Groundwater in Medina County contains chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that well owners should address through testing and treatment.
These contaminants come from multiple sources in the county's rock and soil. Nitrate and chloride often enter groundwater from agricultural practices and septic systems. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the county's rocks and dissolve into water as it moves underground. Fluoride appears naturally in certain rock layers. Lead can leach from pipes and plumbing in older wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the underlying rocks. Hard water develops when water passes through limestone and calcium-rich rock layers, which dissolve minerals into the water. Very hard water is common across wells in Medina County.
Wells in Medina County show concerning levels of multiple contaminants. Chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate are found above EPA health standards in county wells. Lead damages children's brain development and causes kidney problems in adults. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can prevent oxygen from reaching the blood. Manganese harms the nervous system. Fluoride, chloride, and sulfate at high levels cause serious health effects with long-term exposure.
County wells also contain very hard water that creates real household problems. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, showers, and inside pipes. It makes soap less effective and leaves spots on dishes and glass. The extreme hardness here shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Staining from iron can discolor laundry and bathroom fixtures.
We recommend testing your well through a certified lab since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Water softeners and special filters can help address multiple concerns at once.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 928 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 473 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 1126 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 473 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 859 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 478 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 751 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 853 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 300 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 241 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 14* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 371 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 472 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 459 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 14* | 0% | 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.
* 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.
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