Groundwater in Medina County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious concerns that require testing and treatment.
The Mississippian rock layers beneath this county naturally contain these metals and minerals. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the rock, iron, manganese, and arsenic dissolve into the water. Sulfate comes from sulfur-bearing minerals in the same rock formations.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. The slow movement of water through the rock allows these minerals to accumulate over time. These characteristics show up across most wells in Medina County.
Wells in Medina County commonly contain arsenic, lead, manganese, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and increases cancer risk. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development and nervous system function. Manganese at these levels can affect brain and nerve development. Elevated sulfate in drinking water can cause digestive issues over time.
Wells in this county have extremely hard water that leaves thick white and brown scale on fixtures and inside pipes. The very high iron content stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. This extreme hardness and high iron will shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Your water may also taste metallic or have a bitter edge from the sulfate.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options may include whole-house systems combining water softening with iron and arsenic removal.
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 | 66 | 71% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 65 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 55 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 61 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 52 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 65 | — | 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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