Georgia
Calhoun
Your water system exceeds federal PFAS limits. We recommend taking action.
- Population served
- 53K
- Systems tested
- 1
- Compounds detected
- 29
- Above federal limits
- 2
Source: EPA UCMR 5 · Samples collected 2023–2026
Read the full investigation
PFAS in Calhoun, GA: What Water Tests Revealed in Georgia's Carpet CapitalEPA testing of Calhoun's drinking water found PFOA at nearly four times the federal limit and PFOS at more than three times. The contamination traces back to decades of carpet treatment in the Dalton industrial corridor.
What was found in Calhoun’s water
2 PFAS compounds exceed federal drinking water limits in Calhoun’s water supply.
CALHOUN
Serves 53K people · SW
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
This compound is monitored under UCMR 5 but has no enforceable EPA drinking water limit yet.
About PFAS contamination in Calhoun
## Summary
Calhoun's municipal water system earned a D grade after testing revealed two "forever chemicals", PFOA and PFOS, at levels significantly above federal limits set by the EPA in 2024. PFOA was detected at 15.4 parts per trillion, nearly four times the federal limit of 4 ppt, while PFOS came in at 13.1 parts per trillion, more than three times the same 4 ppt limit. A third compound, PFHxS, was detected at 4.8 parts per trillion, below its federal limit of 10 ppt. Regulators and researchers have linked the contamination to PFAS discharges from the carpet manufacturing industry concentrated in the nearby Dalton area.
## What the data shows
Testing identified four PFAS compounds with measurable concentrations in Calhoun's water supply. Two of those, PFOA at 15.4 ppt and PFOS at 13.1 ppt, exceed their respective EPA limits of 4 ppt each. PFHxS was detected at 4.8 ppt, which falls below its 10 ppt federal limit. PFPeA was measured at 9.8 parts per trillion; no federal limit currently exists for that compound. Several additional PFAS compounds were tested but returned no reportable concentration.
## What residents should know
Given the D grade and the presence of two compounds above federal limits, residents may want to consider point-of-use filtration, certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis systems and NSF/ANSI 53 activated carbon filters are both recognized for reducing PFAS levels in drinking water. Ongoing 3M and DuPont legal settlements are directing funds toward affected communities in this region, and multi-county testing is continuing. Residents should contact the Calhoun water utility directly for the most current testing results and any remediation updates.
About this summary: Narrative text on this page was drafted by an AI model (claude-sonnet-4-6) from EPA UCMR 5 data and reviewed before publication. The numeric data above is reported by water utilities directly to the EPA. If you spot an error, email data@checkyourwater.org.
What happened next in Calhoun
A running record of how government, utilities, and the community have responded since this data went public.
- Legal
3M files counter-suit blaming carpet makers for north Georgia PFAS
Chemical giant 3M responded to the wave of north Georgia PFAS litigation by blaming carpet manufacturers, including those clustered around Calhoun, for the contamination of local drinking water supplies.
- Legal
Mohawk Industries sues chemical companies over PFAS exposure
Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries filed suit in Whitfield County Superior Court against 3M, DuPont, Daikin America, and Chemours, alleging the companies concealed the risks of PFAS in carpet stain-resistance products. Mohawk says it has already paid more than $100 million toward water treatment in affected communities.
- Legal
Calhoun settles Coosa River Basin Initiative PFAS lawsuit
The City of Calhoun agreed to a settlement with the Coosa River Basin Initiative requiring the city to install new filtration and treatment technology at its two drinking water plants, test private wells, and hire a third-party monitor to oversee compliance.
What Calhoun residents can do
Calhoun's water exceeds federal PFAS limits. We recommend residents take action:
- Install a reverse osmosis (RO) or activated-carbon water filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 for PFAS reduction. RO systems remove the widest range of PFAS compounds.
- Do NOT boil your water to remove PFAS. Boiling concentrates them.
- Request your most recent Consumer Confidence Report from your utility and ask when PFAS treatment will be installed.
- Contact your local elected officials and water utility board to demand a remediation timeline.
- Get independent water testing through services like Tap Score (mytapscore.com) if you want to verify your in-home levels.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about PFAS exposure, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have young children.
Primary contamination source: Carpet industry / Dalton-area PFAS discharge
Settlement information: 3M/DuPont settlements flowing; multi-county testing underway
Recent news on Calhoun
- State RegulationAtlanta Journal-Constitution · February 12, 2026
Bill to shield Georgia carpet companies from PFAS lawsuits advances
A Georgia legislative committee advanced a bill that would limit lawsuits residents can bring against carpet makers over PFAS contamination. Supporters say the bill protects the Dalton-area carpet industry from what they call open-ended liability. Opponents, including residents of Calhoun whose water was contaminated, say the bill would cut off the main legal tool people use to hold polluters accountable.
How Calhoun compares
Calhoun is one of 1 community we track in Georgia where PFAS levels exceed federal limits.
Where this data comes from
- Testing program: EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle (UCMR 5)
- Testing period: 2023–2026
- Federal limits: EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) finalized April 2024
- Methodology: Read how we calculate grades
- Raw EPA data: EPA UCMR Occurrence Data
This data reflects EPA testing. Your water utility may have more recent results. Contact them directly for the most current information.