Groundwater in Ashland County contains iron, manganese, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant immediate testing of your well.
Iron, manganese, and lead dissolve naturally from the bedrock as water seeps slowly through cracks and spaces in the rock layers below. Chloride enters from road salt applied to roads during winter months and also occurs naturally in the deep groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the bedrock as water moves through it. Iron concentrates in the water as it passes through iron-bearing rock layers underground. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Ashland County.
Wells in Ashland County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead damages children's brains and nervous systems and can harm kidney function in adults. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and cause nervous system problems. Chloride at high levels can raise blood pressure in people who are salt-sensitive. Iron itself is not directly toxic but can cause problems with blood oxygen transport at very high levels.
Wells in this county produce moderately hard water with elevated iron, which means you may notice rust-colored or brown staining on laundry, bathroom fixtures, and pipes. Iron can give the water a metallic taste and odor. Over time, the moderate hardness can build scale on pipes and inside water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. These mineral deposits are stubborn and hard to clean.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since multiple analytes exceed EPA standards. Every well is different, and your well 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Iron removal systems and aeration can help address several of these concerns.
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 | 52 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 80 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 78 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 92 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 89 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 83 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 77 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 58 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 117 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…