Groundwater in Houston County contains PFOS, PFOA, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough to warrant attention from well owners.
PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater through industrial discharge and contaminated sites. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock layers deep underground as water moves slowly through them over time. The county's geology--deep layers of sandstone and other rock--allows water to stay in contact with these minerals long enough for them to accumulate.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The slow movement of water through deep rock layers allows these minerals to dissolve and concentrate in the water. These characteristics are common across wells throughout Houston County.
Wells in Houston County commonly contain PFOS and PFOA, which are human-made chemicals that build up in your body over time and can affect the liver, thyroid, and immune system. Iron and manganese also exceed health standards in county wells. Elevated manganese exposure can harm brain development and learning, while iron at high levels in drinking water poses separate health concerns.
County wells have very hard water, which leaves chalky white scale on pipes, fixtures, and inside appliances. You may notice rusty-brown staining on sinks and laundry from the elevated iron. Hard water also makes soap less effective and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The water might taste metallic or have an unpleasant odor.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your specific well needs. Iron removal systems and water softeners can address these concerns once you know your water's composition.
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 | 9 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 135 | 28% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 20% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 61 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 121 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 167 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 135 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 121 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 76 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 133 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | 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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