Iron Bacteria in James City County: Understanding Aquifer 110QRNR Water Data

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1. What the Measured Iron Range Means Against Federal Standards

The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 13 wells in James City County's aquifer 110QRNR between November 20 and 22, 2017. Iron was detected in every well, with values ranging from 462 to 56,200 micrograms per liter. None of these measurements exceeded any federal health-based thresholds for iron. This means while iron is present, these regional results do not indicate unsafe water by regulatory standards. However, iron presence can still affect water quality in ways important to households.

2. Maintenance Rhythm of the C-Series Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter

The C-Series System addresses iron bacteria and slime by filtering the water to reduce these deposits and microbial growth. It ships ready to configure for household use. Typical maintenance involves periodic backwashing and routine checks to keep the filter media effective. This approach does not require specialized servicing but should be part of regular water system care to maintain performance.

3. A Worked Example: Reading the Median and Range as a Homeowner

In the James City County sample set, the median iron concentration was 13,200 micrograms per liter. This midpoint means that half the wells had iron levels above and half below this figure within the range observed. A homeowner referencing this data can understand iron presence varies substantially across local wells, so their own water could differ significantly from these values.

4. Understanding 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in the Sampling Record

'Detected' means the instrument measured iron present in all 13 wells; none had levels below detection. The 'median' is the middle value of all measurements, providing a central tendency measure that helps represent typical conditions. The 'range' shows the lowest and highest iron levels found, illustrating variability in aquifer iron concentrations. These terms do not indicate safety or specific home water quality.

5. Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Users

While households focus on taste and staining caused by iron bacteria, commercial and industrial users must also consider equipment protection, process impacts, and regulatory compliance. They might require more frequent monitoring, larger capacity filtration, or customized system features, reflecting their higher water volume and operational demands compared to residential settings.

6. Effects of Leaving Iron Bacteria Untreated Over Time

If iron bacteria are not addressed, deposits can accumulate in plumbing and fixtures, causing discoloration and slime buildup. This can reduce water flow, increase maintenance needs, and lead to unpleasant water appearance and taste. Over years, untreated iron bacteria may cause biofilm growth that complicates water treatment and system cleanliness.

What You Should Not Conclude From These Area Data

Measurements from aquifer 110QRNR wells in James City County provide a regional snapshot only. They do not reveal the iron concentration or iron bacteria levels in your own household water. Testing your water specifically is necessary to determine your precise iron bacteria situation and inform treatment choices. The regional data helps understand the potential for iron bacteria but does not replace personal water quality analysis.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2017-11-22. 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 110QRNR aquifer (James City County): 13 results from 13 wells, median 13200.0 ug/L, range 462.0-56200.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold