Groundwater in Hocking County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic that well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These metals come from the rock itself. The county sits above Mississippian rock layers that naturally contain iron, manganese, and arsenic. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in this rock, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other rock below. The water also carries high levels of iron and sulfate that concentrate as water sits in contact with iron-rich minerals in the bedrock. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Hocking County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can increase cancer risk and cause organ damage. Lead harms children's brain development and nervous system function. Manganese at elevated levels can affect how your brain works and harm learning and behavior. Chloride at high levels is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets.
The extremely hard water in this county will leave thick white or crusty scale buildup on pipes, fixtures, and inside water heaters and dishwashers. Iron causes orange-brown or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Sulfate can give water a bitter or medicinal taste. This level of hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by years.
We recommend testing your well right away because every well is different and your water 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. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs between $200-400. Treatment options like whole-house filtration systems combined with water softeners and iron removal can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 126 | 85% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 119 | 69% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 129 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 29 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 100 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 81 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 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 ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 130 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 64 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 73 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | 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.
Loading recent water news…