Chloride, iron, manganese, and lead are present in Ashtabula County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention. These elevated contaminants represent a serious concern for well owners.
The county sits on mixed rock types that naturally release iron and manganese as water moves through cracks and spaces. Chloride enters from road salt applied during winter months, and lead seeps into water where it contacts aging pipes or certain soil conditions in this fractured bedrock environment.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by elevated calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock, with iron adding to this hardness. The fractured rock layers beneath the county naturally contain these minerals, which dissolve as groundwater moves through them over time. Hard water with high iron content is common across most wells in this county.
Chloride, iron, lead, and manganese exceed EPA health standards in wells throughout Ashtabula County. Lead is especially dangerous for children because it damages brain development and can affect learning and behavior. Manganese at elevated levels can harm the nervous system and affect memory and coordination. Chloride and iron at these concentrations pose serious health risks that require attention.
Wells in this county have very hard water that causes thick white or tan scale buildup on pipes and inside water heaters and dishwashers. Iron leaves orange and reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. High sodium means the water may taste salty. The extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours 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 metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like water softeners paired with filters can address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 47 | 66% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 47 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 2404 | 40% | High | High | |
| Lead | 44 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 82 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 69 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 2178 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 877 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 21 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 47 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…