1. Identifying the First Affected Home Areas by Manganese
Manganese in water can cause staining and discoloration, particularly on fixtures and appliances that frequently contact water. Commonly affected areas include bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and laundry machines. These deposits often appear as dark stains that are difficult to remove. Understanding where manganese impacts your home first helps you monitor and address potential issues early.
2. Influence of Well Depth and Source on Manganese Expectations
The local data reflects measurements from wells approximately 20 feet deep within aquifer 112PCPC. Water chemistry can vary notably with well depth and source type. Shallow wells, like those sampled here, may show different manganese levels compared to deeper ones. Your own water's manganese level depends on your specific well characteristics, which differ from the sampled wells.
3. Sample Size and Its Effect on Data Interpretation
The reported measurements come from three results collected at one well over a period from July 2011 to August 2023. A small number of samples over time offers limited insight into variability but provides a starting point for understanding manganese presence in this aquifer. For a comprehensive assessment, multiple samples over time and additional wells would give a more complete picture.
4. Contextualizing This County's Manganese Data with Neighboring Areas
When comparing manganese data from New Castle County to adjacent counties, bear in mind differences in geology and water sources. Variations in manganese levels between counties do not directly reflect individual household water but rather regional conditions. Avoid assuming your water quality matches any particular county's overall data without direct testing.
5. Interpreting the Manganese Range Against Federal Standards
The manganese values detected here range from 14.3 to 49.8 micrograms per liter, with a median of 21.2 micrograms per liter. None of these measurements exceed federal thresholds. It is important to understand that detections below these thresholds are not a violation and do not indicate unsafe water but may influence taste, staining, or other aesthetic aspects.
6. Understanding Terms: 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' in Your Water Record
'Detected' means manganese was measured at a level above the laboratory's reporting limit. 'Median' represents the middle value when all sample results are ordered, providing a typical concentration estimate. 'Range' shows the span between the lowest and highest recorded measurements, highlighting variability over time. These terms help clarify the meaning behind the reported data for the aquifer.
Summary
This manganese record reflects data obtained from shallow wells in New Castle County, Delaware, specifically within aquifer 112PCPC, covering measurements from 2011 to 2023. For those seeking to reduce manganese's effects on household water, systems like the C-Series Black Manganese Stains Filter ship ready to configure and can address manganese concerns documented in similar regional water profiles. For full details and ongoing updates, refer to the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling data.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2023-08-23. 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 Manganese in the 112PCPC aquifer (New Castle County): 3 results from 1 wells, median 21.2 ug/L, range 14.3-49.8 ug/L; none above any federal threshold