Record of Nitrate Variability from 2010 to 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey collected 42 nitrate measurements from 10 different wells in the Middlesex County aquifer 112SRFD between May 24, 2010, and September 26, 2019. Sample depths ranged from 19 to 93 feet. Among these samples, nitrate was detected in 38 results, with concentrations ranging from as low as 0.103 mg/L to as high as 26.8 mg/L. Four samples were below the reporting threshold. This demonstrates that nitrate levels in this aquifer fluctuate over time and location.
How Public System Records Differ from Private Well Testing
The USGS data reflect area-wide nitrate concentrations for the aquifer but do not represent any one household’s water. Private wells can have unique water quality due to local geology, well depth, and nearby land use. Without a direct test of household water, the precise nitrate concentration in your water remains unknown. Public system data provide trends and potential risk areas but not definitive household conditions.
Interpreting the Median and Range as a Middlesex County Resident
The median nitrate concentration across the sampled wells was 2.495 mg/L, indicating a typical nitrate level near this value for the area. The range extends up to 26.8 mg/L, which shows some wells have historically had nitrate concentrations exceeding 10.0 mg/L, the federal maximum contaminant level meant to protect health. This range suggests some locations or times may see nitrate above health-based thresholds, but most samples fall below or near it.
Distinguishing Nitrate from Similar Water Issues
Nitrate is a nitrogen-based compound primarily from fertilizers, septic systems, and natural soil processes. It differs from nitrite, another nitrogen compound, and from general water hardness or mineral content, which do not affect health the same way. Unlike aesthetic concerns such as taste or staining caused by chloride or total dissolved solids, nitrate involves a focused health standard and requires targeted treatment methods to reduce.
What the Range Means Compared to the Federal Standard
Of the sampled results, six exceeded the federal nitrate maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10.0 mg/L, which is a health-based threshold established to limit potential risks, especially for infants and pregnant women. However, detections below or above the MCL in these samples are not direct indicators of a particular well’s safety or violation. The data show that nitrate presence is variable and requires confirmation by household testing to determine actual exposure.
Next Steps: Testing and Treatment Guidance
To confirm the nitrate concentration in your household water, you should order a comprehensive nitrate analysis from a certified laboratory. This test is the only way to determine the exact nitrate level at your tap. If nitrate levels are elevated and existing equipment cannot keep up with demand, water treatment devices like the Autotrol Nitrate & Nitrite Filter system ship ready to configure to manage nitrate effectively. This system uses proven technology to reduce nitrate and nitrite concentrations in residential well water, supporting household water quality needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-26. 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 112SRFD aquifer (Middlesex County): 42 results from 10 wells, median 2.495 mg/L, range 0.103-26.8 mg/L; 6 above a health-based federal MCL (federal MCL 10.0 mg/L)
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