Groundwater in Trumbull County contains pfos, manganese, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and pfhxs also exceed their limits, making this a serious water quality concern.
These contaminants come from the rock layers below and from human sources on the land surface. The Pennsylvanian rock formations here naturally release iron and manganese as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and gaps in the stone. Pfos and related industrial chemicals enter from contamination sources above ground that seep downward over time. Road salt applied during Ohio winters adds chloride to the groundwater as it filters down through soil.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard with elevated sodium and moderate iron content driven by minerals in the bedrock and road salt that accumulates in the water. The slow movement of water through fractured rock allows these minerals to dissolve and concentrate. These characteristics show up across most wells in Trumbull County.
Wells in Trumbull County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, and industrial chemicals called PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS. Chloride at elevated levels can affect kidney function and blood pressure over time. Iron and manganese at high concentrations can cause problems with the nervous system and organ function with long-term exposure. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS are human-made chemicals that may accumulate in the body and have been linked to health concerns including immune system effects.
Wells in this county are moderately hard with elevated sodium levels. You may notice orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry from iron. The water can taste metallic or salty from the mineral content. Scale buildup on pipes and fixtures is common, and moderately hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400, since multiple analytes exceed standards here. 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 water softener paired with a specialized filter can address iron and hardness concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 40 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 42 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 49 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 61 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 41 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 48 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 59 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 42 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…