Well Water in Orange County: What to Test and Why

Manganese, iron, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate are present in Orange County's groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require your attention.

These metals and salts come from two sources. The coastal lowlands rock here naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into water as it moves underground. Chloride, nitrate, and fluoride enter from seawater intrusion near the coast and from agricultural and industrial activity inland.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron and high sodium as the defining minerals. The coastal plain geology releases iron naturally, while saltwater mixing near the shore adds sodium and chloride to the water. Iron and sodium-bearing water appears across many wells in this county.

Wells in Orange County commonly contain chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride and fluoride at elevated levels can harm kidney function and increase health risks for certain populations. Iron and manganese pose risks to the nervous system with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness in young children.

The high sodium content in county wells gives water a noticeably salty taste. Iron in the water leaves rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your tap water from these minerals. These stains are hard to remove and build up over time on surfaces you use every day.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards in this area. 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 you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars, and treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange filters can address multiple contaminants at once.