Groundwater in Noble County contains manganese, iron, and PFOA, along with sulfate and lead. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards and are a serious concern for well owners.
The rock beneath Noble County is dark shale and coal-bearing stone from the Pennsylvanian period. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in this rock, iron and manganese dissolve directly into the water. PFOA and lead can enter from industrial activity and corroded pipes or well components.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the surrounding rock, along with high iron and sulfate. The slow movement of water through these tight rock layers allows minerals to concentrate over time. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Noble County contain iron, manganese, sulfate, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with lead. Iron and manganese are metals that build up in your body over time and can harm your brain and nervous system. PFOA is a chemical linked to serious health effects including cancer and liver damage. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can damage their developing brains and kidneys.
The very hard water in this county will leave stubborn orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or rotten egg odor from the high sulfate and iron. Scale will build up inside pipes and on appliances. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of your water heater, dishwasher, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well through a certified lab because 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. Given that multiple contaminants exceed health standards here, ask for a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like whole-house sediment filters combined with activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 27 | 92% | 7% · 4% · 89% | Moderate | High |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 67% | 33% · 0% · 67% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Iron | 84 | 56% | 33% · 11% · 56% | Moderate | High |
| Sulfate | 59 | 41% | 44% · 15% · 41% | Moderate | High |
| Lead | 15 | 21% | 60% · 20% · 20% | Moderate | High |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | 75% · 25% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Chloride | 48 | 0% | 96% · 4% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Fluoride | 14 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 30 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 48 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 11 | — | — | 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.
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…