Well Water in Ashland County: What to Test and Why

Chloride, radon, and lead are present in Ashland County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants require attention from well owners in this area.

Chloride enters groundwater from road salt applied during winter months and from natural mineral deposits in the rock. Radon and lead come from the natural breakdown of rock deep underground as water slowly moves through cracks and tiny spaces in the stone. The combination of deep groundwater and the county's rock composition concentrates these contaminants over time.

Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone and sandstone bedrock. These minerals dissolve into water as it seeps slowly through the rock layers below. Moderate hardness is common across wells throughout Ashland County.

Chloride, lead, and radon exceed EPA health standards in wells across Ashland County. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, and can harm the kidneys and bones. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it from water over many years. Chloride at elevated levels can affect people on restricted sodium diets and damage pipes and plumbing over time.

The moderately hard water in Ashland County wells may cause some scale buildup on pipes and fixtures, though the hardness level is not extreme. You might notice a slight metallic taste in your water or some discoloration from minerals. Hard water can reduce the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers, though this is generally a slower process at moderate hardness levels.

We recommend a comprehensive water test for your well since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in the county. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. 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 between $200 and $400 and can identify treatment options like radon aeration systems or point-of-use filters for lead removal.