Groundwater in Clayton County contains PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals used in industrial products and firefighting foam. These chemicals exceed EPA health standards and require attention from well owners in the area.
PFOA and PFOS come from industrial sites, airports, and military facilities where these chemicals have been used or stored. Once in the ground, they move slowly through the rock and can reach drinking water wells over time. The crystalline rock beneath Clayton County does not filter these chemicals out effectively.
Groundwater in Clayton County is soft with low levels of salt and sulfate, making it relatively clean in mineral content. The hard crystalline rock here does not dissolve easily, so few minerals enter the water. Most wells in this county show these same soft-water characteristics.
Wells in Clayton County have been found with PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. These chemicals are called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment and in your body. Exposure to high levels can harm your liver, thyroid, and immune system, and may affect child development and pregnancy.
The good news is that Clayton County wells are generally soft and low in minerals like sodium and sulfate. You probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems from minerals in your water.
We recommend testing your well for PFOA and PFOS right away, since these chemicals have been detected in the county. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than others nearby. A comprehensive testing panel runs $200-400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange can remove these chemicals from your drinking water.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 67% | Low | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 67% | Low | High | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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