Groundwater in Carteret County contains iron, manganese, radon, chloride, and PFOS that well owners should be aware of. Several of these contaminants--iron, manganese, and radon--exceed EPA health standards, which means they deserve your attention.
These contaminants come from the county's geology and location. The rock layers here naturally contain iron and manganese that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the earth. Radon seeps up from radioactive minerals deep underground. Chloride enters from saltwater pushing inland through the coastal plain, especially in areas near the ocean.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shell layers below, along with very high iron content. The flat coastal plain and sandy layers allow water to sit in contact with rock minerals for a long time, concentrating calcium, magnesium, and iron. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Carteret County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sodium at elevated levels can affect heart health and blood pressure in vulnerable people. Iron and manganese above health limits can cause organ damage with long-term exposure. PFOS is a chemical that builds up in your body and can harm the immune system and thyroid. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over time.
The very hard water in county wells causes significant quality-of-life problems. Orange and brown staining appears on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. Soap and shampoo don't work well, and clothes come out dingy. Some people notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water.
Testing your well is the only way to know what contaminants are actually present in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Water softeners can reduce hardness, and specialized filters or treatment systems address chloride and radon.
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 | 23 | 61% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 23 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 36 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 34 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 36 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 36 | — | 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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