Groundwater in Coffee County contains radon, arsenic, and chloride. Radon is the only contaminant exceeding EPA health standards here, so it deserves attention, while arsenic and chloride are present but at lower levels of concern.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of radioactive elements in rock and soil beneath the county. Arsenic and chloride enter groundwater from the same natural sources in the shallow rock layers that supply drinking water wells. The sandy and loose rock material of this surficial aquifer system does not filter out these naturally occurring substances as effectively as deeper, denser rock would.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock layers below. This hardness is a normal result of water moving slowly through the county's subsurface geology and picking up minerals along the way. Very hard water is the typical condition across wells throughout this area.
Radon shows up in wells across Coffee County at levels above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from natural rock underground. When radon gets into your home through well water, it can increase your risk of lung cancer over time, especially with long-term exposure. This is a serious health concern that deserves your attention.
Wells in this county have very hard water, which causes real problems around your home. Hard water leaves scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, and it can actually shorten how long these appliances last. You may notice white crusty deposits on faucets and shower heads, and soap doesn't clean as well as it should. Your water may also taste a bit flat or leave spots on dishes and glassware.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know for certain what treatment your family needs. A comprehensive panel that checks for radon, metals, and minerals typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Radon can be removed with aeration systems, and hard water responds well to water softeners.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | 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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