Groundwater in Sussex County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic that well owners should know about. Iron and manganese are present at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
These metals come from the rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through the underground sand and clay, it dissolves iron and manganese naturally from the surrounding material. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these rock layers and can leach into the water over time.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by iron and manganese concentrations. The coastal plain geology here contains these metals throughout, and they dissolve readily into water as it sits in the aquifer underground. Most wells across Sussex County show similar patterns of moderate hardness with elevated iron and manganese.
Wells in Sussex County contain iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Exposure to elevated manganese can harm your nervous system and affect how your brain works, especially in children. High iron levels in drinking water are a health concern over time. Both metals pose risks when consumed regularly at elevated amounts.
County well water has moderate hardness, which means you may see reddish or brownish staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes from iron deposits. The water might have a metallic taste or smell. These minerals can build up in pipes and reduce the efficiency of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like iron and manganese removal systems can address these concerns once you know your specific levels.
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 | 45% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 31 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 48 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 36 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 49 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 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.
* 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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