Groundwater in Dougherty County contains nitrate, arsenic, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and nitrate are the most concerning contaminants present in your county's wells.
These contaminants come from two sources. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizers and septic systems used on farms and in homes across the county. Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers beneath Dougherty County and dissolve into water as it moves through the ground.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The other rocks that make up your county's aquifer release these minerals into water over time. Hard water is widespread in Dougherty County wells.
Wells in Dougherty County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and nitrate. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause cancer and organ damage. Manganese at high levels harms your brain and nervous system, especially in children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can cause serious blood problems. Iron and chloride at elevated levels also pose health risks to your family.
The hard water in county wells leaves stains on fixtures and clothes, builds scale inside pipes and appliances, and can shorten the life of your water heater and dishwasher. You may notice a metallic taste or discolored water from the iron and manganese. Hard water makes it harder to clean with soap and can leave your skin and hair feeling dry.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what we see countywide. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, and special filters can address these issues depending on what testing shows.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 297 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 66 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 378 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 377 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 485 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 464 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 181 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 408 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 452 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 459 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 544 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | 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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