Groundwater in Cherokee County contains arsenic, manganese, and two human-made chemicals called PFOA and PFOS. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention from well owners.
Arsenic comes naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. As water moves slowly through these materials over time, it picks up arsenic and releases it into the groundwater. PFOA and PFOS are manufactured chemicals that enter groundwater through industrial activity and contaminated sites on the land surface. Manganese also occurs naturally in the local rock and concentrates in the water as it flows underground.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron content. Iron comes from minerals in the surrounding rock that dissolve as water passes through. These characteristics are found across many wells in the county, though levels vary from well to well depending on location and depth.
Wells in Cherokee County commonly contain arsenic, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese affects the nervous system and can cause problems with movement and learning, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that build up in your body over time and have been linked to health concerns including liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system effects.
The minerals in county well water are present at low to moderate levels. Iron can leave rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and surfaces. The water is naturally soft, which means you won't experience the scale buildup and reduced appliance lifespan that comes with hard water in other areas.
We recommend having your well tested with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since several contaminants of concern have been found in this county. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can remove many of these contaminants.
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 | 26 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Chloride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | 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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