Household Acidic Water Concerns in Florida Aquifers and Regional pH Range Insights

pH Levels in Florida Aquifers: What Government Data Shows

The U.S. Geological Survey has collected groundwater pH measurements from 15 separate wells in a Florida aquifer area over a ten-year period ending in 2020. Their compiled data includes 32 samples, with pH values ranging from 6.5 to 8.0 standard units and a median pH of 7.25. This pH range represents neutral to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline water but remains within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's secondary standard for pH, which is 6.5 to 8.5. It’s important to note that this standard addresses aesthetic qualities and corrosion potential, not health safety.

What pH Means for Your Water

pH measures how acidic or basic water is. Water with a pH below 7.0 is acidic, which can lead to corrosivity in plumbing systems and might affect taste, odor, and staining. Water above 7.0 is more alkaline. Although the EPA secondary standard covers pH levels from 6.5 to 8.5, being at the low end indicates acidity, potentially raising concerns for household water use and plumbing.

Why Regional Data Does Not Define Your Water’s pH

While these measurements provide an overview of groundwater conditions in the region, they do not specify the condition of your particular well or water source. Groundwater pH can vary even within the same aquifer. To understand your household’s water chemistry accurately, testing your own water is essential. This reveals if your water’s pH is outside the optimal range and whether treatment is needed.

Implications of Acidic Water at Home

• Corrosivity: Acidic water can corrode pipes and fixtures, causing metallic tastes or staining.
• Appliance wear: Corrosive water may shorten the lifespan of water-using appliances.
• Aesthetic concerns: Low pH water may affect taste or water clarity.

The Total Well Whole-Home Chemical Feed System for Acidic Water

When testing reveals acidic conditions that impact household water quality, a treatment option exists: the Total Well system. This complete chlorination whole-home unit uses chemical feed technology to adjust water chemistry and mitigate corrosivity. It ships ready to configure and is designed for system capacities around 48,000 grains and flow rates up to 9 gallons per minute, treating up to 17 gallons per day effectively.

How the Total Well System Helps

• Balances pH to reduce corrosive effects
• Improves water taste and protects plumbing and appliances
• Operates as a whole-home solution, treating water at the point of entry

Next Steps to Understand Your Water and Treatment Needs

To address concerns with acidic water, start by testing your well water for pH and other relevant parameters. Compare your results to regional data to understand context but make treatment decisions based on your specific water profile. If acidic conditions are confirmed, solutions like the Total Well chemical feed system offer a documented method to improve water quality and protect your household plumbing.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2020-09-17. 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 pH in the aquifer (FIPS ): 32 results from 15 wells, median 7.25 standard units, range 6.5-8.0 standard units; EPA secondary standard for pH is 6.5-8.5 (aesthetic/corrosivity, not health-based); 0 of 32 sampled results fell below 6.5

The documented solution

Complete Well Water And Chlorination System

Request a Quote