Groundwater in Cherokee County contains PFOA, PFBS, and PFHXS, which are human-made chemicals used in industrial and commercial products. Contaminant levels here are low and do not exceed EPA health standards.
These chemicals accumulate in groundwater through contamination from manufacturing sites, landfills, and other industrial activities. They persist in the environment and move slowly through rock and soil, so once they enter groundwater they can stay there for a long time. The carbonate rock in this area does not naturally filter them out, so they remain in the water once present.
Groundwater in Cherokee County is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the carbonate limestone and rock below. As water flows through limestone, it dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. This elevated hardness appears across most wells in the county.
Wells in Cherokee County contain some chemicals called PFOA, PFBS, and PFHXS at levels of concern. These are human-made chemicals that don't break down in the environment or your body. They can build up over time and may affect your immune system, liver, and thyroid with long-term exposure.
Water quality data for this county does not show problems with minerals like iron or hardness that cause staining, scale buildup, or bad taste and odor in household water.
We recommend getting your well tested to see what is actually in your water, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A basic screening test costs around $50 to $100 and checks for bacteria and nitrate. If you want to know about the chemicals found in Cherokee County, testing specifically for PFOA, PFBS, and PFHXS is available. Once you know your results, activated carbon filters can help remove these chemicals.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | 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 →Loading recent water news…