Groundwater in Nelson County contains PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals that exceed EPA health standards. These are serious contaminants that well owners should be aware of and test for.
PFOA and PFOS come from industrial use and contamination on the land surface. These chemicals seep down through soil and rock into the groundwater below. The Early Mesozoic basin rock here is permeable enough to allow this contamination to reach private wells.
Groundwater in Nelson County is soft and very low in iron, sodium, and sulfate. The basin rocks release few minerals into the water as it flows underground. Most wells in the county show this soft, clean mineral character.
Wells in Nelson County contain PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are human-made chemicals that don't break down in the body or environment. Exposure over time can affect the liver, thyroid, immune system, and other organs. Even at levels below what causes immediate symptoms, long-term drinking water exposure is a health concern worth understanding and addressing.
The good news is that Nelson County wells are soft with very low mineral content. You should not see staining from iron, scale buildup on fixtures, or shortened appliance lifespans from hardness. Your water should taste clear without salt flavor or metallic notes. Aesthetic water quality is not a major concern in this county.
Every well is different, and your specific well may have higher or lower levels of PFOA and PFOS than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive water panel that includes these chemicals along with bacteria and nitrate screening. Activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can remove PFOA and PFOS from drinking water.
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 | 12 | 17% | Low | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 17% | Low | High | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | 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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