Groundwater in Cuyahoga County contains E. coli, HFPO-DA, and PFBS, which are contaminants well owners should be aware of. Contaminant levels here are low and do not exceed EPA health standards.
These contaminants come from surface sources. E. coli enters from septic systems, animal waste, or sewage. HFPO-DA and PFBS are industrial chemicals that leak from manufacturing sites, landfills, or firefighting foam used at airports and training facilities. The mixed rock beneath the county and variable soil conditions allow these surface contaminants to reach groundwater in some areas.
Water quality data for minerals in Cuyahoga County is not available, but wells drawing from mixed rock types like those here often contain moderate levels of iron and hardness. Iron dissolves from rock layers as water moves through cracks and spaces underground. These mineral characteristics vary across wells in the county depending on the specific rock type each well taps into.
Wells in Cuyahoga County have been found to contain bacteria, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. Bacteria in drinking water can cause serious illness, especially in children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. HFPO-DA and PFBS are synthetic chemicals that do not break down in the environment or in your body. Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been linked to health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system effects.
We don't have detailed mineral data for this county, so we cannot describe specific aesthetic concerns like staining or scaling that might affect your daily life. However, because multiple contaminants of concern are present in county wells, testing your water is important to understand what you may be dealing with.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is typical in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A basic health screen covering bacteria and nitrate runs about $50-100; a comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs $200-400. If contaminants are found, treatment options like whole-house filtration or activated carbon systems can remove many of these chemicals.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 134 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 38 | — | Moderate | Safe |
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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