Groundwater in Troup County contains PFOA, chloride, and fluoride. PFOA is present at levels that exceed the EPA health standard, which is a concern that well owners should take seriously.
PFOA is a human-made chemical used in industrial processes and firefighting foams, often found near airports, military bases, or manufacturing sites. Chloride and fluoride can come from rock dissolution, road salt in some areas, or industrial sources. The crystalline rock that makes up this county's aquifer is naturally resistant to many contaminants, which helps keep most well water clean.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sulfate. The hard crystalline rock beneath the surface does not dissolve easily into water like softer limestone does, so minerals do not build up in the groundwater. Most wells in Troup County show this same pattern of soft water with low mineral content.
Wells in Troup County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for PFOA, a chemical that builds up in your body over time. PFOA exposure has been linked to health effects including high cholesterol, liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system problems. Children and pregnant women may be especially vulnerable to these effects. This is a serious concern that deserves your attention.
The good news is that wells in this county tend to have soft water with low sodium and low sulfate levels. This means you probably won't see the staining, scale buildup, or salty taste that plagues many other areas. Your appliances should not experience premature wear from mineral deposits. Water quality for everyday use should feel normal.
We recommend getting your well tested right away, since PFOA requires a specialized test and every well is different. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county, and testing is the only way to know what you're actually dealing with. A comprehensive contaminant panel typically costs $200-400 and will tell you exactly what needs treatment. Treatment options include activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems designed specifically for PFOA removal.
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 | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 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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