Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 6

Like ということ, an expression used for nominalizing a phrase in the fashion of 'the ~ that ~', ということだ makes use of the auxiliary verb だ (or です), and stresses that the nominalized phrase 'is' the case. This phrase is often translated as 'I heard that', or 'it is said that', but literally, it is closer to 'it is that it's ~'. The だ is what gives this expression a high degree of certainty, therefore implying that the speaker has heard the statement elsewhere, and is sure of its validity.
ということだ can be added to the end of any phrase that the speaker wants to highlight as being something that is known.

• この井戸(いど)水(みず)は汚染(おせん)されているということだ。
  It is said that this well is contaminated.
• この魚(さかな)は全(まった)く臭(くさ)くない。まだ新鮮(しんせん)と言(い)う事(こと)だ。
  This fish doesn't smell at all. It means that it's fresh.

ということだ is regularly paired with other expressions that show the 'source' of information, such as によると, or によれば.

• 先生(せんせい)によると、この病気(びょうき)は薬(くすり)では治(なお)せないということだ。
  According to the doctor, (it is said that) this sickness cannot be cured with medicine.
• 大阪(おおさか)府警(ふけい)によれば、犯人(はんにん)はまだ逃(に)げているということだ。
  It is said that the criminal is still on the run, according to the Osaka prefectural police.

When ということだ is being used to express hearsay (statements that cannot easily be proven), it can be be rephrased as とのことだ. The literal difference between these two phrases is as follows:
ということだ - It can be explained that (A) is ~ (more emphasis on the information)
とのことだ - The statement of (A) has been applied to ~ (more emphasis on the source that 'applied' the information)

• 地域(ちいき)によってルールが違(ちが)うということだ。
  It means that the rules differ depending on the area.
• 地域(ちいき)によってルールが違(ちが)うとのことだ。
  It is said that the rules differ depending on the area.