Groundwater in Medina County contains chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. The rock beneath this county naturally releases some minerals into the water as it percolates through. Agricultural activity and septic systems in the area contribute nitrate and chloride. Lead and manganese can enter from aging pipes or naturally from the rock layers below.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve naturally from the rock. The local geology naturally produces this hardness as water moves through the subsurface. Very hard water is the norm across most wells in Medina County.
Wells in Medina County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Chloride and nitrate can damage your kidneys and affect how your body uses oxygen. Fluoride at high levels can harm your bones and teeth. Lead is especially dangerous for children because it damages brain development. Iron and manganese can affect your nervous system and organs over time.
The very hard water in Medina County wells creates visible problems in your home. You'll see white scale buildup on faucets, in pipes, and inside appliances. Soap won't lather well, and your laundry may feel stiff. Hard water also shortens the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because multiple contaminants exceed standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what's actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Water softeners and iron removal systems are common treatment options.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 928 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 473 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 1126 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 473 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 859 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 478 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 751 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 853 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 300 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 241 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 14* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 371 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 472 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 459 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 14* | 0% | Low | 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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