Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter

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What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page

The U.S. Geological Survey groundwater samples taken from bedrock aquifers in Androscoggin County between August and October 2011 show iron was detected in all three samples. Detection here means iron was measured above the instrument’s reporting limit, not that it exceeds any safety thresholds. The median value of 7.0 micrograms per liter (ug/L) represents the middle measurement among the samples, while the range from 5.3 to 21.5 ug/L reflects the lowest and highest iron concentrations found in those wells. These figures describe iron presence in the area’s aquifer, not any individual household's water.

How Many Samples and Wells Stand Behind the Figures, and What a Small Sample Means

The data is based on three samples taken from three different wells, each between 262 and 304 feet deep. Though useful for understanding regional groundwater conditions, the small sample size limits broad conclusions about iron levels in all local wells. Variations can occur between wells depending on location and other factors. Households should obtain specific water testing to know their own water quality rather than relying solely on this regional data.

How Sample Depth, Well Depth, or Source Type Changes What a Reader Should Expect

Samples came from deep bedrock wells, which may have different iron characteristics compared to shallow wells or surface water sources. Deeper wells can sometimes have lower or higher iron due to geological layers they penetrate. Knowing your well’s depth and source type helps interpret how closely local government data may reflect your water’s iron content, but actual testing remains the only sure way to confirm individual water conditions.

The Role of Plumbing Material and Age, Separate From the Source Water

Even with low iron levels in source water, household plumbing materials and their age can influence iron and rust presence in water. Older pipes may corrode or release iron, causing stains or discoloration unrelated to the aquifer’s natural iron content. Understanding plumbing condition can help distinguish between iron originating in the source water versus that arising from household plumbing.

What Questions a Commercial or Industrial Operator Adds That a Household Does Not

Commercial and industrial operations often require more detailed water quality data, including larger sample sizes and parameters relating to equipment corrosion or process sensitivities. Households typically focus on aesthetic and operational impacts such as staining or taste. This page addresses household concerns in Androscoggin County, noting that treatment for iron and rust at the residential scale differs from commercial needs.

Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ From Health-Based Limits, Applied to This Constituent

The iron concentrations detected in Androscoggin County’s bedrock aquifer samples are well below any federal health-based limits. However, iron can cause aesthetic issues such as rust-colored stains and metallic taste. Secondary standards govern these aesthetic and operational concerns, not safety. Recognizing this distinction helps households focus on treatment solutions that improve water appearance and function without implying a health risk where none is documented.

What the Reader Should NOT Conclude From Area Data

Area-wide iron measurements do not reveal the iron concentration in any individual household’s water. The detections documented here are not violations or indications of unsafe conditions. Only direct water testing of your own well or water source can identify your specific iron level and guide the choice of appropriate treatment class. The Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to address iron-related aesthetic issues commonly found in household water supplies, providing a documented option once testing clarifies your needs.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-10-13. 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 Iron in the BEDROCK aquifer (Androscoggin County): 3 results from 3 wells, median 7.0 ug/L, range 5.3-21.5 ug/L; none above any federal threshold