Red Lake County Aquifer and Water Delivery Overview
Water in Red Lake County generally comes from groundwater drawn from aquifer 112GBSG, with wells typically near 56 feet in depth. This aquifer’s water passes through surrounding soil and rock before reaching commercial facilities’ taps, carrying minerals picked up along the way that may influence how soap lathers during cleaning and operation.
Understanding Certified Laboratory Reports for Mineral Content
What a Test Measures
Certified laboratories testing hardness report concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L). These minerals affect water's ability to form soap lather and can cause soap to be less effective or leave residues.
Reading the Report
Reports show individual measurements along with median and range values. The median indicates the middle value of the data set, while the range shows the lowest and highest measurements recorded. None of these values indicate a health risk, only mineral presence as measured.
Comparing Red Lake County to Nearby Areas
Avoid Overreading Regional Differences
Red Lake County’s aquifer shows a median hardness of 321 mg/L with a range between 308 mg/L and 328 mg/L, based on three samples from one well. Adjacent counties or aquifers may have different median values; however, these differences describe regional mineral content trends rather than specific water quality issues at a single site.
Reliance on Small Sample Sets
Since the data here reflects just one well with three samples, caution is needed in generalizing to all wells in the area. More samples from diverse sources would be required for a comprehensive regional profile.
How Commercial System Skids Address Mineral Effects
Function of the 30 Steel Tanks - Triplex Unit Skid
This commercial system skid uses multiple steel tanks working together to treat water for mineral-related issues. It is designed to handle continuous flow and high volumes typical in commercial operations, improving water quality to help enhance soap lather and cleaning efficiency.
Mineral Removal or Neutralization
The skid system reduces calcium and magnesium impact by processing water through media or chemical methods within the tanks, thereby preventing diminished soap effectiveness and buildup problems commonly associated with hard water.
Influence of Sample and Well Depth on Water Quality Expectations
Sample Depth Consistency
All samples were taken from wells about 56 feet deep, indicating mineral concentrations at that depth. Different wells at varying depths could yield different mineral readings, affecting soap lather performance depending on source depth and local geology.
Well Type and Source Variability
Production wells, monitoring wells, or different aquifers may carry mineral concentrations that transform soap lather differently in commercial settings. Knowing the well type is important but not addressed by this dataset.
Interpreting Detected, Median, and Range Terms
Meaning of 'Detected'
'Detected' means the lab instrument measured calcium and magnesium in each sample. Detection alone does not imply any problem, just that the minerals are present at measurable levels.
Median and Range Explained
The median value of 321 mg/L is the middle measurement among the three samples, providing an estimate of typical mineral level. The range from 308 mg/L to 328 mg/L shows the variation between individual samples, reflecting stable mineral presence in this aquifer.
Sample Size and Well Count Considerations
Sample Quantity
This record includes only three samples from one well collected over ten years. While useful for identifying mineral presence, this limited data should be supplemented with targeted testing for specific commercial sites.
Impact of Limited Data on Decision-Making
A small sample size limits certainty about mineral concentrations and their effect on soap lather in different facilities. Customized water testing is recommended for precise commercial treatment needs.
This record summarizes groundwater mineral content measured in aquifer 112GBSG in Red Lake County based on three samples taken from one well approximately 56 feet deep. Data is available from the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring site at waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/474540096210001/.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-09-25. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 112GBSG aquifer (Red Lake County): 3 results from 1 wells, median 321.0 mg/L, range 308.0-328.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold