Groundwater in Tift County contains nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners in this county should take these contaminants seriously and test their water.
These contaminants come from two main sources. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizers and septic systems used on farms and in homes across the county. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the surficial rock layers and soil that make up the aquifer system here, and they dissolve into water as it moves through the ground.
Groundwater in Tift County is soft, with very low iron and manganese in the water measured overall. The rock and soil in this area do not hold large amounts of minerals that would make water hard or change its character significantly. Most wells in this county produce water with these low mineral levels, though individual wells can vary depending on their depth and location.
Wells in Tift County have been found with iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese in drinking water can cause problems with your blood and nervous system over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and young children, who can get very sick if they drink water with high nitrate levels. These three contaminants appearing together in county wells means testing your water is important right away.
The good news is that wells in this county tend to be soft, so you probably won't see heavy staining, scale buildup, or damage to your water heater and dishwasher like families in harder water areas do. Your water should taste and smell normal from a mineral standpoint.
We recommend getting your well tested for a comprehensive panel that covers metals, minerals, and bacteria. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. A full panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese can often be removed with filtration systems or aeration.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 57 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 52 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Iron | 52 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 59 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 66 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 14 | — | Low | Safe |
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…