturally present in some rock formations. Chloride and sulfate enter from road salt and agricultural runoff. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated groundwater in certain areas. Nitrate comes from fertilizer and septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main mineral character. The sandy aquifer naturally releases iron as water moves through it. Iron is widespread across wells in Atlantic County, though levels and contaminants vary from well to well.
Wells in Atlantic County commonly contain arsenic, lead, and PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can harm your kidneys, nervous system, and bones, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to serious health effects including liver damage and immune system problems. Nitrate, chloride, and other contaminants also exceed standards and pose health risks to infants and people with certain conditions.
County wells show moderate iron levels that can cause orange or brown staining on clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures. Iron can also create a metallic taste and smell in your water and build up inside pipes over time. The good news is that county water is soft, so you likely won't see the heavy scale buildup that hard water causes on appliances.
Every well in Atlantic County is different, and yours may have higher or lower contaminant levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all the contaminants found here, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, and ion exchange can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 425 | 32% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 409 | 17% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 444 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 278 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 3201 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 493 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 273 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 84 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 305 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 363 | 0% | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 10* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 84 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 741 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 440 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 10* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 490 | — | 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.
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