Dry Skin in Burlington County: What Local Water Sampling Does and Does Not Reveal

Comparing Burlington County's Water Record with Nearby Areas Without Overreading It

Some assume that differences in water quality between counties like Burlington and neighboring areas automatically explain dry skin problems at commercial operations. The US Geological Survey samples aquifer 121CKKD in Burlington County and reports hardness-related minerals, but these regional figures don't automatically translate to local water conditions or skin effects. Dry skin may arise from many factors beyond these broad regional data.

Understanding What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Mean in This Area's Sampling

Water samples from 13 wells in Burlington County’s aquifer 121CKKD, collected from 2010 to 2024, show a median hardness of 3.19 mg/L and a range from 0.65 to 136.0 mg/L of calcium and magnesium. The term 'detected' means the measurement was above the instrument's reporting limit but does not imply any health or safety concern. The median is the middle value among samples, while the range shows lowest to highest values observed locally, not at a single source or well. None of these results exceeded federal standards, which focus on health safety and not on aesthetics or skin effects.

How Plumbing Material and Age Affect Dry Skin Issues Separately From Source Water

The materials used inside plumbing and how old those pipes are can influence water quality characteristics experienced at the faucet or point of use. Minerals may interact with pipes causing scaling or changes in water feel, which some associate with dry skin, independently of the source water’s actual mineral content. Commercial throughput constraints can complicate these dynamics by limiting the opportunity for water conditioning between service events.

How Well Depth and Source Type Influence Expectations of Water Quality

The sampled wells ranged from 10 to 102 feet deep, tapping various parts of the aquifer. Water chemistry can vary with depth due to geologic layers and flow paths, so commercial operators should be cautious about applying area-wide data directly to their supply. The source type—whether public system or private well—also affects what water quality changes might occur before water reaches the user.

What Information to Record Before Seeking Treatment Advice

Before exploring water treatment options, commercial operators should document the following:

• Water test results specific to their own source, focusing on minerals associated with dry skin sensations
• The volume and throughput requirements between service intervals
• Details on plumbing materials and system age
• Operating schedules and any observed fluctuations in water characteristics

This information ensures that any solution addresses actual, local conditions rather than generalized regional data.

Distinguishing This Dry Skin Problem from Other Commonly Confused Issues

Dry skin attributed to water quality is often mistaken for problems caused by detergents, air humidity, or underlying dermatological conditions. In Burlington County, the presence of low to moderate hardness minerals detected regionally does not by itself cause dry skin. It is important to differentiate skin symptoms related to water mineral content from those unrelated before pursuing commercial water treatment.

Recommended Test to Confirm Water’s Role in Dry Skin

The single most definitive step is to have a comprehensive water analysis performed on the actual water in use at your commercial operation. Testing should include calcium and magnesium levels along with other minerals known to affect water feel. Only these direct results can confirm whether water mineral content contributes to dry skin complaints and justify considering a commercial water softening system such as the Nelsen 450,000 Grain Skid-Mounted Commercial Water Softener, designed to handle high capacity needs and throughput between service events.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-06-05. 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 Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 121CKKD aquifer (Burlington County): 37 results from 13 wells, median 3.19 mg/L, range 0.65-136.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold