Coastal communities on barrier islands also face saltwater intrusion in groundwater.
- Free in-home test, no obligation to purchase
- On-site testing of your water
- Written report of your results
- Trained local specialists
New Hanover County Water Quality Summary
- Water Source
- Cape Fear River (CFPUA)
- Primary Concerns
- PFAS/GenX, Lead, Disinfection Byproducts, Saltwater Intrusion
- Water Hardness
- Soft on CFPUA water (50 ppm average in 2025, CFPUA 2025 water quality report); wells vary
- Utility
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
Your water in New Hanover County
- Water utility
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and much of the unincorporated county
- Source
- The Cape Fear River (Sweeney plant) plus Castle Hayne and PeeDee aquifer groundwater (Richardson plant)
- Disinfectant
- Chlorine
- Hardness
- 50 ppm average in CFPUA's main system; 78 ppm in the Wrightsville Beach system (2025)
- Groundwater plant. CFPUA's 7 million-gallon-a-day Richardson plant treats Castle Hayne and PeeDee aquifer water with low-pressure reverse osmosis. (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report)
- Wrightsville Beach joined. CFPUA took over Wrightsville Beach water on Sept 30, 2025. A new main will let the town use more Sweeney plant water and rely less on its wells. (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report)
- Monterey Heights merged. The Monterey Heights area, about 5% of CFPUA customers and served by Castle Hayne aquifer wells, has been merged into CFPUA's main system. (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report)
Where we test
Also serving the Upstate: Greenville and Spartanburg
Cities & Communities We Serve in New Hanover County
- Wilmington
- Wrightsville Beach
- Carolina Beach
- Kure Beach
- Castle Hayne
- Ogden
- Myrtle Grove
Dedicated pages: Wilmington NC Water Testing
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is New Hanover County water safe?
CFPUA has taken steps to address GenX, but PFAS compounds remain a concern. Independent in-home testing is the only way to know your actual exposure level.
What is GenX in New Hanover County water?
GenX is a PFAS compound associated with discharges into the Cape Fear River, and it has been the subject of extensive state and federal regulatory attention in North Carolina. ClearFlow includes PFAS in its in-home testing.
How do I get a free water test in New Hanover County?
Call (910) 999-0117 or book online at cfwusa.com. ClearFlow serves all of New Hanover County.