Local Aquifer Characteristics and Water Delivery

New Hanover County's residential water primarily comes from groundwater drawn from aquifer 211PEED, where wells range from 42 to 220 feet deep. Groundwater moves through porous rock, collecting minerals including calcium and magnesium, which contribute to hardness. This groundwater is treated and delivered to homes, but understanding its qualities can guide your approach to water conditioning.

What a Certified Laboratory Test Reports and How to Read It

Hardness Measurement

A certified lab test for hardness measures calcium and magnesium combined, reported as milligrams per liter (mg/L). The results quantify the mineral content that causes hardness, affecting soap effectiveness and mineral buildup.

Acid Level (pH) Testing

Acidic water testing focuses on pH values, indicating how acidic or alkaline water is. This measure is separate from hardness and requires specific testing to determine whether acidic conditions exist.

Distinguishing Acid and Hardness from Related Water Problems

Distinguishing From Iron and Manganese

Iron and manganese can cause staining and discoloration but do not directly indicate hardness or acidity levels, which are separate chemical properties affecting water taste and soap performance.

Separating Hardness from Total Dissolved Solids

Hardness refers specifically to calcium and magnesium minerals, while total dissolved solids include a broader array of minerals and salts. Only hardness impacts scaling and water softness.

Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would

Median Hardness

The US Geological Survey sampled 66 tests from 46 wells in New Hanover County between 2012 and 2017. The median hardness was 249.0 mg/L, indicating a typical level of mineral content measured in local groundwater wells.

Range of Values

Samples ranged from 15.6 to 605.0 mg/L in hardness, showing variability in mineral concentration across different wells and depths.

No Federal Threshold Exceeded

None of these samples exceeded federal limits for hardness, which are advisory and aimed at aesthetic effects rather than health concerns.

Judging Treatment Capacity Against Household Demand

Capacity Considerations

When selecting a treatment system, consider total hardness grain capacity. A system with 32,000 grain capacity can handle typical residential needs in this region, balancing mineral removal with usage.

Daily Water Use

Estimate household water use and hardness levels to ensure the system’s capacity aligns with daily mineral load to optimize performance and longevity.

How Acid and Hardness Enter Groundwater in New Hanover County

Natural Geological Sources

Calcium and magnesium enter groundwater naturally as water moves through limestone and dolomite formations common in the aquifer.

Acidic Water Sources

Acidity may result from natural organic acids or environmental factors affecting pH but is unrelated to hardness minerals.

Meaning of 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in This Sampling Record

Detected

All 66 hardness results recorded measurable levels; detection simply means the minerals were present, not that they pose a problem.

Median

The median represents the middle value of all samples, providing a typical hardness level for the area’s groundwater.

Range

The range shows the lowest and highest measured values, illustrating variability and the need for individual well testing.

Recommended Test for Your Household Water

Order a certified laboratory test measuring hardness and pH on a sample from your own water source. Knowing your specific conditions allows selection of appropriate treatment technology such as the Autotrol Acidic Water + Hard Water (Well) System, which ships ready to configure and provides a 32,000 grain capacity suited for typical residential demand.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2017-05-25. 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 211PEED aquifer (New Hanover County): 66 results from 46 wells, median 249.0 mg/L, range 15.6-605.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold