Groundwater in Ashland County contains radon, manganese, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride also exceeds the EPA standard for sodium-sensitive populations.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in these rocks, radon seeps directly out, while iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the minerals in the stone. Chloride accumulates as water sits in contact with the bedrock over long periods.
Groundwater in Ashland County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale layers below. The slow movement of water through these rock layers means minerals concentrate in the water over time. Very hard water and elevated iron are widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Ashland County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, and radon. Manganese at elevated levels can harm your nervous system and brain development over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that seeps from the rock and increases the risk of lung cancer with long-term exposure. Iron and chloride don't pose direct health risks at the levels found here, but they contribute to the overall water quality picture.
The extremely hard water in county wells leaves thick white or crusty scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and appliances. High iron causes orange and reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances can have their lifespan shortened by this extreme hardness. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. 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 whole-house system combining water softening, iron filtration, and radon mitigation may be needed.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 51 | 80% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 66 | 64% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 779 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 681 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 89 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 29 | — | 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.
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