Groundwater in Calhoun County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, fluoride, and PFOA and PFOS compounds. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from two sources. Manganese, iron, and arsenic occur naturally in the coastal lowlands rocks beneath the county. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have entered the groundwater through land use, likely from industrial sites, military facilities, or other sources where these chemicals were handled or disposed of.
Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese from the rock layers below. The coastal plain sediments here release these metals into water as it moves through the ground. Moderate to elevated levels of these metals appear across many wells in the county.
Wells in Calhoun County contain arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is toxic and can damage your organs over time with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can affect your bones and teeth. Iron and manganese can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can affect your liver and immune system.
Iron in county wells creates rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in the water. These mineral deposits can also build up inside pipes and reduce water flow over time.
We recommend testing your well right away since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel will show you exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like iron filters or arsenic removal systems can help protect your family.
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 | 33 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 33% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 51 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 33 | 24% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 17% | Low | High | |
| Fluoride | 120 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | 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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