Groundwater in Gordon County contains PFOA, PFOS, and arsenic. PFOA and PFOS exceed EPA health standards, which is concerning and warrants testing and awareness.
PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater through industrial discharge, contaminated sites, and disposal of products containing these substances. Arsenic comes from natural dissolution of rock minerals as water moves through the limestone and carbonate layers beneath the county. All three contaminants can persist in groundwater for long periods.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolving from the limestone bedrock as water percolates downward. The carbonate rock naturally dissolves slowly over time, concentrating these minerals in the water. Hard water is common across wells throughout Gordon County.
Wells in Gordon County contain PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These chemicals are human-made and linked to serious health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and increased cholesterol. Exposure over time has also been connected to kidney cancer and testicular cancer. Children and pregnant women are especially at risk from these contaminants.
The county's water is moderately hard, which means you may see white buildup on faucets and fixtures or spots on dishes and glassware. Hard water reduces how well soap works for cleaning and can leave a film on skin and hair. Over time, moderately hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because of scale buildup inside the appliances.
We recommend a comprehensive testing panel for wells in this county, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well's water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 88% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 88% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | 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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