Reading Median and Range Data as a Homeowner in Pottawatomie County
A common assumption is that when your existing water equipment cannot keep up, the water quality must be worsening dramatically or consistently high in total dissolved solids (TDS). However, U.S. Geological Survey sampling of six wells in aquifer 317GBWG shows a median TDS level of 69.5 mg/L with a range from as low as 0.08 mg/L to 227.0 mg/L. This means that in this area, TDS varies widely from sample to sample. Having equipment that struggles to meet demand does not necessarily imply the water is always near the high end or that TDS is steadily increasing. Rather, water characteristics can fluctuate naturally within a broad range, reflecting groundwater conditions at different depths and times.
The Strength and Limits of Six Wells and Sixteen Samples
The USGS sampled six different wells with depths between 110 and 200 feet, collecting a total of sixteen samples over roughly a year and a half. While this is a scientifically valid approach to characterize regional groundwater, it does not measure any single private well's water quality directly. The relatively small number of samples means some variability may go unmeasured at other times or locations. Therefore, homeowners should understand that these data represent a regional picture rather than a definitive statement about their well. Proper laboratory testing of a home's own water is the only way to know its exact TDS level.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variability Reflected in Sampling Dates and Ranges
The time span covered, from September 2011 to March 2013, captures seasonal and longer-term changes in aquifer water quality. Variations in recharge, rainfall, and groundwater flow can cause TDS values to fluctuate across this range. For example, a well may produce water with lower TDS after heavy rains and higher levels during drier periods. The record’s range from 0.08 to 227.0 mg/L over this period shows the natural dynamic behavior of TDS in this aquifer rather than a trend toward worsening quality.
Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits for TDS
Total dissolved solids influence taste, color, odor, and the potential for staining or corrosion in plumbing, but they are governed by secondary standards focused on aesthetics and plumbing effects, not health risks. None of the samples in this area exceeded federal health thresholds, meaning the measured TDS levels do not pose a safety concern. Aesthetic thresholds are more about consumer preferences and appliance longevity than regulatory safety. Understanding this distinction helps clarify that dealing with TDS is about comfort and equipment protection rather than health hazards.
What a Certified Laboratory Test Reports and How to Interpret It
A certified laboratory test for total dissolved solids typically reports the concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million. To interpret this, homeowners should compare their results to regional benchmarks like those provided by the USGS, recognizing that their well may differ significantly. A single test provides a snapshot of water quality at that time, so periodic testing can be important for tracking changes. Since the Autotrol Complete Well System has a grain capacity of 32,000, it is designed to handle significant sediment and dissolved solids load relative to typical well water, providing reliable performance for households facing increasing water demand beyond their current equipment’s capabilities.
The USGS groundwater sampling data from six wells in aquifer 317GBWG within Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, provide a regional scope of total dissolved solids variability, covering samples taken between September 2011 and March 2013. For direct access to this government source and further details, visit the USGS monitoring location 352104097044701.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2013-03-13. 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 Total dissolved solids in the 317GBWG aquifer (Pottawatomie County): 16 results from 6 wells, median 69.5 mg/L, range 0.08-227.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold