Groundwater in Brunswick County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic. Iron and manganese levels exceed EPA health standards in this county's wells.
The crystalline rock beneath Brunswick County naturally releases iron and manganese as groundwater slowly moves through cracks and fractures in the stone. Arsenic also occurs in these rock types. Water sitting in contact with this bedrock over time picks up these metals from the minerals present.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low calcium and magnesium levels. The water is notably high in iron, which comes from the crystalline bedrock. These metal concentrations are common across wells throughout the county.
Iron and manganese are found at unhealthy levels in wells across Brunswick County. Iron can damage your organs over time, especially your heart and liver. Manganese affects your brain and nervous system development, which is especially serious for children and babies. Arsenic is also present in some county wells and builds up in your body, raising the risk of cancer and organ damage.
Wells in this county are soft, so staining and scaling are not major issues. However, the high iron creates orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water. Some wells have water that looks cloudy or discolored.
We recommend testing your well right away because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will show you exactly what you're dealing with. Treatment options like iron filters or whole-house systems can remove these metals from your water.
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 | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | 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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