PFOA and PFOS are present in Effingham County groundwater at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards. Both contaminants demand attention from well owners in this area.
PFOA and PFOS come from human activities rather than natural geology. These chemicals enter groundwater through industrial discharge, firefighting foam use at airports or military sites, and disposal of contaminated materials. The shallow surficial aquifer in this county allows surface pollutants to reach drinking water supplies more easily than deeper rock layers would.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the sand and clay that make up the surficial aquifer system. This moderate hardness is common across wells throughout the county, reflecting the mineral composition of the loose sediment that stores and delivers your water.
PFOA and PFOS are found in wells throughout Effingham County at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These chemicals build up in your body over time and can affect your liver, thyroid, and immune system. They have also been linked to high cholesterol and cancer risk. Because these chemicals don't break down naturally, exposure over many years is the main concern for your family's health.
The water in this county is moderately hard, which means you may notice some scale buildup on faucets and shower heads. Hard water can also make soap less effective when you wash clothes and dishes. While the mineral levels here are not extreme, moderately hard water can gradually shorten the life of water heaters and dishwashers by causing buildup inside the equipment.
We recommend getting your well tested for PFOA, PFOS, and arsenic right away. Your well's contamination levels could be higher or lower than what is common in the county, and testing is the only way to know what you are actually drinking. A comprehensive panel that checks for these chemicals and other metals runs between $200 and $400. Depending on your test results, treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove 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 | 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 | |
| Fluoride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Iron | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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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