Groundwater in Cumberland County contains chloride, iron, radon, arsenic, lead, and PFOS and PFOA. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. Chloride enters groundwater from road salt, septic systems, and saltwater intrusion near coastal areas. Iron occurs naturally in the sandy and clayey layers of the aquifer system here. Radon, arsenic, lead, and PFOS/PFOA come from natural rock decay, old industrial sites, and past disposal practices that have left residues in the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is characterized by moderate iron levels. Iron concentrates here because the sandy and clay-rich aquifer layers contain iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into the water as it moves through the ground. These characteristics are found in many wells across Cumberland County.
Wells in Cumberland County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, nerves, and bones. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. PFOS and PFOA are chemicals that can harm your immune system and liver. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney problems.
Iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Iron can also clog pipes and damage appliances over time. The good news is that other minerals like sodium and sulfate are at low levels in this county.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Water softeners, carbon filters, and radon removal systems address different 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 | 312 | 32% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 53 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 324 | 19% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 315 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 52 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 117 | 9% | High | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 514 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 204 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 318 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 248 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 274 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 292 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 117 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 309 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 343 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 453 | — | 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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