Groundwater in Effingham County contains PFOA and PFOS, two human-made chemicals that do not occur naturally. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards in this county's wells and require attention from well owners.
PFOA and PFOS come from industrial and commercial activities, firefighting foam, and contaminated sites that leach these chemicals into the shallow groundwater below. The Surficial aquifer system sits close to the land surface, making it vulnerable to these kinds of pollution from human sources. Neighboring counties with the same shallow aquifer type show similar issues, pointing to a regional pattern tied to how near the water sits to surface activities.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rocks and soil. The shallow aquifer picks up these minerals as water moves through sand and clay layers near the surface. Iron and sulfur remain low across the county, so most wells here have straightforward mineral content without unusual aesthetic problems beyond the moderate hardness.
Wells in Effingham County contain PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. These are human-made chemicals that build up in your body over time and can harm your liver, thyroid, and immune system. Children are especially vulnerable to these chemicals. Arsenic also shows up in some county wells and poses serious health risks, including increased cancer risk and damage to organs with long-term exposure.
The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are generally low, so you probably won't see much staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. The water is moderately hard, which is normal and shouldn't cause major issues with your appliances or everyday use.
We recommend getting your well tested right away for PFOA, PFOS, and arsenic since these chemicals are a real concern in this county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your specific well. A comprehensive testing panel for these contaminants typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. If your well contains these chemicals, treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can remove them.
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 | 33% | Low | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 33% | Low | High | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Iron | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Iron | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | 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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