Groundwater in Coshocton County contains arsenic, lead, manganese, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate also exceed those standards, making this a serious multi-contaminant situation.
These contaminants come from the Pennsylvanian rock layers beneath the county--dark shale and coal-bearing stone that naturally contain arsenic, lead, and manganese. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in this tight rock, it dissolves these metals over time. Sulfate and chloride leach from minerals in the same layers. This is geology at work, not a problem with your well or land use.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The high sulfate levels add to that hardness. These mineral characteristics are common across wells in the county.
Wells in Coshocton County commonly show arsenic, lead, manganese, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time increases the risk of cancer and can harm your heart and kidneys. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can affect brain development and learning. Manganese at elevated levels can harm your nervous system and affect how your brain works. Fluoride above safe levels can damage tooth enamel in children.
The county's water is very hard, which means you will see white crusty scale buildup inside pipes, on faucets, and inside appliances. Iron staining may appear on sinks and laundry, turning them orange or brown. The high sulfate and sodium levels can make the water taste bitter or salty. Very hard water can also shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels 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. Consider water softeners paired with filters designed to remove arsenic and other metals.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 4 | 100% | 25% · 0% · 75% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Manganese | 3 | 100% | 33% · 0% · 67% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Arsenic | 19 | 50% | 26% · 26% · 47% | Moderate | High |
| Sulfate | 78 | 33% | 54% · 13% · 33% | Moderate | High |
| Fluoride | 22 | 14% | 59% · 27% · 14% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Chloride | 86 | 12% | 78% · 10% · 12% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Iron | 8 | 0% | 88% · 12% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrite | 32 | 0% | 97% · 3% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 5 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Sodium | 78 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 18 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 49 | — | — | Moderate | 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.
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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