What Area Sampling Can and Cannot Tell You About Your Household Water
Government data from the U.S. Geological Survey informs us that arsenic was measured in groundwater wells in Catron County’s aquifer 110AVMB. Four separate wells, sampled between April and September 2019 at depths ranging from 3 to 120 feet, showed arsenic detections in three wells with a median concentration of 0.61 micrograms per liter and values ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 micrograms per liter. However, these figures reflect regional data from sampled wells and do not specify the arsenic concentration in any individual household’s water. To know your own water’s arsenic level, a certified laboratory test of your water sample is necessary.
What Happens If Arsenic in Household Water Is Not Addressed Over Time
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can be found in groundwater in varying levels. While the concentrations found in the sampled wells in Catron County are below federal thresholds, chronic exposure to arsenic at higher levels—generally well beyond those reported here—can have health implications. Though this page does not assess individual water samples, untreated arsenic at elevated concentrations over many years may contribute to health risks as identified by public health research. Therefore, understanding your specific water quality is important to managing exposure.
How Sample Depth, Well Depth, or Source Type Influence Expected Arsenic Levels
The reported arsenic data for Catron County wells span a wide depth range (3 to 120 feet). Shallow wells can interact more directly with surface and near-surface geologic materials, potentially leading to different arsenic concentrations than deeper wells. Groundwater chemistry, mineral content, and geologic formations influence arsenic mobility and availability. Thus, the depth at which a household’s well is drilled and the aquifer it taps into can affect the arsenic concentration experienced in household water. The area data provides a context for typical concentrations but individual well conditions can vary.
What 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record
In the sampling data for Catron County aquifer 110AVMB, arsenic was measured in four wells. The term 'detected' means that the testing instruments identified some amount of arsenic in three of the four samples. One result was below the reporting limit, meaning it was too low for the instruments to measure reliably. The 'median' value is the middle concentration when results are arranged from lowest to highest; here, it is 0.61 micrograms per liter. The 'range' shows the spread between the lowest detected value (0.4 micrograms per liter) and highest (3.3 micrograms per liter). Importantly, none of these results exceeded any federal arsenic thresholds for safety.
Interpreting Certified Laboratory Test Reports Versus Public Water System Records
A certified laboratory test for your household water will provide a precise measurement of arsenic concentration specific to your well or supply source. This report typically details numerically exact amounts, measurement uncertainty, and detection limits. Public water system records often provide aggregated monitoring data for the entire system or region. In contrast, private wells rely on individual testing to establish current and accurate arsenic levels. Deciding on the right treatment equipment requires knowing your water’s arsenic concentration from a certified report rather than relying solely on regional or public data.
Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey’s 2019 sampling of four wells in Catron County’s aquifer 110AVMB found arsenic in three wells with a median concentration of 0.61 micrograms per liter and no results exceeding federal thresholds. These values represent regional groundwater measurements, not your household’s specific water quality. If your water test indicates the need for treatment, the Fleck Arsenic Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce arsenic content effectively. For more details about local water quality and sampling methods, visit the U.S. Geological Survey site for this aquifer.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-11. 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 Arsenic in the 110AVMB aquifer (Catron County): 4 results from 4 wells, median 0.61 ug/L, range 0.4-3.3 ug/L; none above any federal threshold