Your well water comes from fractured sandstone and shale rock that sits deep underground. These rocks formed from ancient mud and sand compressed over millions of years. Water fills the tiny cracks and spaces between the rock layers and moves slowly downward through them.
The contaminants you see—arsenic, lead, manganese, and sulfate—dissolve naturally from the rock itself as water sits in contact with it for long periods. The shale layers contain arsenic-bearing minerals, while the iron-rich rocks release manganese and iron into the water. Sulfate comes from minerals in the deeper rock layers. This is geology at work, not pollution from human activity.
Your water is extremely hard and loaded with minerals. The hardness level of 218,000 means white crusty buildup will coat your pipes, fixtures, and inside your kettle. Iron at 50 mg/L will stain your sinks and laundry orange-brown. Sodium at 30,000 mg/L and sulfate at 99,500 mg/L make the water taste salty and bitter. You need whole-house treatment right now—testing and filters are not optional.
Arsenic, lead, and manganese exceed EPA health standards in Coshocton County well water. Arsenic is found at levels that warrant immediate testing and action. Lead and manganese also show up at concerning amounts. This is a serious, multi-contaminant problem that needs your attention right away.
Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause skin problems and increase cancer risk. Lead harms the brain and kidneys, especially in children. Manganese at high levels can damage the nervous system. Beyond health risks, your water will cause orange and brown staining on sinks and laundry. The water is extremely hard, leaving white crusty buildup on fixtures and pipes.
Get your well tested by a state-certified lab right now. A basic health screen runs $50–100, and a comprehensive metals panel runs $200–400. Since you face multiple contaminants, ask for arsenic, lead, and manganese to be included. A whole-house treatment system designed for arsenic removal will be necessary.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 4 | 100% | 25% · 0% · 75% | Low | High |
| Manganese | 3 | 100% | 33% · 0% · 67% | Low | High |
| Arsenic | 19 | 50% | 26% · 26% · 47% | Moderate | High |
| Sulfate | 78 | 33% | 54% · 13% · 33% | Moderate | High |
| Fluoride | 22 | 14% | 59% · 27% · 14% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Chloride | 86 | 12% | 78% · 10% · 12% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Iron | 8 | 0% | 88% · 12% · 0% | Low | Low |
| Nitrate | 5 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low |
| Nitrite | 32 | 0% | 97% · 3% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 78 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 18 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 7 | — | — | Low | Low |
| Hardness | 49 | — | — | 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.
Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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