Well Water in Brunswick County: What to Test and Why

High Risk
Testing Strongly Recommended 10916 samples analyzed
Top Concerns in This County
Manganese Iron Radon

Why This Happens Here

Groundwater in Brunswick County contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and radon--all of which exceed EPA health standards in your county's wells. These are serious concerns that deserve your attention and testing.

The crystalline rock underneath Brunswick County naturally contains these metals and radon. As groundwater flows through cracks and spaces in this hard rock, it dissolves iron, manganese, arsenic, and lead from the minerals present. Radon seeps in from the radioactive minerals embedded in the bedrock itself. This is the geology you live on--the source is natural, not pollution from human activity.

Groundwater in this county is soft and notably high in iron. The iron comes directly from the breakdown and dissolving of iron-rich minerals in the crystalline bedrock. Iron at elevated levels shows up in a significant share of wells across Brunswick County, making it one of your water's defining characteristics.

What This Means for You

Wells in Brunswick County show arsenic, lead, radon, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can damage organs and increase cancer risk. Lead harms brain development in children and affects kidney function in adults. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed over years. Manganese at elevated levels can affect the nervous system and cause learning problems in children.

Iron in county wells creates staining on fixtures, laundry, and surfaces. You may notice orange or brown discoloration in sinks and toilets. Iron can leave a metallic taste in drinking water and coffee. The good news is that county groundwater is soft, so you won't deal with scale buildup on pipes and appliances.

We recommend testing your well for a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Every well in Brunswick County is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Arsenic and radon removal systems and iron filters can address these concerns once you know your levels.

Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.

Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →

Contaminant Detection Data

Contaminant Samples % Above MCL Distribution Confidence Risk
Manganese 78 58% 31% · 12% · 58% Moderate High
Iron 96 50% 40% · 10% · 50% Moderate High
Radon 8 38% 62% · 0% · 38% Low High
Lead 26 27% 69% · 4% · 27% Moderate High
Arsenic 27 11% 74% · 15% · 11% Moderate Moderate
Nitrite 13 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Low
Sulfate 45 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Moderate Low
HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
PFHxS ⓘ municipal 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
PFNA ⓘ municipal 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
PFOA ⓘ municipal 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
PFOS ⓘ municipal 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
Chloride 26 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Moderate Low
Fluoride 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Low
Uranium 3 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Low
Total Coliform 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
E. coli 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
pH 12 Low Low
Fecal Coliform 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
Sodium 24 Moderate Low
Nitrate 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
Hardness 31 Moderate Low
PFBS ⓘ municipal 3 100% · 0% · 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.

Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.

Order a Tap Score Test →

Population Health Context

Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.

5.6%
Cancer Prevalence
(state avg: 6.7%)
3.5%
Kidney Disease Rate
(state avg: 3.1%)
8.8%
Heart Disease Rate
(state avg: 6.7%)

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