Groundwater in Guernsey County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, and PFOA. These contaminants are present at concerning levels, with iron and manganese showing very high concentrations and multiple analytes exceeding EPA health standards.
The rock beneath Guernsey County is Pennsylvanian shale and sandstone. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in these layers, iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock. Arsenic, chloride, and fluoride also leach from minerals in the stone. Old coal mining and oil and gas activity in the region have added to chloride and fluoride levels in some areas.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the shale and sandstone. Iron dissolves naturally from the rock and appears at very high levels. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Guernsey County carry arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is the most serious concern--long-term exposure raises the risk of cancer and damage to organs like the kidneys and heart. Chloride and fluoride at elevated levels can cause digestive problems and tooth damage. Iron and manganese are metals that can build up in your body over time and harm your nervous system and brain development. PFOA is a chemical linked to kidney problems and other health issues.
Wells in this county are extremely hard, meaning they have very high mineral content. You will likely see white crusty scale buildup inside pipes and on fixtures. Iron staining shows up as orange or brown discoloration on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The high sodium and sulfate levels can give water a salty or bitter taste. Hard water this severe can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because scale clogs the equipment.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because multiple analytes exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different--your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can include treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange softeners paired with arsenic-removal filters.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 94 | 83% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 94 | 69% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 64% | Low | High | |
| Arsenic | 68 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 37 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 94 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sodium | 94 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 68 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 11 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 70 | — | 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.
* 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.
Loading recent water news…