Iron, manganese, and nitrate are the main contaminants in Caroline County groundwater that well owners should know about. These metals and the nutrient exceed EPA health standards in this county.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sandy and clay layers that make up the aquifer beneath Caroline County. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems in the area, seeping down through the soil into the water below.
Groundwater in Caroline County is soft, with moderate iron being the main mineral characteristic. The sandy sediments of the coastal plain naturally release iron as water passes through them over time. Iron appears in many wells across the county at similar levels.
Wells in Caroline County commonly contain iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Elevated nitrate poses risks to infants and pregnant women, potentially causing serious blood oxygen problems. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and organ function with long-term exposure. Because multiple contaminants are present, testing your well is especially important.
The iron in county wells can cause orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You might notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. These minerals can build up inside pipes and reduce water flow over time. The good news is that county groundwater is soft, so you will not face the scale problems that hard water causes.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like ion exchange systems or reverse osmosis filters can address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 29 | 31% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 31 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 423 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 435 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Chloride | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 465 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 37 | — | 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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