Groundwater in Calhoun County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, fluoride, and two industrial chemicals called PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should test their water and know what they are drinking.
These contaminants come from natural sources and human activities. Manganese and iron occur naturally in the rock and soil beneath the coastal lowlands. Arsenic also appears from natural rock layers. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have leaked into groundwater from past manufacturing and military sites. Fluoride can come from both natural deposits and industrial sources in this area.
Groundwater in this county is moderately high in iron, which comes from minerals in the coastal soil and rock layers that dissolve into water as it moves underground. Iron is a common characteristic across wells in Calhoun County and neighboring coastal areas that tap into the same aquifer system.
Wells in Calhoun County show several contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese can damage your organs over time, especially your kidneys and bones. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body and can affect your immune system and liver. Because these chemicals don't taste or smell, you cannot detect them without testing.
Iron and manganese in county well water create orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. These minerals leave deposits and scale inside pipes and water heaters, which can shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. The water may taste metallic or look discolored coming from the tap.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Depending on results, treatment options include activated carbon filters for chemicals or water softeners for minerals.
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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