Groundwater in Cherokee County contains arsenic, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should have their water tested and consider treatment options.
Arsenic and manganese come from the natural rock beneath Cherokee County. The Valley and Ridge aquifers here contain minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the stone. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial use, manufacturing sites, or contaminated runoff in areas where these chemicals were handled or disposed of improperly.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron present. The rock in the Valley and Ridge aquifers releases iron into the water as it flows underground. Iron and the presence of these contaminants mean many wells in Cherokee County have water that differs noticeably from what you might find in neighboring counties with different rock types.
Wells in Cherokee County have been found to contain arsenic, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over many years of drinking. Manganese affects your nervous system and can cause problems with movement and thinking. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals that build up in your body and can harm your immune system and liver.
The good news is that Cherokee County wells are generally soft, so you probably won't see heavy staining or scale buildup from minerals. You may notice some orange or brown tinting from iron, but this is mainly a cosmetic issue rather than a serious problem. The water should taste and smell normal in most homes.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals and chemicals, since multiple contaminants are a concern here. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know exactly what is in your specific well. Your results will show you whether treatment like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis is needed for your home.
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 | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Lead | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 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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