Manganese, iron, PFOS, and chloride are present in groundwater throughout Mahoning County. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards and represent a serious concern for well owners.
These metals and fluorinated compounds come from the rock layers themselves. The Pennsylvanian shale and coal-bearing rocks below the county naturally release manganese and iron as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater through past manufacturing and waste disposal. Chloride comes from road salt applied during winter months and from the breakdown of minerals in the rock.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the surrounding rock. High sodium levels and the presence of iron and manganese further define the water's mineral character. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Mahoning County.
Wells in Mahoning County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with high blood pressure or heart disease. Iron and manganese pose risks to the nervous system and can affect how the body uses oxygen. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to serious health effects with long-term exposure.
The mineral content in county wells creates noticeable quality-of-life problems. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. The water is extremely hard, leaving white crusty scale on pipes and fixtures. Very hard water like this can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. High sodium levels give the water a salty taste.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since 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 panel typically costs $200 to $400. A water softener paired with iron removal filtration can help address multiple concerns at once.
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 | 23 | 83% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 23 | 70% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 23 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | 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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