Groundwater in Morrow County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are serious contaminants that require your attention.
These metals dissolve naturally from the limestone and shale layers beneath the county as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and tiny spaces in the rock. The rock itself contains these elements, and contact between water and stone over time releases them into your well.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below, and also carries very high iron and moderate sulfate. The slow movement of water through these carbonate rock layers allows minerals to concentrate as water sits in contact with the stone. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Morrow County commonly contain arsenic, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can build up in your body over years and increase the risk of cancer and organ damage. Manganese at elevated levels can affect your nervous system and brain development, especially in children. Iron itself doesn't pose a direct health risk, but it concentrates in the water here and needs to be addressed.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will see heavy white crusty buildup on faucets, shower heads, and fixtures. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed 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 well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400, and treatment options include a water softener combined with an iron filter.
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 | 31 | 100% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 28 | 61% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 27 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 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 ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 34 | — | 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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