Ernest F. Oelker
A. Wayne Jones
Larry C. Brown
Kristina M. Boone
Water stored under the earth's surface is a plentiful, yet precious, resource in most areas of Ohio. Many human activities may affect the quality and quantity of this resource. However, the availability and quality of this resource are influenced directly by the properties of the geologic formations that hold water. The chemical and physical nature of these formations varies from area to area, creating a wide range of water yields and quality at different depths. This publication contains information about the ground-water resources underlying Stark County. Its purpose is to help the reader better understand the factors that influence the quantity and quality of ground water. An overview of the county's water resources is provided in the publication Stark County Water Resources, AEX-480.76.
Much of the water resource and water quality terminology used in this publication is described in Extension Facts Sheets AEX 460 and 465. Ohio Extension publications are available through the Stark/Summit Regional Office of Ohio State University Extension.
Geologic formations (e.g., sand, gravel, limestone, sandstone) have the ability to receive, store and transmit water. In general, if a formation is capable of yielding enough water to support a well or spring, it is called an aquifer. The material from which the formation originally was made influences its ability to store and transmit water. For example, sand and gravel allow water to flow through easily. By comparison, shale, which originated from compacted layers of mud and clay, generally allows very little water to flow through it unless the shale is highly fractured.
Permeable sand and gravel deposits and sandstones are the primary sources of ground water in northeast Ohio, including parts of Stark County. Sand and gravel occur as glacial outwash deposits in deep buried valleys, and may be interlensed and interbedded with silt and clay known as glacial till. Glacial till overlies the sandstone and/or shale bedrock at depths of 20 to more than 200 feet. Large well yields can be expected from the thicker and more permeable sand and gravel deposits. As much as 2,600 gallons per minute has been pumped from deposits of well-sorted sand and gravel that are hydraulically connected to local streams. Where smaller deposits of sand and gravel are interbedded or interlensed with silt and clay deposits, well yields from the sand and gravel tend to be less. In some areas, drilling may miss such sand and gravel deposits and penetrate the underlying sandstone bedrock for usable supplies.
The geologic formations that underlie the Middle Tuscarawas River and Sugar Creek basins of western Stark County are sedimentary in origin. These formations comprise two classes: consolidated layers of shale, sandstone, limestone and coal; and unconsolidated glacial deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel. Sandstone formations, which may yield sizable quantities of water locally, may vary from permeable sandstone formations to low-yielding sandy shales or shales from one locality to another.
In the Sandy Creek Basin (eastern Stark County), both the consolidated and unconsolidated formations are of sedimentary origin, as well. Sandstone bedrock, and to a lesser extent, shale, are the most important sources of water in this part of the county. However, unconsolidated geologic materials deposited above the bedrock also constitute a potential water source adequate for many uses.
The actual yield of a well, in gallons per minute (gpm), will vary considerably depending on the age and depth of the well, the diameter of the casing, well construction, pump capacity and age, and most importantly, properties of the geologic formation. The exact yield and depth of each well will depend on the properties of the geologic formation at the specific location of the well.
To support the development of ground-water availability assessments in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Water, maintains a statewide database of more than 700,000 well logs. The Ground-Water Resources Section of the Division manages this valuable database, which includes some information collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). Since 1948, well-log information has been collected to increase the understanding of the ground-water resources in Ohio. Geologists and hydrogeologists continue to study the state's ground-water resources. As a result, Ohio is one of only a few states that has been completely mapped for ground-water availability (mapped by river basin, from 1959 to 1962).
Estimates of the size, shape, geologic make-up and yields of aquifers are being mapped county by county. Most of Ohio's counties have a completed map. The map presented in Figure 1 is a generalized representation of the water-bearing formations underlying Stark County (adapted from map by A.C. Walker, 1988). This illustration is based on a hydrogeologic interpretation of the well-log data from Stark County and surrounding areas. It should be used only as a guide to understanding the ground-water resources in the county. The remainder of this section provides a brief description of the types of aquifers illustrated on the map in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Ground-water resources of Stark County, Ohio (adapted from
ODNR Division of Water map by J. Humphreys).
Area A in Figure 1 illustrates sand and gravel deposits in deep buried valleys. These areas are the most productive aquifers in the county. Well yields of more than 500 gpm generally can be obtained. However, in some places, these formations are susceptible to infiltration of chlorides from the Tuscarawas River. In such areas, spacing of wells and rates of pumping should be carefully controlled to avoid introduction of chloride into the aquifer.
The aquifers illustrated as Area B are permeable sand and gravel deposits that are not traversed by major streams. These aquifers, which may sustain yields of several hundred gallons per minute, are suitable for industrial and municipal well-field development.
Area C illustrates aquifers that are capable of supporting wells adequate for farm and domestic supplies. Yields of 25 to 100 gpm or more can be obtained at depths of up to 150 feet. Where adequate yields from the sand and gravel deposits are not obtained, wells can be extended into the underlying sandstone formations.
These areas, illustrated as Area D, are sandstones of the Pottsville group. With few exceptions, the bedrock is covered with less than 75 feet of glacially deposited material. The principal aquifers are the Massillon sandstone (upper layers) and the Sharon conglomerate (lower layers). Wells will produce sustained yields of up to 50 gpm. Wells in the Sharon conglomerate may be as much as 300 feet below the surface.
The sand and gravel deposits, illustrated as Area E, are of limited thickness and extent. Wells may yield from 5 to 30 gpm from deposits that are from 30 to more than 100 feet in thickness overlying bedrock. Some limited local deposits may be greater than 200 feet thick. Wells that do not encounter sand and gravel deposits often are extended into the underlying sandstone bedrock.
Area F illustrates formations that are capable of supporting maximum reliable yields of up to 25 gpm. The bedrock is covered with 20 to 80 feet of unconsolidated glacial deposits which may yield adequate supplies for domestic uses.
The low-yielding aquifers illustrated as Area G are massive sandstone and shale formations. Yields of only 3 to 10 gpm can be expected. These yields are adequate for domestic supplies. Ground water, whether obtained from bedrock or glacial deposits, may require some treatment. In some areas, water containing calcium carbonate (CaCO3, i.e. hard water), and iron concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm may require treatment for some uses (see notes in Table 1).
The water level in any well usually does not remain constant, but may change depending upon several factors. Rainfall distribution and amount, and fluctuating water level in a stream that is hydraulically connected to an aquifer may affect ground-water recharge and discharge, and subsequently may affect the water level in area wells. Also, in some cases, depending upon the hydraulic properties of the geologic formation, the intense pumping of a well, or number of wells, may cause the water level in some nearby wells to be lowered.
The ODNR Division of Water has monitored ground-water levels in seven wells in Stark County. At present, only two wells are in service. One of these wells is located in Canton, off Harrisburg Road, and is designated as observation well ST-5A on Figure 1. The other well is located off Dressler Road near North Canton, and is designated as well ST-27. These wells are two of a number of wells throughout northeast Ohio used to monitor the natural seasonal fluctuation on water levels in these sand and gravel aquifers.
Observation well ST-5A (Canton) is 132 feet deep. Continuous water-level measurements have been recorded at ST-5A since June 1949. The lowest level recorded on ST-5A was 54 feet below land surface in February 1956; the highest level recorded was 26.1 feet below land surface in May 1964. Observation well ST-27 is 55 feet deep, and continuous water-level measurements have been recorded since April 1975. For observation well ST-27, the lowest water level recorded was 51.1 feet below land surface in May 1990; the highest level recorded was 7.1 feet below land surface in June 1981. These wells are representative of many sand and gravel wells in the region.
Various state and federal agencies have participated in programs to determine the ground-water quality in Ohio. For eight wells in Stark County, water-quality data were available from the ODNR Division of Water. In Figure 1, these wells are noted as Chemical Analysis Sites 1 through 8. These sites are either municipal or collector wells.
The results from some of the chemical tests performed on these Stark County wells are given in Table 1. The chemical constituents listed are total dissolved solids, hardness (as CaCO3), iron and chloride. For comparison purposes, secondary drinking water-quality standards for these chemical constituents also are shown. These standards are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for public-water systems for aesthetic reasons (taste, odor, appearance, etc.), and are not enforceable. These chemical constituents do not pose a risk to human health (see notes in Table 1). For private wells, there are no legally enforceable drinking water-quality standards other than total coliform, which is an indicator of bacteriological quality.
The information in Table 1 can be used as a guide to what one might expect from an existing or new well developed in similar geologic material in the county. This information provides a general representation of the quality of the water at the time of sampling, which was not the same for all wells. In most cases, the data provided in Table 1 was taken from a water sample obtained just after the well was put into operation. Even though five of these wells were developed in the sand and gravel formations underlying Stark County, and are in the range of 69 to 157 feet deep, some variation exists in the concentrations of each of these chemical constituents. Just as well yields differ, water quality will vary depending on the properties of the geologic formation at the specific location of each well. One should not forget that many human activities also affect the quality of ground water (see AEX 465).
| Table 1. Chemical constituents of selected Stark County wells 1. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Well No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | WQ Std2 |
| Well Depth (feet) | 157 | 407 | 127 | 140 | 69 | 147 | 250 | 100 | |
| Capacity (gpm) | 600 | 40 | 625 | 3470 | 900 | 2000 | 75 | 350 | |
| Depth to Bedrock (feet) | NE3 | 30 | 68 | NE | NE | NE | 19 | NE | |
| Water-Bearing Formation4 | SG | SS | SS | SG | SG | SG | SH | SG | |
| Chemical Constituents5 | |||||||||
| Total Dissolved Solids | 338 | 287 | 308 | 397 | 286 | 556 | 525 | 195 | 500 |
| Hardness (as CaCO3) | 278 | 166 | 254 | 328 | 246 | 467 | 382 | 146 | none6 |
| Iron | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.45 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.03 | 0.3 |
| Chloride | 5 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 250 |
| 1 Data on wells 1 and 2 from watershed map P-5; wells 3-8 from watershed map P-7; General location of each well is shown on Figure 1. | |||||||||
| 2 USEPA Secondary Water Quality Standard. | |||||||||
| 3 Well constructed in this formation did not encounter bedrock. | |||||||||
| 4 SG - Sand and Gravel; SS - Sandstone; SH - Shale. | |||||||||
| 5 Units are parts-per-million, ppm;
Comments as per "Interpreting Your Water Test Report" (1988); Total Dissolved Solids: Concentrations above 500 ppm may cause adverse taste and deteriorate domestic plumbing and appliances. Use of water containing 500 ppm is common. Hardness: Primary concerns are that more soap is required for effective cleaning, a film may form on fixtures, fabrics may yellow and scales may form in boilers, water heaters and cooking utensils. Iron: Concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm may cause rust-colored stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures and sinks. Metallic taste may be present, which may affect the taste of beverages made from the water. Chloride: Concentrations greater than 250 ppm may result in an objectionable, salty taste to water and the corrosion of plumbing in the hot water system. | |||||||||
| 6 No USEPA Secondary Standard. | |||||||||
Ground-water contamination by volatile organic compounds, VOC's, is a concern in certain areas of the county, in particular, wells in the Uniontown area. Possible sources of the contamination include landfills, domestic septic systems, well equipment and shock chlorination of wells. In 1990 and 1991, the Ohio EPA conducted a survey of 94 residential wells in the Uniontown area. Water samples were analyzed for volatile organics. One or more of nine volatile organic compounds were detected in 26 of these wells, but none was above its specific Maximum Contaminant Level. Follow-up tests were conducted, and in several wells, compounds detected in the first sample were not detected in the second sample. The EPA study suggested that the source of contamination was most likely well equipment and the recent chlorination of wells. The results from this study illustrate the great potential for contamination of these sand and gravel, and sandstone/shale aquifers from human activities.
Stark County's ground-water resources are valuable assets to the county's citizens and industry. The availability and quality of these resources are directly influenced by the properties of the geologic formations underlying the county. Stark County has a wide range in water-bearing formations. Sand and gravel formations underlying the county have excellent potential to supply water adequate for most uses. By understanding the physical and chemical nature of these resources, better decisions can be made about ground-water protection, management and use. This publication provided an overview of the county's ground-water resources. It should be used as a guide, and not as a substitute for detailed information and professional advice when drilling a well.
The Stark/Summit Regional Office of Ohio State University Extension can provide other publications on the county's water resources. Your Extension agent, the Stark County Health Department, and Ohio EPA Northeast District Office - NEDO (2110 East Aurora Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087) can provide information on well-water testing and drinking- water quality. The ODNR Division of Water - Ground-Water Resources Section (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224) is an excellent source of information on ground water. Some of the information in this publication was summarized from a map titled Ground-Water Resources of Stark County, and other information available through the Division of Water. This map is much more detailed than that given in Figure 1 of this publication. In addition, personnel in the Ground-Water Resources Section can provide you with more detailed information about ground-water availability and wells. The USGS, Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave. Columbus, OH 43212), also provides information concerning ground water in Ohio.
Ground-Water Resources of Stark County. 1988. A.C. Walker. ODNR Division of Water. (map).
Interpreting Your Water Test Report. 1988. D. Lundstrom and S. Fundingsland. AE-937, No. 13-AENG-10. North Dakota State University Extension Service.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer. 1993. R. Leeds and L.C. Brown. AEX 465. Ohio State University Extension.
Northeast Ohio Water Plan. 1972. ODNR Division of Water.
Northwest Uniontown Investigation Summary, Stark and Summit Counties. 1991. V. Deppisch, Hydrogeologist, Ohio EPA.
Ohio Ground-Water Quality. USGS National Water Summary - Ohio. 1986. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2325.
Ohio Ground-Water Resources. USGS National Water Summary - Ohio. 1984. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2275.
Southeast Ohio Water Plan. 1978. ODNR Division of Water.
Stark County Water Resources. 1993. E.F. Oelker, K.M. Boone and L.C. Brown. AEX-480.76. Ohio State University Extension.
Surface and Ground Water Terminology. 1990. L.C. Brown and L.P. Black. AEX 460. Ohio State University Extension.
Underground Water Resources (maps of various river basins). 1958-1962. ODNR Division of Water.
Water Testing. 1988. K. Mancl. AEX 314. Ohio State University Extension.
This publication was produced through the Ohio Water Resources Education Project, in cooperation with: ODNR Division of Water; Ohio EPA; USGS, Ohio District; and Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Kristina M. Boone. Support for this publication was provided, in part, by: cooperating agencies; Ohio State University Extension, Stark/Summit Regional Office; Stark County Commissioners; USDA Water Quality Initiative Funds; Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and USDA Extension Service Grant No. 90-EWQI-1-9018. The project leaders acknowledge the following reviewers: Mel Smith (USDA-Soil Conservation Service); Gary Couner (Stark County Engineers Office); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); and Christopher Khourney (Ohio EPA, NEDO).
A special thanks to Michelle Roby, Ross Roberts, and John Humphreys (Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Assistants) for help in graphic and manuscript preparation, and Judy Kauffeld, Publications Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University, for editorial and graphic production.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868