Groundwater in Chatham County contains iron, manganese, and the industrial chemicals PFOS and PFOA. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards, and PFOA and PFOS do as well, making these contaminants a concern for well owners.
Iron and manganese come from the crystalline rock beneath this county. As water moves through cracks and spaces in the rock, it dissolves these metals naturally present in the stone. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that likely entered groundwater through past industrial or military activity, or from contaminated sites.
Groundwater in Chatham County is hard and notably high in iron. The crystalline rock that supplies the county's wells releases calcium, magnesium, and especially iron as water passes through it over time. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Chatham County commonly have iron, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese at elevated concentrations can affect children's brain development and cause neurological problems. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time and have been linked to serious health effects including cancer, liver damage, and immune system problems.
Hard water in county wells causes visible staining on fixtures and clothes. Orange or brown discoloration from iron buildup appears on sinks, toilets, and shower walls. The hard water can leave scale inside pipes and appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water and difficulty getting soap to lather.
We recommend a comprehensive testing panel for your well since multiple analytes exceed health standards. 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 what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars, and treatment options include activated carbon filters for PFOA and PFOS removal along with iron and manganese filters.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 15 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | 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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