Groundwater in Chatham County contains chloride, sulfate, manganese, fluoride, iron, and nitrate, along with PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
The shallow sandy and clay layers that make up the surficial aquifer sit close to the surface, where they pick up salt spray and saltwater intrusion from the nearby coast, introducing chloride. Sulfate and manganese come naturally from minerals in the soil and rock. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems, while PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals from industrial sources and consumer products that have contaminated groundwater in this region.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard and carries moderate levels of iron and sulfate. The sandy soils allow rainwater to dissolve minerals as it moves downward, and iron occurs naturally in the coastal sand layers beneath the surface. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county, though individual wells vary in their mineral content and contamination levels.
Wells in Chatham County have several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Nitrate, chloride, and sulfate can harm your kidneys and other organs if you drink contaminated water over many years. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals from industrial sources that can affect your liver, thyroid, and immune system. Iron and manganese at high levels can damage your organs, particularly your liver and nervous system.
The mineral content in county wells creates visible and annoying problems in your home. Iron causes reddish-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Manganese leaves black stains and can make water taste metallic. The moderately hard water leads to scale buildup inside pipes and on fixtures, reducing water flow and shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
Every well is different, and your water could contain higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to find out what is actually in your well so you can treat it correctly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese removal systems or whole-house filters can help address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 2030 | 54% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 279 | 30% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 38 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 57 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 92 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 92 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 234 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 160 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 92 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 147 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 224 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 92 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 161 | — | High | 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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