Groundwater in Moore County contains iron, manganese, and the human-made chemicals PFOS and PFOA. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this area, making them a concern for well owners.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sand and clay layers that make up the aquifer beneath Moore County. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater through contamination from industrial sites, military installations, or firefighting foam used at airports and other facilities.
Groundwater in Moore County is soft, but it contains elevated iron that drives its mineral character. Iron concentrates here because the sandy aquifer allows iron to dissolve from surrounding sediments. High iron levels show up across many wells in this county, though individual wells vary.
Wells in Moore County commonly contain iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and organ function with long-term exposure. Nitrate poses particular risk to infants and pregnant women, interfering with oxygen transport in the blood. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that accumulate in the body and have been linked to health effects including liver damage and immune system changes.
County well water with elevated iron often leaves orange or brown stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. A metallic or unpleasant taste in the water is common. While Moore County has soft water, which is generally good for appliances and plumbing, the iron still causes visible staining and can create an unpleasant smell when water sits. These stains are primarily an aesthetic and cleaning concern rather than a health issue.
Your well may have higher or lower levels than what is typical in the county, since every well is different. A comprehensive metals and chemicals panel is recommended to find out exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400. Depending on results, treatment options might include activated carbon filters for PFOA and PFOS removal, or iron and manganese filters for mineral 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 | 19 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 14 | 43% | Low | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 91 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 91 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 91 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 13 | — | Low | 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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