Groundwater in Nottoway County contains arsenic, chloride, and bacteria as the main contaminants well owners should watch for. Contaminant levels here are low and do not exceed EPA health standards.
Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that makes up the county's aquifers. Chloride and bacteria can enter wells from surface sources like septic systems and road salt, especially in areas where the rock is fractured or the ground surface allows water to seep down quickly. The hard crystalline rock beneath the county does not naturally filter out all contaminants, so wells positioned near potential sources are at higher risk.
Groundwater in Nottoway County is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium released from the crystalline rock as water passes through it. This hardness is a natural result of water dissolving minerals from the granite and related rocks in the area. Moderate hardness appears across many wells in the county.
Wells in Nottoway County have been found to contain arsenic, chloride, and E. coli bacteria. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk if you drink it over time. E. coli bacteria cause serious stomach illness and diarrhea. Chloride at high levels can harm people with heart or kidney problems.
County well water is moderately hard, which means you may see some white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Hard water can make soap less effective and may shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time. Your water's sodium and sulfate levels are low, so taste and odor problems from those minerals are not a common concern here.
We recommend testing your well right away because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, bacteria, and minerals typically costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water. Once you know your results, treatment options like filters, chlorination systems, or softeners can address whatever is found in your specific well.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | 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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