Gordon County's groundwater contains PFOA, PFOS, and arsenic. PFOA and PFOS exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals used in manufacturing and firefighting foam that have contaminated groundwater across this region. These chemicals enter the water through industrial sites, airports, and military facilities. Arsenic occurs naturally in the limestone and carbonate rock beneath the county. The rock slowly releases arsenic into groundwater over time.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. As water moves through carbonate rock, it dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. Iron is also present at moderate levels. Hardness and iron are common characteristics found across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Gordon County have been found to contain PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals that don't break down in the environment or your body. These chemicals can build up over time and have been linked to health problems including kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system effects. Exposure over many years is the main concern, especially for children and pregnant women. Testing your well is the only way to know if these chemicals are present in your water.
The good news is that Gordon County wells are not extremely hard, but they do have moderate hardness that can cause some everyday issues. You may notice white scale buildup on faucets and showerheads, and soap doesn't lather as well as it should. Hard water can also shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time. The iron present in county wells can leave reddish stains on fixtures and laundry.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to check for PFOA, PFOS, arsenic, and other contaminants, since multiple concerns exist in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 88% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 88% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 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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