Well Water in Burlington County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Burlington County contains iron, manganese, and the industrial chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS, along with arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrite, nitrate, and fluoride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.

These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the sandy and gravelly layers beneath the county, dissolving into water as it moves through the sediment. Arsenic, lead, chloride, nitrite, and nitrate enter from a mix of natural deposits, road salt, agricultural activity, and industrial sources. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated groundwater in this region.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with moderate iron as the main mineral characteristic. Iron concentrates here because water moving through the sandy aquifer naturally picks it up from the minerals in the sediment. Iron is common across wells throughout the county, though levels and presence vary from well to well.

Wells in Burlington County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, and the industrial chemicals PFOS, PFOA, and PFHXS. Arsenic can cause skin changes and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead harms children's brain development and affects kidney function in adults. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel during childhood. Nitrate and nitrite can interfere with how blood carries oxygen, especially in infants. PFOS, PFOA, and PFHXS are human-made chemicals linked to thyroid disease, liver damage, and immune system effects.

The mineral content in county wells is generally gentle. Iron appears at moderate levels and can stain sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown. The water is soft, so you are unlikely to see crusty white buildup on fixtures or experience shortened appliance lifespan from scale. Sodium and sulfate levels are low, so metallic tastes or other quality-of-life problems from minerals are uncommon here.

Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems can address multiple contaminants effectively.