Well Water in Chatham County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Chatham County contains chloride, sulfate, manganese, fluoride, iron, nitrate, and PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are high enough that well owners need to be aware of them and take action.

The coastal location of Chatham County makes it vulnerable to saltwater intrusion, which brings chloride and sulfate into the shallow groundwater. Nitrate and PFOA and PFOS come from human sources like septic systems, fertilizer use, and industrial activity. Manganese and iron occur naturally in the sandy and clay layers that make up the surficial aquifer system.

Groundwater in this county is moderately hard and contains moderate levels of iron and sulfate. These minerals come from the sand, clay, and organic-rich layers that hold water near the surface, where groundwater moves relatively quickly and picks up dissolved minerals and contaminants from land activities above. Most wells in the county show these mineral characteristics and elevated contaminant levels.

Wells in Chatham County have been found to contain several contaminants above EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate can affect people with certain heart or kidney conditions. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental problems, especially in children. Nitrate is a concern for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. PFOA and PFOS are "forever chemicals" that build up in your body over time and have been connected to health problems including liver damage and thyroid disease. Iron and manganese above safe levels can also pose health risks with long-term exposure.

The minerals in county well water create everyday problems around the house. The moderate hardness causes scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes and appliances. Iron stains laundry, sinks, and toilets with orange or brown marks that are hard to remove. You might notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water. Hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because of mineral deposits inside them.

We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed EPA standards in this county. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems, ion exchange softeners, or activated carbon filters can address different contaminants depending on your results.