Local Water Guides
Wilmington Water Quality Guide: PFAS, Private Wells and Filters (2026)
Published · Updated · 10 min read
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Wilmington water quality depends on which system serves your address. Most Wilmington and New Hanover County customers get water from the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), which treats Cape Fear River water at its Sweeney plant and groundwater at its Richardson plant. Homes in Brunswick and Pender counties, and homes on private wells, can be in very different situations.
This guide explains where the water comes from, what has been published about GenX and other PFAS in the lower Cape Fear, and how to read your utility's annual report. It also covers private-well issues such as iron and saltwater, and how to match a filter to a specific concern. Everything here is a summary of public sources, not a test of your water.
Where does Wilmington's drinking water come from?
CFPUA's Sweeney Water Treatment Plant draws from the Cape Fear River. Local reporting says Sweeney supplies about 80% of CFPUA customers (Port City Daily).
CFPUA also runs the Richardson Water Treatment Plant, which serves northern New Hanover County. It uses groundwater from the Peedee aquifer and treats it with nanofiltration membranes (Port City Daily). Nanofiltration is part of the Richardson groundwater plant, not the river plant.
Brunswick County Public Utilities is a separate system. Its 2024 report says about 80% of its water is surface water from the Cape Fear River above Lock and Dam #1, treated at the Northwest plant. About 20% is groundwater from Castle Hayne aquifer wells at the 211 plant near Southport (Brunswick County 2024 report). Leland and Hampstead addresses may be served by different providers, so check your bill.
How is the water treated and disinfected?
After the GenX discovery, CFPUA added granular activated carbon (GAC) filters at Sweeney. The $43 million project ran from November 2019 and the filters came online in 2022. Local reporting describes eight filters with a combined capacity of 44 million gallons a day (Port City Daily). CFPUA says the filters keep Sweeney water under EPA's new PFAS levels (WilmingtonBiz).
Brunswick County is building low-pressure reverse osmosis at its Northwest plant. Its project page puts completion by September 2026 and says a 2018 pilot reduced most PFAS to undetectable levels (Brunswick County). Check the county's current report to see whether it is running.
Chlorine or chloramine?
Brunswick County's 2024 report lists chloramines as its disinfectant, with a running annual average of 2.21 ppm. Your own provider's report states what it uses. Chloramine does not boil off and standard carbon filters handle it less readily than free chlorine. That matters for fish tanks, dialysis and some home brewing. See our guide to removing chloramine for the general approach.
What is the GenX and PFAS history in the lower Cape Fear?
GenX and other PFAS from Chemours' Fayetteville Works plant reached the Cape Fear River upstream of Wilmington. A CFPUA engineering memo reports an average GenX concentration of 631 ng/L in the river in a 2016 study, and notes that Chemours stopped discharging GenX wastewater in June 2017 (CFPUA technical memorandum).
Groundwater has also been tested. In 2019, local reporting described high PFAS readings in an offline CFPUA storage well and some Richardson supply wells, with no PFAS detected in treated Richardson water (Port City Daily). That reporting is several years old. Use the current report for current numbers.
On the federal side, EPA's 2024 rule set limits of 4.0 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX), plus a hazard index for mixtures. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping the PFOA and PFOS limits while allowing extra time, and rescinding the other limits. These are proposals, so check EPA's PFAS page for the current status.
How do you read your Water Quality Report?
Every community water system publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). For CFPUA customers, start at cfpua.org and search for the water quality report. Brunswick County customers can use the county's published water quality report.
- Confirm the report year and that it names your provider.
- Find the source water section. Is your water river, groundwater or a blend?
- In the contaminant table, compare the detected level with the legal limit (MCL) and note the range, not only the average.
- Find the PFAS section. Note which compounds were tested and whether results are reported in parts per trillion (ppt).
- Check the disinfectant: chlorine or chloramine, and the residual level.
- Look for hardness. Brunswick County's 2024 report lists an average of 28.07 but does not state units, so read the units on any report before comparing.
- Read any notices about violations, lead sampling or special monitoring.
You can also request a free local water report to go with your utility's data.
Why do some Wilmington-area homeowners still filter?
- PFAS concerns. Some people want a second layer of protection given the river's history, even where the utility reports treatment.
- Chloramine or taste. Disinfectant taste and odor are common reasons for under-sink carbon filters.
- Private wells. Well water is not treated by a utility. Its quality depends on local geology and land use.
- Old plumbing inside the home. Treated utility water can pick up metals from fixtures and older pipes.
- Fish tanks and medical uses. Chloramine needs a specific approach.
Whether a filter is worth it depends on your results. Our guide on whether you need a whole house filter walks through the question.
Do lead pipes matter in Wilmington?
A 2024 report said CFPUA's survey, begun in 2020, found no lead service lines but did find galvanized pipes that could have lead connectors, and that CFPUA planned to replace those (WilmingtonBiz). Check CFPUA's current inventory for your address.
EPA says lead pipes are more likely in homes built before 1986, and that testing is the only reliable way to know your lead level. Lead action level is 15 ppb. EPA lists typical lab costs of $20 to $100 (EPA). Older homes also have plumbing inside the house the utility does not control.
What about private wells in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties?
Wells are common in parts of all three counties outside utility service. NC DEQ says iron exceeded the 300 ppb standard in 16.94% of well samples in 2018-2019, likely from natural soil and rock conditions, and the chloride standard of 250 ppm in 0.51% of those samples (NC DEQ). Those are statewide figures, not Wilmington-specific.
Saltwater intrusion
A USGS assessment of New Hanover County aquifers notes that production wells at Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach show rising chloride from saltwater intrusion, and that shallow wells near tidal creeks may add risk (USGS). If your well water tastes salty or corrodes fixtures, ask your county health department about chloride testing.
PFAS and free well sampling
Under a consent order, Chemours offers free PFAS sampling of private wells in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties for eligible households. Eligibility is set by DEQ and may change, so read NC DEQ's well sampling page. It lists replacement-water thresholds, and says GAC systems and reverse osmosis are among the options. New Hanover County also describes the program on its drinking water safety page.
For wells, see our well water filtration guide. It was written for the Charlotte area, but the testing logic is the same.
Wilmington-area situations: what should you do?
| If you... | Then... |
|---|---|
| Are on CFPUA water in Wilmington or New Hanover County | Read the current CFPUA report. Test inside your home only if you have older plumbing or a specific concern. |
| Are in Leland, Brunswick County or Hampstead | Confirm your provider, then read that provider's report. Do not rely on the Wilmington report. |
| Are on a private well | Test bacteria yearly and other items on the NC DHHS schedule. Request free PFAS sampling if you may qualify. |
| Live near the coast or tidal creeks on a well | Ask the county health department about chloride testing. |
| Notice orange stains or a metallic taste | Iron is a common cause in NC wells. Get a lab test before buying equipment. |
| Have a home built before 1986 | Test for lead at the tap using a certified lab. |
| Keep fish or have dialysis needs | Ask your provider whether it uses chloramine, and use treatment designed for it. |
When should you test your water?
NC DHHS recommends private-well owners test for coliform bacteria yearly, for heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, lead and copper every two years, and for pesticides and VOCs every five years. Retest after repairs, flooding, or any change in taste, color or smell (NC DHHS). Your county health department can arrange testing through the State Laboratory of Public Health or point you to a state-certified lab.
City-water customers have fewer routine needs. Consider testing after plumbing work, if you have a lead concern, or if taste or color changes.
Which treatment option fits which concern?
| Concern | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| PFAS at the tap | Reverse osmosis or activated carbon certified for PFAS reduction (look for NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 with a PFAS claim) |
| Chlorine taste and odor | Activated carbon certified to NSF/ANSI 42 |
| Lead | Filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead |
| Chloramine | Catalytic carbon or another approach designed for chloramine |
| Iron and manganese (wells) | Oxidation and filtration sized to a lab result |
| Hardness | Softener certified to NSF/ANSI 44 |
| Salty water (wells) | Reverse osmosis at a tap; whole-house options depend on chloride level |
| Bacteria (wells) | Fix the cause and disinfect; consider UV after testing |
Filters and softeners do different jobs. See whole house filter vs. water softener. For general cost ranges, see whole house filter cost. On PFAS, read our PFAS guide. These were written for Charlotte, so local prices will vary.
What should you ask an installer?
- Which lab test or utility report is your recommendation based on?
- Is the product certified to an NSF/ANSI standard for the specific contaminant I care about?
- How often are filters or membranes replaced, and what does that cost per year?
- Does the system affect water pressure or waste water?
- What does the warranty cover, and who services it locally?
- Will you provide the recommendation in writing, including what the system will not remove?
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilmington, NC tap water safe to drink?
CFPUA publishes annual and ongoing test results, and says its Sweeney GAC filters keep PFAS under EPA's levels. Read the current report for your provider to see detected levels against legal limits.
Where does Wilmington get its water?
CFPUA treats Cape Fear River water at the Sweeney plant, and Peedee aquifer groundwater at the Richardson plant using nanofiltration.
Does Wilmington water have GenX?
GenX was found in the Cape Fear River in 2016-2017. CFPUA added GAC filters at Sweeney in 2022. Check the latest report for current results.
Does Wilmington use chloramine or chlorine?
Check your provider's report. Brunswick County lists chloramines in its 2024 report. Your own utility's report states its disinfectant.
Is Brunswick County or Leland water different from Wilmington's?
Yes, it can be. Brunswick County is a separate utility with its own plants and reports, and it is building reverse osmosis. Confirm your provider from your bill.
Can I get my private well tested for PFAS for free?
Eligible households in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties may qualify under the Chemours consent order. Eligibility is set by NC DEQ, so check its well sampling page.
Why does my well water leave orange stains?
Iron is a common cause in NC wells and is often natural. Get a lab test before choosing treatment.
What filter removes PFAS?
Reverse osmosis and some activated carbon filters can, if certified for PFAS reduction. Look for NSF/ANSI certification and confirm the specific claim on the certifier's listing.
Written by the Carolina Water Filtration team
We help Charlotte-area homeowners understand their water and choose the right treatment. Questions? Get in touch.