Groundwater in Fayette County contains pfos, arsenic, and chloride. Pfos is present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, while arsenic and chloride are detected at lower levels.
Pfos is a human-made chemical that enters groundwater through industrial activity, firefighting foam use, and wastewater. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock beneath the county and dissolves into water as it flows through. Chloride can come from road salt, septic systems, or the rock itself. The hard crystalline rock that makes up the aquifer here does not naturally filter out these contaminants as effectively as softer rock types do.
Groundwater in Fayette County is soft with low levels of iron, sodium, and sulfate, all driven by the composition of the crystalline rock forming the aquifer. The hard granite and metamorphic rocks here do not contain the calcium and magnesium minerals that create hardness, and they release iron and sulfate slowly into the water. Most wells in this county show these same soft-water characteristics with minimal mineral content.
Wells in Fayette County have been found to contain PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. PFOS is a human-made chemical that can build up in your body over time and cause health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system effects. Even though PFOS is invisible and odorless, it poses real health risks when consumed in drinking water over months and years.
The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are quite low. Iron, sodium, sulfate, and hardness are all at levels that should not cause staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems in your home. Your water heater and dishwasher should not experience early wear from mineral buildup.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive testing panel that checks for PFOS along with other metals and minerals, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters can remove PFOS from your drinking water.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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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