Fulton County groundwater contains manganese, radon, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants require attention from well owners in the county.
Manganese and radon come naturally from the crystalline rock beneath the county, where these elements occur in the mineral structure. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals used in manufacturing and firefighting materials that have entered groundwater through industrial sites and contaminated soils over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft with low concentrations of iron, sodium, and sulfate, reflecting the chemistry of the crystalline rock aquifer. The hard granite and metamorphic rocks here do not dissolve easily, so minerals that make water hard do not accumulate in high amounts. Most wells in Fulton County show this same soft-water pattern.
Wells in Fulton County have been found to contain manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese exposure can cause nerve damage and problems with how your brain works, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals that build up in your body over time and can affect your immune system, liver, and thyroid. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters through cracks in foundations and increases your risk of lung cancer with long-term breathing.
The good news is that Fulton County wells have very soft water with low iron and sodium. Your water should not cause staining, scale buildup in pipes, or damage to appliances. You won't have the hard water problems that slow down water heaters and dishwashers in other areas. Taste and odor from minerals are not common concerns here.
We recommend getting your well tested right away since these contaminants are a serious concern in the county. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is typical here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water and what treatment you actually need. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, and these specific chemicals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon ventilation systems can address these contaminants once you know your levels.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 18 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 17 | 18% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 55 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Chloride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 22 | — | Moderate | 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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