Groundwater in New Kent County contains manganese, iron, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations high enough that well owners should test and consider treatment.
These metals come from the sand and clay layers beneath the county. As water sits underground for years, it slowly dissolves iron and manganese from the rock surrounding it. Fluoride enters from minerals naturally present in these coastal plain sediments.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron and sodium as the main mineral features. Iron and sodium dissolve from the sandy and clay-rich layers that make up the aquifer system here. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county, though individual wells vary in their exact composition.
Fluoride, iron, and manganese are found at levels that exceed EPA health standards in wells across New Kent County. Fluoride at high levels can damage tooth enamel and bone health. Iron and manganese are metals that can build up in your body over time and harm your organs, including your brain and nervous system.
County wells with elevated iron can leave orange or brown stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. The iron can also clog pipes and damage appliances over time. Water in this county is soft, so you won't deal with scale buildup like harder water areas do.
Because every well is different, your water could have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county, and testing is the only way to know what's actually in your well. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Once you know your results, treatment options like carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 22 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 39 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| Fluoride | 42 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 47 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 47 | — | 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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