If you notice concerns about arsenic from regional water quality reports
Government groundwater sampling in Madison County’s aquifer 110QRNR shows arsenic detected in nearly all samples but always below any federal health-based thresholds. This means arsenic presence is measured regularly, but these detections do not imply any violation or that your own water exceeds safety limits. Understanding terms like detected, median, and range helps put these numbers into perspective.
What detected, median, and range mean in this area’s arsenic data
Detected means the testing instruments measured arsenic at concentrations above the reporting limit in nearly all the sampled wells. The median value of 1.4 micrograms per liter (ug/L) indicates that half of the results were above this concentration and half below. The overall range spans from 0.2 to 4.5 ug/L, representing the lowest and highest recorded concentrations in 14 samples from 11 wells gathered over a decade. None of these observations exceeded federal limits for arsenic in drinking water.
If you want to understand what these numbers mean for your household
Imagine you receive a lab test report for your own well water showing arsenic at or near these regional values. Because sampling wells ranged from 17 to 102 feet deep, your actual water arsenic concentration could differ based on your well’s depth and local geology. The median and range help frame typical arsenic levels but do not predict individual well conditions. Testing your exact water source is necessary to determine your specific arsenic situation.
If you know your well depth or source type differs markedly from those sampled
Arsenic concentrations can vary with depth of groundwater and local geological formations. Wells sampled in this area reached depths between 17 and 102 feet. If your well is much shallower or deeper, expect arsenic levels to possibly fall outside of this studied range. The type of aquifer and how it interacts with minerals can influence arsenic presence. Therefore, relying solely on area-wide data does not replace testing your own water to understand your specific arsenic profile.
If you want to weigh treatment options against your home’s water demand
After confirming arsenic levels through certified laboratory testing, consider the capacity needed to treat your household’s daily water use. Treatment devices designed to reduce arsenic employ media or filtration that have defined capacities before they require renewal or replacement. Match the treatment capacity to your typical water consumption and arsenic concentration to ensure effective and economical operation over time.
If you are comparing public water system records with private well testing
Public water systems report arsenic monitoring results frequently and must stay below regulatory limits; records from Madison County’s aquifer wells show no exceedance of federal arsenic standards. Private well owners do not have regulatory testing requirements but should regularly test their water to detect changes. While regional data provide context, private well testing is the definitive way to assess if arsenic treatment is needed for your household.
In summary, Madison County’s regional arsenic sampling shows consistent detection well below federal action levels, informing you about typical groundwater conditions. To decide on treatment, test your well to know your actual arsenic concentration, consider your well’s depth, daily water use, and then evaluate options such as the C-Series Arsenic Filter, which ships ready to configure and is designed to meet residential treatment needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2023-08-23. 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 110QRNR aquifer (Madison County): 14 results from 11 wells, median 1.4 ug/L, range 0.2-4.5 ug/L; none above any federal threshold