Well Water in Lee County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Lee County contains PFOS, PFOA, iron, chloride, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels and well owners should test their water to know what they are drinking.

PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals that come from industrial activity, firefighting foam, and other commercial uses in populated areas. Iron occurs naturally in the groundwater here because it dissolves from the sandy and clay layers that make up the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system. Chloride and sulfate also come from both natural rock layers and human sources like road salt and industrial discharge.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with moderate iron as the main mineral characteristic. Iron concentrates here because the sandy and clay sediments of this coastal plain aquifer naturally contain iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into water. These mineral levels are common across wells in Lee County.

Wells in Lee County sometimes contain PFOS and PFOA, which are industrial chemicals that can build up in your body over time and affect your immune system, liver, and thyroid. Chloride and sulfate have also been found at levels above EPA health standards in some county wells. These minerals in high amounts can cause problems for people with certain health conditions, especially those who need to watch their salt intake.

The good news is that wells in this county generally have soft water and low sodium, so you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. Iron shows up at moderate levels in some wells, which can leave rusty stains on laundry and fixtures if present in your water.

We recommend getting your well tested to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than average for the county. A comprehensive testing panel that checks for metals, minerals, and PFOS/PFOA typically costs between $200 and $400. Water testing is the only way to know if treatment like carbon filters or ion exchange is needed for your specific well.