Groundwater in Meigs County contains radon, PFOA, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious enough that well owners should have their water tested and treated.
The rock beneath Meigs County is Pennsylvanian shale and coal-bearing stone that naturally holds radon and dissolved minerals. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in these rocks, it picks up radon gas and comes into contact with salty water trapped in the formation, which raises chloride levels. PFOA may come from past industrial or military activities in or near the region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolving from the surrounding rock layers. The slow movement of water through these Pennsylvanian formations allows extended contact with minerals that build up hardness. Very hard water is common across wells in Meigs County.
Chloride, PFOA, and radon exceed EPA health standards in wells across Meigs County. Chloride at elevated levels can be a concern for people on low-sodium diets and those with certain health conditions. PFOA is a persistent chemical that builds up in your body over time and has been linked to health effects from long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that escapes from water into the air you breathe, especially during showers and hot water use, and increases cancer risk with prolonged exposure.
Wells in this county are very hard, which means you will see thick white scale building up on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron stains sinks, tubs, and laundry orange-brown or rust-colored. The elevated sulfate levels can give water a bitter or unpleasant taste and odor. Water this hard can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well right away since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well 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 metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400, and treatment options include radon removal systems, water softeners, and PFOA filtration.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 27 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 40 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | 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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