Well Water in Shelby County: What to Test and Why

Your well water comes from old limestone and dolomite rock deep underground. This rock has tiny cracks and spaces that fill with water. The same rock layer stretches across all the neighboring counties around you.

Nothing harmful is getting into your groundwater here. The rock itself acts as a natural filter. The geology protects your water from pollution and keeps it clean.

Your water is hard because limestone dissolves slowly into the groundwater. Hard water leaves white crusty buildup on faucets and in pipes. You might notice spots on dishes and a chalky feeling on your skin after showering.

The water in Shelby County shows no contaminants detected and nothing exceeds EPA health standards. Your well water does not have the urgent health concerns that affect some neighboring counties. This is good news for your family's drinking water.

Since no harmful contaminants were found, you should not expect staining, scaling, bad taste, or odor problems from bacteria, metals, or minerals. Your water should look and taste normal without the white crusty buildup or orange staining that happens in other areas.

Get a certified lab test to confirm these results for your own records. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate runs fifty to one hundred dollars. Contact your county health department or the Ohio Department of Agriculture for a list of state-certified labs near you.