Wells in the Lower Cape Fear
Private wells are common in unincorporated New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. Besides PFAS, wells here can carry iron, hydrogen sulfide and hardness, and shallow wells near the coast can pick up salt.
After major storms such as Hurricane Florence in 2018, flooded wells should be disinfected and tested before the water is used again. Keep that in mind each hurricane season.
Well or utility water?
Around Wilmington, water comes from several utilities:
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) serves Wilmington and much of New Hanover County.
- Brunswick County Public Utilities serves much of Brunswick County.
- H2GO serves parts of Leland and Belville.
- Pender County Utilities serves parts of Pender County, including the Hampstead area.
If none of these bill you for water, your home is most likely on a private well.
Who tests a private well?
In New Hanover County, County Environmental Health oversees private wells and offers well water testing, and eligible wells can get state-ordered PFAS sampling (NC DEQ).
Our free in-home test covers iron, hardness, pH and dissolved solids on the spot. Bacteria, nitrates and PFAS need a certified lab, and we will walk you through those options.
Building the right treatment
Well systems are built in stages: sediment filtration, an oxidizing filter for iron and sulfur, a softener if the well is hard, UV if bacteria is a concern, and reverse osmosis for drinking water. Most wells need only some of them. Read about iron in well water, rotten-egg smells and what well treatment costs.
What happens at your free test
Your free test measures hardness, chlorine or chloramine, iron, pH and total dissolved solids at your tap, and you keep the written report. We recommend a treatment system only if your results call for it. How the free test works.
Where we work around Wilmington
We test homes across Wilmington, Leland, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Hampstead.
Sources
- CFPUA: Sweeney Treatment Enhancements Project (GAC filters)
- CFPUA: annual drinking water quality report
- New Hanover County: drinking water safety and private wells
- NC DEQ: PFAS well sampling for Lower Cape Fear residents
Frequently asked questions
Is my Wilmington-area well eligible for free PFAS sampling?
Private drinking water wells in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties may qualify for sampling paid for by Chemours under a state order. NC DEQ lists the details and how to request it.
How often should I test my well?
Public health guidance is to test a private well at least once a year for bacteria, and again after flooding, repairs, or any change in taste, smell or color.
Can a water softener fix iron?
Sometimes, for low levels of dissolved iron. Higher levels or iron bacteria need a dedicated iron filter.