Groundwater in Jackson County contains pfoa and pfos, which are human-made chemicals used in industrial products and firefighting foam. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards in this area and warrant attention from well owners.
These chemicals come from human activity rather than natural geology. Pfoa and pfos reach groundwater through industrial discharge, contaminated sites, and runoff from areas where aqueous film-forming foams were used--such as airports and military bases. The crystalline rock aquifer here has natural fractures that can allow these chemicals to move downward into drinking water supplies.
Groundwater in Jackson County is soft with moderate iron levels. The iron comes from the crystalline bedrock that contains iron-bearing minerals, and it dissolves into water as it flows through small cracks and spaces in the rock. Most wells in this county show similar soft water quality, though iron levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Jackson County have been found to contain PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals that can build up in your body over time. These chemicals have been linked to health concerns including liver damage, thyroid problems, and changes in cholesterol levels. Because these chemicals stay in your body, exposure from drinking water is a concern even at low levels.
The mineral content in county wells is generally balanced and should not cause major problems. Iron levels are moderate, which means some wells might develop a slight metallic taste or cause rusty staining on fixtures and laundry, but this varies from well to well. Overall, the water in this county is soft, so you would not face the scale buildup and appliance damage that comes with very hard water.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for PFOA, PFOS, metals, and minerals typically costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know for certain what treatment your well needs. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these chemicals if testing shows they are present in your water.
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 | 39 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 39 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 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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