Groundwater in Camden County contains radon, chloride, arsenic, and industrial chemicals called PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough to warrant testing and attention from well owners.
The sand and gravel layers beneath Camden County sit in a coastal plain that collects contaminants from multiple sources. Radon comes naturally from rock decay deep underground. Chloride and arsenic enter from a mix of natural deposits in the rock and human sources like road salt and industrial activity. The industrial chemicals PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS were manufactured and used in factories and airports in this region, and they have persisted in groundwater.
Groundwater in Camden County is not notably hard or iron-rich based on mineral testing. Iron, sodium, and sulfate all remain at low levels, which means the water here has a mild mineral character. The sandy geology allows water to move through without dissolving large amounts of minerals from rock. These gentle mineral conditions are typical across most wells in the county.
Wells in Camden County commonly have PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, arsenic, chloride, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease, immune problems, and kidney damage. Arsenic can cause skin problems and increase cancer risk over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that raises lung cancer risk when breathed in over many years. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney conditions.
The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are generally low. You are unlikely to see staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems from iron, sodium, or sulfate. Your appliances should not suffer shortened lifespans from hard water minerals.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon ventilation systems can address these specific concerns once you know your results.
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 | 986 | 56% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 975 | 53% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 126 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 127 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 308 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Radon | 59 | 2% | Moderate | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1447 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 296 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 664 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 126 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 1021 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 362 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 127 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 869 | 0% | High | Low | |
| pH | 1077 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 979 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 1000 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 127 | — | High | 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…