Groundwater in Preble County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough to require your attention and testing.
The bedrock beneath this county contains iron, manganese, and arsenic naturally locked in the rock. As groundwater sits in contact with these minerals over time, they dissolve into your water. This county's mixed rock layers also allow sulfate and other minerals to accumulate as water moves slowly through cracks and spaces underground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the local bedrock, and it also carries high levels of dissolved iron. The combination of hard minerals and iron comes from the rock itself as water passes through it. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic, iron, lead, and manganese are found above EPA health standards in wells throughout this county. Arsenic can damage your organs and raise cancer risk over time. Lead harms brain development in children and can hurt kidney function in adults. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can affect how your body absorbs nutrients and may impact children's development.
The water in this county is extremely hard. You will see thick white crusty buildup on faucets and showerheads, and scale inside pipes and appliances. Iron causes orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, bathtubs, and laundry. Water this hard can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
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 $200-400 and is recommended given the multiple health concerns. Treatment options include arsenic removal systems combined with water softening.
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 | 125 | 58% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 126 | 29% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 127 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 126 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 123 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 108 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 119 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 123 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 125 | — | High | 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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