North Carolina is leading the way in terms of households relying on Private Wells as their main source of drinking water. In fact, one in four households in the state depend on these wells. However, it is concerning to note that these wells are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and most of them are not tested for contaminants, particularly in low-income areas.

A new Study published in Environmental Justice, conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has revealed that the testing and treatment of private wells significantly vary according to race and income, despite similar contamination levels across the research areas.

Lead author Andrew George, the community engagement coordinator in the Center for Public Engagement at UNC’s Institute for the Environment, expressed his concern, stating, “Although we found alarming levels of well water contamination in our study, what’s most troubling is that not everyone was equally aware of the problem.”

George further explained, “Toxic metals in drinking water cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled, which means only households that test their private wells can identify and address any problems. However, we discovered significant disparities in testing and treatment rates between different income and racial groups.”

The research team assessed the contamination levels of metals in private wells and analyzed the differences in water quality and well stewardship among demographic groups. Shockingly, over 67% of wells tested in the study exceeded federal or state drinking water standards. Additionally, the researchers found that white, affluent households were ten times more likely to test their wells and four times more likely to treat their water compared to low-income, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) households.

This lack of testing and treatment may result in a disproportionate burden of exposure to dangerous contaminants for low-income, BIPOC households. Over time, consuming contaminated water can lead to health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, preeclampsia, neurological disorders, elevated blood lead levels, and increased instances of waterborne illnesses.

The study focused on regions affected by the 2018 Hurricanes Florence and Michael, specifically Robeson, Northampton, Chatham, and New Hanover counties. These communities were concerned about coal ash and other waste contaminating their water supplies due to widespread flooding caused by the hurricanes.

To improve the recruitment of participants in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, which are disproportionately affected by pollution, the research team utilized Community Engaged Research (CEnR) Strategies. These strategies involve collaboration with community-based organizations and neighborhood leaders and include community members in all stages of the research process, fostering trust between researchers and the community. Additionally, the researchers shared the results of the study with the participants, ensuring better understanding and potential actions to protect health, further strengthening the bond between the community and researchers.

Kathleen Gray, a co-author of the study and research associate professor at the UNC Institute for the Environment, emphasized the need for strategic efforts to increase well testing and improve treatment in communities dependent on private wells for drinking water. Gray stated, “Without engaging EJ communities, research into private wells will continue to exclude the most marginalized, underserved populations. We hope our findings can inform efforts to direct policy interventions and community resources where they are needed most.”