Well Water in New Kent County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in New Kent County contains manganese, iron, radon, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations your well water may contain and warrant testing and potentially treatment.

These metals and radon come from the sandy and clay layers that make up the aquifer beneath New Kent County. Water flowing through these sediments dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the rock, while radon seeps in from radioactive elements in the same layers. Chloride can enter from saltwater intrusion near the coast and from road salt or other surface sources that work down into the groundwater.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with iron at moderate levels being the main mineral character. Iron concentrates in the water as it moves slowly through the sandy aquifer, where it leaches from minerals in the sediment. Iron at moderate levels is found in a significant portion of wells across New Kent County.

Wells in New Kent County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can harm people with certain heart and kidney conditions. Manganese can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in children and developing babies. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases the risk of lung cancer. Iron and manganese together create additional health concerns when they build up in your body over time.

The moderate iron levels in county wells cause orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or a rotten egg smell from the iron and manganese combination. These minerals don't damage your appliances much since the water is naturally soft, but the staining and taste problems are real and frustrating for daily life.

Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. We recommend a comprehensive testing panel to check for all the contaminants of concern in your area. Testing typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and radon removal systems can address these problems once you know your specific levels.