Groundwater in Troup County contains PFOA, chloride, and fluoride. PFOA exceeds EPA health standards and requires attention, while chloride and fluoride are present at lower levels.
PFOA is a human-made chemical used in industrial processes and firefighting foams that has entered groundwater through contamination sources in the area. Chloride and fluoride occur naturally in the crystalline bedrock that underlies this county and are released into water as it moves through cracks and spaces in the rock.
Groundwater in Troup County is soft, with very low levels of sodium and sulfate that keep the water light and clean-tasting. The crystalline rock beneath this area does not contain the minerals that make water hard, so most wells here produce naturally soft water without excess minerals dissolved from the stone.
PFOA is found in wells across Troup County at levels that exceed EPA health standards. PFOA is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body over time. Exposure to PFOA has been linked to health problems including high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and liver damage. Children and pregnant women are especially at risk from this contamination.
The good news is that wells in Troup County tend to be soft with low sodium and sulfate levels. This means you are unlikely to see orange staining, scale buildup on fixtures, or salty taste in your water. Your water heater and dishwasher should not face early damage from mineral buildup.
Testing your well is the only way to know if PFOA or other contaminants are present in your specific water. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive water test that includes PFOA and other contaminants of concern, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Activated carbon filters can help remove PFOA from your drinking 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 | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | 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.
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