Groundwater in Glynn County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should address through testing and treatment.
The shallow groundwater in this area picks up these contaminants from natural sources and human activity. Saltwater from the ocean seeps into coastal aquifers and raises chloride levels. Sulfate comes naturally from the sandy and clay layers that hold the water. Nitrate and some metals enter from fertilizers, septic systems, and the sandy soil that doesn't filter well. Radon comes from natural radioactive decay in the rock below.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high sulfate and elevated calcium and magnesium minerals. The sandy layers and clay that make up the shallow aquifer here release these minerals into the water as it moves through. Most wells in Glynn County show this hard water character with high sulfate levels.
Wells in Glynn County have been found with arsenic, nitrate, radon, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can cause a serious blood condition. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time. Manganese at high levels can affect your nervous system and brain development in children.
The very hard water in county wells creates real problems at home. You will see white scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap less effective, leaving your skin and hair feeling sticky. Your water heater and dishwasher will wear out faster because of the mineral buildup. The high sulfate levels can give water a bitter taste and rotten egg smell.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have much higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs to be treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel usually costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options include reverse osmosis systems for arsenic removal and water softeners for hardness.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 16136 | 46% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 674 | 37% | High | High | |
| Radon | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 49 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 93 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 88 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 572 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 86 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 364 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 279 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3301 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | 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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