Sizing Your Complete Well Water Treatment in Vermilion Parish with Area Aquifer Data

The decision this week is sizing the right complete well water treatment system for your household water needs in Vermilion Parish, LA, informed by local aquifer water quality data.

What do 'detected', 'median', and 'range' mean in the sampling record on this page?

The U.S. Geological Survey sampled total dissolved solids (TDS) in wells tapping the Vermilion Parish aquifer labeled 112CHCTU. Detected means TDS was measured by instruments in all eight samples collected. Median refers to the middle value of these results, 233.5 mg/L, showing a typical concentration among samples but not a fixed level for any individual well. The range from 0.3 to 613.0 mg/L describes the lowest and highest TDS values found in these samples, indicating variability in water quality across the aquifer. These figures reflect area conditions, not your household well's TDS.

How many samples and wells stand behind these figures, and what does a small sample mean?

The data come from eight sample results collected from three different wells within Vermilion Parish between 2014 and 2020. This small number of samples means the record provides an overview, not a comprehensive profile of the entire aquifer or every well. Variability is expected, and local conditions can differ considerably. Your own well water may vary and requires testing for exact analysis.

How do sample depth, well depth, or source type influence what a household should expect?

The sampled wells ranged in depth from 75 to 378 feet. Well depth can affect water composition; deeper wells may encounter different rock formations or strata affecting dissolved solids. Your well’s depth and construction can influence TDS levels and water characteristics. This aquifer data helps anticipate conditions but does not replace your specific well’s water test.

What household water symptoms do and do not point to total dissolved solids issues?

Higher TDS levels can affect water taste and cause staining on fixtures or laundry but are aesthetic concerns, not health risks at the levels found here. Symptoms such as bitter or salty taste or visible residue can suggest elevated TDS. However, TDS does not cause health problems. If you have cloudiness, unusual colors, or odors, other water quality issues may be involved. Professional water testing can clarify which constituents are present.

What questions might a commercial or industrial operator have that a household would not?

Commercial operators often consider water quality variability over time and flow rates due to operational demands, requiring larger treatment capacity and compliance with strict regulations. Households generally focus on improving water aesthetics and ensuring enough treated water for daily use. Therefore, sizing a treatment system for a household primarily involves balancing average daily water consumption with the system’s grain capacity, here 32,000 grains, suitable to handle typical residential TDS levels found locally.

What does the measured TDS range mean against the relevant federal standard, and what does it not mean?

The secondary federal standard for TDS is 500 mg/L, intended as a guide for taste and staining effects. In the sampled area, two results were above this secondary standard, but this is not a health violation or safety issue. Instead, it suggests some water may taste mineralized or cause stains. Values below or above this threshold do not indicate unsafe water. Understanding this distinction helps in selecting appropriate treatment that targets aesthetic factors without implying a health hazard.

In summary, the U.S. Geological Survey's TDS sampling record for three wells in Vermilion Parish’s aquifer 112CHCTU between 2014 and 2020 offers an area overview. Sizing your complete well water treatment system benefits from this data but depends on your well’s specific water test and household consumption. The Fleck Complete Well System, with its 32,000-grain capacity, ships ready to configure and is designed to address dissolved solids issues typical of this region effectively. For more details, consult the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater data source referenced above.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2020-10-22. 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 112CHCTU aquifer (Vermilion Parish): 8 results from 3 wells, median 233.5 mg/L, range 0.3-613.0 mg/L; 2 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 500.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding