Groundwater in Clayton County contains PFOA and PFOS, two human-made chemicals that well owners need to know about. These contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
PFOA and PFOS come from human activities and industrial sources, not from the natural rock below. They enter groundwater through contamination pathways in the soil and move down into the water supply where wells draw from them. This county's crystalline rock does not naturally release these chemicals, but human sources in the area have introduced them into the water cycle.
Groundwater in Clayton County is soft, with low levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. The crystalline rock that makes up the aquifer here does not dissolve easily and does not release high concentrations of hardness minerals into the water. Most wells in the county show this same soft water character, making mineral content a minor concern compared to the PFOA and PFOS issue.
Wells in Clayton County have been found to contain PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These human-made chemicals can build up in your body over time and have been linked to serious health problems including kidney disease, thyroid problems, and weakened immune function. Because these chemicals do not have a taste, smell, or color, you cannot detect them without testing.
The mineral content in county wells is actually quite good news for your home. Your water is soft, which means you won't experience stubborn staining on fixtures or buildup of scale inside pipes and appliances. You should not have problems with unpleasant tastes or odors from minerals, and your water heater and dishwasher should not suffer the damage that hard water causes.
We recommend testing your well for PFOA and PFOS right away. Every well in Clayton County is different, and your water might have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for these contaminants costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your well. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these chemicals from your water.
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 | 12 | 67% | Low | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 67% | Low | High | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | 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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