Groundwater in Fayette County contains PFOS, arsenic, and chloride. PFOS is the only contaminant exceeding EPA health standards, while arsenic and chloride are present but at levels below health limits.
PFOS comes from human sources like firefighting foam and certain industrial products that have seeped into groundwater over time. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock underneath the county. Chloride can come from road salt, septic systems, or natural rock weathering. The hard crystalline rock here does not filter contaminants as effectively as softer sediment layers do in other areas.
Groundwater in Fayette County is soft, with very low levels of iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline rock and granite that form the aquifer do not dissolve easily into water, so minerals do not build up the way they do in limestone regions. Most wells in the county produce water with these same low mineral characteristics.
Wells in Fayette County have been found to contain PFOS, a human-made chemical that can build up in your body over time. Exposure to PFOS has been linked to health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and weakened immune function. Even small amounts consumed over many years can add up in your system. Testing your well is the best way to find out if PFOS is present in your specific water.
The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are generally low and balanced. Water in this area tends to be soft, which means you probably won't see staining from iron, scale buildup in pipes, or problems with soap and shampoo lathering. Your appliances should not experience the wear that comes with hard water. Overall, the mineral quality should feel normal for everyday use.
We recommend testing your well to know exactly what you're dealing with. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for PFOS and other contaminants runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Depending on results, options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove PFOS from your drinking water.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | 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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