Manganese, chloride, and iron are the main contaminants well owners should know about in King and Queen County. These are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and deserve attention.
These contaminants come from the rock and sediment beneath the county. As water moves slowly through layers of sand and clay, it dissolves minerals including manganese and iron that occur naturally in the earth. Chloride can enter groundwater from saltwater that seeps inland from coastal areas nearby.
Groundwater in this county is soft and elevated in sodium rather than hard minerals. The sandy and clay-rich layers that make up the aquifer system here allow water to pick up sodium but do not contribute heavy amounts of calcium or magnesium. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in King and Queen County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, and manganese. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with certain health conditions and damage the kidneys over time with repeated exposure. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and organs when present at high levels in drinking water over many years.
County well water tends to be soft, which is good for your pipes and appliances. However, the elevated sodium means the water has a salty taste that some people notice right away. Iron can create reddish or brown staining on fixtures and laundry, and manganese may cause dark stains as well.
We recommend testing your well water, since 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 and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you're dealing with. Water softeners and iron removal systems are two common treatment options.
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 | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 22 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
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