Groundwater in Gloucester County contains radon, chloride, and PFOA as the main contaminants well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, including chloride, PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, sulfate, and radon, making this a serious water quality concern.
These contaminants come from different sources. Radon seeps naturally from uranium in the sandy and gravelly layers beneath the county. Chloride and sulfate enter the groundwater from the rock itself and also from road salt and industrial activity on the surface. PFOA and PFOS are man-made chemicals that were used in firefighting foam and industrial products and have leaked into the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is moderately high in sodium, which comes from the minerals in the sand and gravel layers here. The moderate sodium levels reflect how water dissolves minerals as it moves through these coastal plain sediments. Most wells in Gloucester County show these characteristics.
Wells in Gloucester County contain chloride, PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, sulfate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases cancer risk with long-term exposure. PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS are human-made chemicals linked to thyroid disease, liver damage, and immune system problems. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can harm people with certain health conditions.
The mineral content in county wells creates quality-of-life concerns. Sodium at moderate levels may affect people watching their salt intake. You may notice a slightly salty taste or some white crusty deposits on fixtures, though the hardness here is not extreme enough to cause major staining or appliance damage.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed standards in this county. Every well is different, and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so proper treatment can be chosen. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis can address PFAS and other 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 51 | 28% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 95 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 159 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 29 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 161 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 161 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 161 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 161 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 92 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 18 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 159 | — | 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.
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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