Groundwater in Jackson County contains PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals, along with arsenic occurring naturally in the rock. PFOA and PFOS are present at levels that exceed EPA drinking water health standards and warrant attention.
PFOA and PFOS come from industrial use and contamination sources, likely including manufacturing facilities, airports, or military installations in the area or upgradient. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that underlies this county and dissolves into groundwater as water moves through fractures and mineral-bearing layers.
Groundwater in Jackson County is soft with low sodium and sulfate, making it chemically balanced overall. Iron is present at moderate levels, which comes from the iron-bearing minerals in the crystalline bedrock common to this region. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in the county due to the uniform geology.
Wells in Jackson County contain PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. These chemicals accumulate in your body over time and can affect your liver, thyroid, and immune system. They have been linked to developmental problems in children and may increase cancer risk with long-term exposure.
The county's well water is naturally soft with moderate iron content. You may notice rust-colored staining on fixtures, dishes, or laundry. Some wells have a metallic taste, though this varies from well to well.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here, we recommend a comprehensive panel that checks for PFOA, PFOS, arsenic, and other metals and minerals--this typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these chemicals from your water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 39 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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.
Loading recent water news…