Groundwater in Sussex County contains radon, iron, pfoa, pfos, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Sulfate also exceeds its limit, making these contaminants a real concern for well owners in this area.
The carbonate rock beneath Sussex County naturally holds radon, arsenic, and iron in its cracks and spaces. When water moves through these rocks, it picks up radon gas and dissolves arsenic and iron from the stone. Road salt applied to county roads contributes sulfate and other minerals that seep down into the groundwater.
Groundwater in Sussex County is soft, with moderate iron that comes from the natural composition of the carbonate bedrock below. As slightly acidic rainwater moves through the fractured limestone and related rocks, it dissolves iron and other minerals. Iron at these moderate levels appears commonly in wells across the county.
Wells in Sussex County commonly exceed EPA health standards for sulfate, iron, arsenic, radon, PFOA, and PFOS. Arsenic exposure over time can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that, when breathed in from water vapor, increases your risk of lung cancer. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body and can affect your immune system and liver. These contaminants have no taste, smell, or color, so testing is the only way to know if they are in your well.
The mineral content in county wells is generally balanced. Iron at moderate levels sometimes creates reddish-brown staining on fixtures and laundry. Your water is soft, so you should not experience heavy scale buildup on pipes or appliances. Some people notice a metallic taste from the iron, but overall the water quality for everyday use is manageable.
We recommend a comprehensive water test since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address radon and the industrial chemicals.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 72 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 73 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Uranium | 31 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 59 | 17% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 178 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 179 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 176 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 148 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 116 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 156 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 138 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 73 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 179 | 0% | High | Low | |
| pH | 191 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 166 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 165 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 74 | — | 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.
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