Lenoir County groundwater contains iron, manganese, nitrate, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
Iron and manganese occur naturally in the sand and clay layers beneath the county. Nitrate enters groundwater from agricultural activity and septic systems in the area. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that have contaminated groundwater through industrial or military sites and aqueous film-forming foam use.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron and sodium present. The iron comes from minerals in the sandy coastal plain rock layers that dissolve into water as it moves through the ground. This moderate iron presence is common across many wells in the county.
Wells in Lenoir County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can cause problems with your body's ability to absorb nutrients and carry oxygen in your blood. Nitrate in drinking water is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen transport. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can build up in your body and affect your immune system and thyroid health.
The iron in county well water often leaves rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes that are hard to remove. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste. Iron buildup can also clog pipes over time. The good news is that your well water is soft, so you won't see scale deposits or shortened appliance lifespans from hardness.
Testing your well is the only way to know what contaminants are actually present so you can treat them properly. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and contaminants panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis filters or iron removal systems can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 62 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 57 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 65 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 70 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 85 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 74 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 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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