Autotrol Spotty Dishes & Glassware System

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Evaluate Your Household Water Demand

Estimate Daily Dishware Usage

Start by calculating how many dishes, glasses, and utensils your household uses each day. The volume of water needed to rinse and wash these items affects the capacity required from any water treatment system.

Consider Family Size and Lifestyle

The number of residents and their habits influence water demand. Larger families or frequent entertainers may require a treatment solution that handles higher daily water volumes.

Account for Water Hardness Impact on Spotting

Water hardness, caused mainly by calcium and magnesium minerals, can lead to spotting on dishes when water evaporates. Understanding the capacity needed to address mineral levels typical for your area is essential.

Understand Differences Between Public System Data and Private Well Testing

Area Data Reflects Regional Aquifer Levels

The U.S. Geological Survey sampled seven wells in New Castle County’s 217PTMC aquifer, finding calcium and magnesium concentrations indicating water hardness. This sampling shows what can occur generally but does not specify your household’s water chemistry.

Private Well Testing Is the Only Way to Know Your Water

Your home’s well may have mineral levels that differ from area medians or ranges. A dedicated laboratory test is required to identify your water’s specific characteristics affecting dish spotting.

Public Records Show No Federal Limits Exceeded

None of the seven well samples exceeded any federal hardness thresholds. Detections of calcium and magnesium indicate presence, not a health violation or unsafe condition.

Interpret Median and Range Values as a Homeowner

Median Hardness Suggests Typical Regional Water Quality

The median calcium and magnesium hardness in the sampled wells is 62.3 mg/L. For a homeowner, this means moderate mineral presence that may cause spotting if untreated.

Range Indicates Variation Across Wells

The sampled wells varied from 10.5 to 432.0 mg/L hardness, showing some locations have much softer or harder water than the typical value. Your well water could fall anywhere within this spectrum.

Recognize Seasonal and Multi-Year Changes in Water Softness

Sampling Dates Indicate Stability Over Time

The well samples were collected over a period from August 2010 to October 2014, suggesting a degree of consistency in water quality within the aquifer over these years.

Mineral Levels May Fluctuate Naturally

Although no drastic changes were documented, natural variations in aquifer mineral content can occur seasonally or over multiple years, affecting spotting potential on dishes.

Distinguish Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health Limits

Hardness Contributes to Spotting, Not Health Risks

Calcium and magnesium hardness affects taste and leaves spots or film on glassware but is not a health-based violation if detected within common levels.

Federal Guidelines Do Not Classify Hardness as Unsafe

While hardness is monitored for water quality aesthetics, federal sampling in New Castle County shows no exceedances of hardness limits indicating unsafe water.

What You Should Not Conclude from Area Water Data

Regional aquifer sampling does not specify your household’s water hardness. Only direct testing of your water can confirm your exact conditions and the necessity for treatment. Presence of minerals measured regionally does not guarantee your water will cause spotting, nor does it imply an unsafe condition.

For managing spot-free dishes in New Castle County, consider testing your water and evaluating your household’s daily water use. The Autotrol Spotty Dishes & Glassware System ships ready to configure and can address mineral-related spotting when your water profile warrants treatment.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2014-10-14. 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 217PTMC aquifer (New Castle County): 7 results from 7 wells, median 62.3 mg/L, range 10.5-432.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold