Well Water in Durham County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Durham County contains PFOS, PFOA, manganese, and chloride at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that warrant attention from well owners.

PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals that entered the environment through industrial use and products like firefighting foam. Manganese occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that makes up the county's aquifer, where water dissolves it over time. Chloride can come from road salt, septic systems, and the weathering of rock minerals in areas with active development.

Groundwater in Durham County is marked by moderate iron content from the crystalline rock beneath the surface. Water passing through these ancient rocks picks up dissolved iron as the stone slowly breaks down. Iron at these levels is a common trait in wells across the county, though specific levels vary from well to well.

Wells in Durham County commonly have chloride, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride can affect people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Manganese harms brain development in children and can cause nervous system problems in adults. PFOA and PFOS are "forever chemicals" that build up in your body and have been linked to kidney disease, thyroid problems, and cancer risk.

Iron in county wells creates orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. While mineral levels here are generally not extreme, the iron can leave a metallic taste and create buildup in pipes over time. These stains are mostly a hassle rather than a health issue, but they are frustrating to clean.

We recommend testing your well to learn what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and harmful chemicals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Depending on what testing shows, options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove many of these contaminants.