What to Record from Your Water Test Before Considering Treatment
A laboratory test report for your water usually lists the concentration of certain minerals, including calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), which together contribute to what is called water hardness. In Harvey County's aquifer, U.S. Geological Survey data shows a median hardness of 279.5 mg/L, with a range from 120.0 to 680.0 mg/L based on samples from 20 wells. While these figures do not reflect your own water directly, they provide context for the mineral levels that could be present.
When deciding on a treatment, note the precise hardness level and specific amounts of calcium and magnesium reported by your water analysis. Having this information on hand is the first step before discussing or selecting any treatment option.
If You Observe Mild or No Noticeable Symptoms, Rule Out Simple Causes First
Before deciding on an advanced treatment, ensure that dry skin is not caused by other common factors such as low indoor humidity, harsh soaps, or frequent hot showers. If these are ruled out, then investigating your water mineral content through a laboratory test is advisable. Simple spot tests or hardness kits can provide a rough estimate but are not substitutes for a detailed report on calcium and magnesium levels, which are the primary contributors to mineral-related dryness.
If High Mineral Levels Are Confirmed, Learn How the Fleck Dry, Itchy Skin System Works
The Fleck System addresses dry skin linked to minerals through a process that removes calcium and magnesium ions from your water supply. This removal reduces the interaction of these minerals with your skin during bathing or washing, which can otherwise cause dryness and irritation. The system ships ready to configure and can be set up to treat the entire household water supply, providing consistent relief from mineral-related dryness.
If You Notice Dryness First at Bathing Fixtures and Faucets
Fixtures such as bathroom showers and faucets are usually the initial points where effects of mineral-rich water show up as dry, itchy skin. These minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, bind with soaps to form residues that diminish soap effectiveness and can leave deposits on skin. Addressing water quality at the household point of use helps prevent these symptoms from spreading to other processes or fixtures.
If You Encounter Water That Exceeds Aesthetic Secondary Standards but Meets Health-Based Limits
It is important to understand that mineral concentrations measured in Harvey County's water do not violate any federal health-based standards. Aesthetic secondary standards, such as taste or staining thresholds, are guidelines intended to address comfort and appearance rather than safety. Exceeding these guidelines is not a health violation and should not cause alarm, but it may contribute to dry skin or other minor issues.
If You See Terms Like 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Government Water Sampling Data
These terms describe water quality measurements for an area or aquifer, not for an individual well. "Detected" means that the instrument found the mineral in every sample tested in this group but doesn't imply a problem. "Median" is the middle value of the results collected, while "range" shows the lowest and highest levels found. Neither detection alone nor these statistical values can tell you your own water's exact condition without specific testing.
Do not conclude that your well water has the same mineral levels as the Harvey County aquifer samples. Only a direct laboratory analysis of your own water can determine this.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-12-07. 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 aquifer (Harvey County): 26 results from 20 wells, median 279.5 mg/L, range 120.0-680.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold