Dry Skin Concerns in Colleton County Commercial Buildings Linked to Aquifer Water Characteristics

According to U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling, water drawn from the 120FLRD aquifer beneath Colleton County exhibits calcium and magnesium hardness levels detected in all tested wells. The median hardness was 37.85 mg/L, with results spanning from 7.37 to 148.0 mg/L over samples taken between 2011 and 2018. None of these measures exceeded any federal thresholds.

What a Certified Laboratory Test for Hardness Reports and How to Read It

Laboratory testing identifies concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions, collectively reported as hardness. This is expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Hardness readings help assess water’s potential effect on skin comfort and operational equipment. However, these numbers alone do not specify whether water will cause dryness or irritation; individual water must be tested to understand its full profile.

Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits for Hardness

The federal government sets secondary standards to advise on taste, scale buildup, and mineral staining, distinct from enforceable health limits. Hardness levels in Colleton County remain below these secondary guidelines, which means detected hardness by itself is not considered a health hazard but can influence skin feel and appearance.

How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record

Samples from 2011 through 2018 exhibit variability in hardness, ranging from low to moderately elevated values across wells at depths of 160 to 508 feet. This suggests natural fluctuations in aquifer mineral content over time. Commercial water users should consider periodic testing to monitor these changes, as they may influence water quality and related symptoms like dry skin.

The Role of Plumbing Material and Age, Separate From Source Water

Plumbing components and their condition can impact water characteristics delivered throughout a building independently of source water quality. Corrosion, pipe deposits, and interaction with water may alter mineral content and water pH, which can exacerbate skin dryness or irritation.

What Changes for a Large Commercial Building Compared to Smaller Settings

Treating water for an entire commercial building requires addressing higher volume and flow demands than a single outlet. Consistent conditioning is essential throughout the system to mitigate water hardness effects that contribute to dry skin among occupants. Whole-building solutions must be designed to handle these scalability requirements reliably.

For commercial operators in Colleton County facing dry skin concerns attributed in part to water hardness, a 42 Fiberglass Tanks-Single Unit Skid system offers a documented option. This commercial system skid ships ready to configure and is sized to manage whole-building water treatment demands, helping to adjust mineral content and support better skin comfort across your facility.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-11-06. 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 120FLRD aquifer (Colleton County): 4 results from 4 wells, median 37.85 mg/L, range 7.37-148.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold