A routine groundwater sampling conducted at Cedarville University this spring revealed elevated levels of arsenic, iron, manganese, and other contaminants, according to a newly released report from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
The data, obtained through the state’s Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program (AGWQMP), shows arsenic concentrations at 56.6 micrograms per liter—well above the U.S. EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water, which is 10 micrograms per liter. Iron levels measured at 19,000 micrograms per liter, dramatically exceeding the Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) of 300 micrograms per liter, a threshold primarily set for taste, odor, and staining.
The sample was collected from Well 13 on Cedarville University’s campus in Greene County on April 9, 2025. The testing was conducted by Samantha Spence, a representative of the Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental Services. While the results represent raw, untreated water—not the finished water that reaches consumer taps—they are used to assess baseline groundwater quality across the state.
Also present in concerning concentrations were:
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Manganese: 54.4 µg/L (above the SMCL of 50 µg/L)
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Barium: 288 µg/L (MCL is 2,000 µg/L, but flagged due to lab sensitivity)
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Strontium: 366 µg/L (no current MCL, but under ongoing health review)
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Sodium: 26 mg/L
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Sulfate: 39.4 mg/L
Nitrate, nitrite, cadmium, chromium, lead, and several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA and PFOS, were reported as non-detects.
Ohio EPA emphasized that these results are for ambient raw groundwater and do not indicate violations of drinking water standards. However, the agency advised Cedarville officials to contact their drinking water inspector if there are concerns about source water quality or if further testing is desired.
In a letter sent June 13 to Cedarville University, Ohio EPA extended appreciation for the institution's participation in the program and encouraged ongoing engagement with environmental monitoring efforts.
The full results are available through the Ohio EPA’s Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program website: https://epa.ohio.gov/monitor-pollution/maps-and-advisories/ambient-ground-water-monitoring
Contaminants Detected in Cedarville University Well No. 13
| Contaminant | Result | Benchmark | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 56.6 µg/L | 10 µg/L (MCL) | Above MCL |
| Iron | 19,000 µg/L | 300 µg/L (SMCL) | Above SMCL |
| Manganese | 54.4 µg/L | 50 µg/L (SMCL) | Above SMCL |
| Barium | 288 µg/L | 2,000 µg/L (MCL) | Within Limit |
| Strontium | 366 µg/L | — | No MCL |
| Sodium | 26.0 mg/L | — | Advisory |
| Sulfate | 39.4 mg/L | 250 mg/L (SMCL) | Within Limit |
| Fluoride | 0.282 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L (MCL) | Within Limit |
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