Groundwater in Jones County contains manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should monitor.
Manganese occurs naturally in the crystalline rock beneath Jones County and leaches into groundwater over time. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that have entered the groundwater through industrial activities, firefighting foam use, or contaminated sites. Both sources--natural mineral dissolution and human pollution--affect the county's water.
Groundwater in Jones County is soft and low in common minerals like iron and sulfate, which means the water has few aesthetic issues from mineralization. The crystalline rock here does not contain significant deposits of minerals that would harden water or create discoloration. These characteristics are consistent across most wells in the county, making the water pleasant in terms of mineral content.
Wells in Jones County show elevated levels of manganese, PFOA, and PFOS compared to EPA health standards. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and cause problems with movement and coordination. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in the body over time and have been linked to health concerns including thyroid problems and immune system effects.
The good news is that Jones County wells tend to have very soft water with low iron, sodium, and sulfate. This means you probably won't see orange staining, crusty buildup, or salty taste in your water. Your appliances should not experience early wear from mineral damage.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel testing for metals and chemicals runs about two hundred to four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your well needs. Filters and other removal systems exist for these contaminants once you know what you are dealing with.
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 | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | 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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