Well Water in Ross County: What to Test and Why

Your well water comes from old limestone and dolomite bedrock full of tiny cracks and fractures. Water moves slowly through these rock layers, traveling downward to reach your well. This same type of rock underlies your neighboring counties too.

The bedrock in this area has natural protective qualities. The limestone and dolomite dissolve minerals slowly as water passes through, but they do not contain harmful contaminants. Low-density land use in Ross County means fewer chemicals and pollutants seep down from the surface to contaminate groundwater.

Water that sits in limestone bedrock picks up minerals and becomes hard, leaving white crusty buildup on pipes and fixtures. A water softener handles this common issue well. You should test your well every one to three years to catch any changes early.

The water in Ross County comes from bedrock cracks and fractures deep underground. Testing has not found any contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. This is good news for your family's health. You still own responsibility for your well's water quality since private wells are not monitored by the county or state.

Hard water is common in this area because limestone and dolomite dissolve slowly into the groundwater. You may notice white crusty buildup on faucets, pipes, and inside water heaters. A water softener handles this problem if it becomes bothersome. Without specific mineral measurements, you cannot know if iron staining or sulfur odor will show up in your water.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab to know what is actually in your water. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs about fifty to one hundred dollars. A full mineral and metals panel costs two hundred to four hundred dollars and tells you exactly what you are drinking.