Robeson County, North Carolina: drinking water report. Robeson County in southeastern North Carolina has about 118,000 residents, with Lumberton as the…
Robeson County in southeastern North Carolina has about 118,000 residents, with Lumberton as the county seat and a large Lumbee Tribe population. The Lumber River and groundwater wells provide drinking water. The county's agricultural economy – tobacco, cotton, and hog farming – and its position downstream from industrial sources shape the water quality challenges.
Robeson County sits within the broader GenX contamination zone from Chemours' Fayetteville Works facility upstream on the Cape Fear River. While the Lumber River watershed is separate from the Cape Fear, atmospheric deposition of GenX and related PFAS compounds has been documented across southeastern North Carolina. According to NC DEQ's 2024 PFAS investigation, groundwater in Robeson County shows detectable levels of GenX-related compounds at 8 ppt in some monitoring wells.
Agricultural contamination compounds the picture. A 2024 NC DEQ study of private wells in Robeson County found that 12% exceeded the nitrate MCL, with the highest concentrations near concentrated hog operations. Bacteria detection rates were also elevated – 20% of tested wells showed coliform presence.
Robeson County has a high proportion of private well users, and many wells have not been tested recently. If you are on a private well, testing for nitrate, bacteria, and PFAS covers the primary concerns in this area.
Check your water for available data. For the combination of agricultural and industrial contaminants, reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap offers the broadest protection. For bacteria, UV disinfection at the wellhead is an additional step. Our water filter guide covers both. Pull your detailed report for local data, and visit our North Carolina page for statewide patterns.