Groundwater in Lancaster County contains iron, chloride, and arsenic. Chloride and iron are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, which is a concern for well owners in this area.
Chloride enters the groundwater from saltwater pushing inland from the nearby coast, a problem common along this part of Virginia. Iron comes from the sandy and clay layers that make up the aquifer underneath the county. Arsenic occurs naturally in these same sediment layers as water moves through them slowly underground.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in sodium. This mineral dissolves from the sediment and rock as water sits in the ground for years, and it is widespread across wells throughout Lancaster County. The water is soft overall, with low iron levels and low sulfate, which sets it apart from many neighboring areas along the coastal plain.
Chloride and arsenic exceed EPA health standards in wells across Lancaster County. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with certain heart or kidney conditions, especially infants. Arsenic exposure over time raises the risk of cancer and can damage organs with long-term drinking. Both of these contaminants come from natural sources in the groundwater here.
County wells tend to have high sodium levels, which can affect people watching their salt intake for health reasons. The water here is soft, so you won't see much scaling on fixtures or in appliances. However, soft water can sometimes feel slippery and may require adjustments to cleaning routines.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your water. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county--testing is the only way to know for certain what treatment your water needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, options like ion exchange systems or reverse osmosis can address multiple concerns.
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 | 22 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 37 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 20 | — | Moderate | 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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