Groundwater in Dinwiddie County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic. Iron and manganese are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sandy and clay layers that make up the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system beneath this county. As groundwater moves slowly through these sediments, it picks up these metals from the rock and soil. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these same layers and can accumulate in well water depending on local geology and depth.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and low to moderate levels of calcium and magnesium. The sandy and clay-rich geology here allows these minerals to dissolve into water as it flows underground. Moderate iron levels are common across wells throughout Dinwiddie County.
Iron and manganese are found at levels that exceed EPA health standards in wells across Dinwiddie County. Exposure to elevated iron can cause problems with your organs over time. Manganese at high levels can affect your brain and nervous system, especially in children and pregnant women. Arsenic also appears in some county wells and can increase health risks with long-term exposure.
Wells in this county are moderately hard, which means you may notice orange or reddish staining on fixtures, laundry, and surfaces from iron buildup. Water may have a metallic or bitter taste. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by building up scale inside them. You might see staining that is hard to remove from sinks and tubs.
We recommend testing your well right away with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your water. Every well is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are dealing with so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400, and treatment options like iron removal filters or water softeners can help address what you find.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | 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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