Groundwater in Williamsburg contains chloride, fluoride, and hardness. Chloride levels exceed the EPA health standard, which is a concern that well owners should address.
Chloride in this area comes from saltwater that has moved inland from the ocean over time. The coastal plain sits low and close to the Atlantic, making it vulnerable to saltwater seeping into underground water supplies. This is especially true near the water's edge and in areas where groundwater has been pumped heavily.
Groundwater in this county is soft, but it carries very high sodium, which is the main mineral characteristic to know about. Sodium enters the groundwater naturally as water moves through sediment and rock layers in the coastal plain. High sodium levels are common across wells in this area due to the geology and proximity to the coast.
Chloride is the main concern in county wells that shows elevated health risk. High chloride can be hard on the heart and kidneys, especially for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. It can also affect people on salt-restricted diets. Testing is the only way to know if your specific well has elevated chloride.
County wells tend to have high sodium, which adds to the salt content you consume when drinking water. The water may taste salty or slightly bitter. Because the water is soft, you won't see scale buildup in pipes or appliances, which is a benefit.
We recommend testing your well for chloride and a full metals and minerals panel to see what you're dealing with. Every well is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 for a comprehensive panel and will tell you exactly what needs treatment. Ion exchange systems or reverse osmosis filters can reduce chloride and sodium if your results show high 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 14 | 57% | Low | High | |
| Fluoride | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Iron | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 14 | — | 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.
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