Groundwater in Jones County contains manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners should be aware of these contaminants and consider testing to determine if their water is affected.
Manganese comes from the crystalline rock beneath the county. This rock naturally releases manganese as groundwater slowly moves through it over time. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial or commercial activities and landfills in the region. Because the crystalline rock here does not filter water as effectively as clay or sandy layers elsewhere, these chemicals can reach wells more easily once they contaminate the groundwater.
Groundwater in Jones County is soft and low in iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline rock here does not dissolve minerals the way limestone or other sedimentary rock does, so water remains relatively free of these metals and salts. These mild mineral characteristics are common across most wells in the county.
Wells in Jones County can contain manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Manganese affects brain and nervous system development, especially in children and babies. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that can build up in your body over time and may harm your immune system, thyroid, and liver. These contaminants do not cause immediate illness, but long-term exposure is a concern for family health.
The good news is that Jones County wells are soft and low in minerals like iron, sodium, and sulfate. You should not see staining, scale buildup, or changes to taste and odor from these minerals. Your water should look and taste normal from a mineral standpoint.
Testing is recommended so you know exactly what is in your well and can treat it properly. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals and these specific chemicals costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | 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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