Groundwater in Edgecombe County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
Iron and manganese come from the sand and clay layers beneath the county. These metals dissolve naturally as water moves through the rock. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that enter groundwater through land use, such as from firefighting foam at airports or military sites. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems in farming areas.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by iron and manganese from the natural sediments below. The sand and clay aquifer here releases these metals into water as it flows underground. This mineral character is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Edgecombe County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can build up in your body over time and affect your organs. Nitrate is especially risky for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can weaken your immune system and affect your liver. Each of these poses real health concerns even at levels found in some county wells.
County well water is moderately hard, which creates everyday problems in your home. Iron causes rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is stubborn to remove. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. Elevated iron can also clog pipes over time and reduce water pressure. These issues affect how your water looks and tastes, even though the hardness level is not extreme.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and PFAS panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like water softeners and activated carbon filters can address these concerns.
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 | 64 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 64 | 34% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 73 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 72 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 68 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 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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