Groundwater in Sampson County contains iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These three contaminants are present at concerning concentrations and require attention from well owners.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sandy and clay layers that make up the aquifer beneath this area. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizer and animal waste in agricultural soils above, seeping downward into the water supply. All three contaminants are common findings across wells throughout the county.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with the iron and manganese dissolving from minerals in the sand and clay rock layers below. These metals concentrate in the water as it moves slowly through the aquifer. Most wells in Sampson County show elevated levels of these contaminants.
Wells in Sampson County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and nitrate. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can affect your blood and nervous system over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. These contaminants need attention to protect your family's health.
The iron and manganese in county wells can create rusty or brown staining on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. These stains are hard to remove and can be annoying to deal with regularly. The good news is that Sampson County's water is soft, so you won't have to worry about heavy scale buildup or shortened appliance lifespan.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know for certain so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars and can identify iron, manganese, nitrate, and other concerns. Treatment options like iron filters or aeration systems can help remove these 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 | 83 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 77 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 83 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 84 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 85 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 77 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 85 | — | Moderate | 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.
Loading recent water news…