Well Water in Licking County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Licking County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. The concerning severity of these contaminants, combined with elevated chloride and sulfate, requires immediate attention from well owners.

These contaminants come from the bedrock beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the rock layers. Arsenic also occurs naturally in certain minerals within the stone. Chloride and sulfate leach from minerals present in the same formations.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other rock below. Iron concentrations are very high, adding to the mineral load in the water. These hard water and elevated iron characteristics are widespread across wells in the county.

Wells in Licking County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Manganese at elevated levels can harm brain development and function. Iron and sulfate themselves do not pose direct health risks at the levels seen here, but chloride at high levels is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets.

Your water is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white or yellowish crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron at very high levels causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The combination of extreme hardness and high iron and sulfate can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may also notice a rotten-egg or metallic taste or odor.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, as multiple analytes exceed standards. 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 it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Treatment options like water softeners combined with arsenic-removal systems can address these concerns.