Fleck Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter

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This week, households in El Paso County are deciding between equipment options to address nitrate concerns in their groundwater supply.

How often does the Fleck Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter require attention for ongoing maintenance?

The Fleck System is designed for straightforward upkeep, with routine maintenance consisting mainly of replenishing or replacing the media that captures nitrates and nitrites. Generally, this media needs to be refreshed after it has processed a certain volume of water, which varies depending on household consumption and local water nitrate levels. Regular monitoring of system performance indicators can help determine when maintenance is needed, ensuring efficient nitrate reduction without extensive intervention.

How does the Fleck system reduce nitrate and nitrite levels in home water?

This technology uses ion exchange media specifically formulated to target the nitrate and nitrite species in water. As water passes through the media, nitrate and nitrite ions are exchanged for less harmful ions, effectively lowering their concentration in the treated water. The process works continuously as water flows, offering homeowners a reliable method to address nitrate-related concerns documented in regional groundwater sampling.

What is the difference between aesthetic secondary standards and health-based limits for nitrate in water?

Nitrate has both health-based federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and secondary guidelines related to taste, odor, or appearance. In El Paso County aquifer 111VLFL, government data shows many sample results surpass the federal MCL of 10.0 mg/L, which is a health-based threshold. Secondary standards, however, might address factors like slight changes in taste or smell but do not indicate health risks. It is important to focus on the health-based MCL when selecting treatment equipment, as this limit guides safe consumption.

How do well depth or source type affect expected nitrate levels and treatment choices?

Government sampling in El Paso County covered wells ranging from 36 to 183 feet deep. Generally, nitrate concentrations can vary with depth; shallower wells may be more influenced by surface sources such as agricultural runoff, while deeper wells might reflect different geochemical conditions. Households should consider their well's characteristics and obtain precise water testing to understand their nitrate levels accurately before choosing a treatment system like the Fleck Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter.

How does nitrate typically enter groundwater in this region?

In El Paso County, nitrate infiltration into the aquifer primarily stems from agricultural activities, including fertilizer use and animal waste, as well as septic system leachate. The aquifer 111VLFL has shown a broad range of nitrate levels in government-monitored wells, demonstrating ongoing influences from these sources. Awareness of these regional patterns helps homeowners understand why nitrate treatment can be important for residential water quality.

These observations are based on 298 US Geological Survey groundwater samples from 17 different wells within El Paso County's aquifer 111VLFL, collected between 2010 and 2024. For further details or updated data, the USGS monitoring location 384617104455901 provides comprehensive information.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-08-21. 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 Nitrate in the 111VLFL aquifer (El Paso County): 298 results from 17 wells, median 8.19 mg/L, range 1.17-52.3 mg/L; 143 above a health-based federal MCL (federal MCL 10.0 mg/L)