Cape May County groundwater contains manganese, iron, chloride, and radon that well owners should track. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These metals and salt come from the sandy and gravelly layers that make up the aquifer beneath the county. Iron and manganese occur naturally when water moves through these sediments. Chloride, especially at higher levels near the coast, comes from saltwater intrusion where ocean water pushes into freshwater aquifers, a problem that worsens closer to the shore.
Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and sodium. The sandy aquifer naturally releases iron as water filters through, and sodium concentrations reflect both the coastal setting and mineral content of the sediment layers. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Cape May County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, and radon above EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can be dangerous for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Iron and manganese can damage your organs and nervous system with long-term exposure, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over time.
County well water often has elevated sodium and moderate iron, which creates visible problems in your home. Iron stains clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures orange or brown. High sodium can make your water taste salty and may leave a bitter flavor. These minerals can also build up scale inside pipes and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county--testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water and how to treat it. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or radon removal systems can address these concerns once you know what you're dealing with.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 344 | 33% | High | High | |
| Iron | 357 | 32% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 3051 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 195 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 375 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 316 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 153 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 10 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 128 | 0% | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 79 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 452 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 368 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 861 | — | 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.
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