1. Review the Sampling Behind the Hardness Figures
In Androscoggin County, Maine, groundwater hardness in the bedrock aquifer is represented by three samples from separate wells taken between August and October 2011. These wells were between 262 and 304 feet deep, providing a limited but valuable snapshot of regional water quality. The median hardness measured was 64.7 mg/L, with values ranging from 54.5 to 89.3 mg/L. While these samples are too few to fully represent every well, they indicate that hardness is consistently present at a moderate concentration in this geological setting.
2. Understand How Hardness Constituent Enters the Groundwater
Hardness in this area primarily comes from calcium and magnesium minerals dissolving into the bedrock aquifer through natural geological processes. These minerals are part of the aquifer's makeup and leach into the groundwater over time, creating hardness that can affect water handling and usage. This is typical in bedrock aquifers where mineral content is higher than in some other water sources such as shallow sand or gravel aquifers.
3. Consider How Water Use Scale Affects Treatment Needs
Commercial operations in Androscoggin County often require larger volumes of water than households. This means that even moderate hardness can lead to scaling buildup in pipes, boilers, and other commercial equipment more quickly. Seasonal or second properties might observe different hardness impacts due to water use frequency. Understanding these patterns is crucial for sizing and specifying treatment solutions accurately for continuous, heavy, or intermittent commercial use.
4. Differentiate Between Public System Records and Private Well Testing
The three sampled wells represent private groundwater supplies and not the public water system. Public system records generally cover a wider area with more frequent sampling but focus on regulatory compliance. Private well testing, on the other hand, is necessary to determine the exact hardness at your location. Relying solely on area data provides guidance, but a specific water test is needed to confirm your water chemistry before selecting treatment equipment.
5. Prepare Key Information for Treatment Consultation
Before requesting a treatment quote, commercial operators should record the hardness level obtained from their own water test, the volume of water used daily, and details about their bedrock well depth if available. This data helps water treatment providers size and specify the appropriate equipment, such as commercial system skids. Precise information leads to a more accurate quote tailored to your operational demands.
6. Read and Interpret a Certified Laboratory Test for Hardness
A certified water test for hardness will report calcium and magnesium concentrations, often expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/L) as calcium carbonate equivalent. Understanding these units and the total hardness number is essential. Compare your results with regional medians to assess whether your water hardness is typical for Androscoggin County’s bedrock aquifer. Remember, detected hardness is not a violation and does not indicate unsafe water; it is a factor to manage for equipment maintenance and operational efficiency.
Conclusion: For commercial operations in Androscoggin County concerned with hardness measured in the bedrock aquifer, the 36 Steel Tanks - Triplex Unit Skid offers a documented solution. This commercial system skid ships ready to configure, designed to handle the demand levels indicated by your specific hardness testing, ensuring effective hardness control tailored to your needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-10-13. 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 Hardness, Ca, Mg in the BEDROCK aquifer (Androscoggin County): 3 results from 3 wells, median 64.7 mg/L, range 54.5-89.3 mg/L; none above any federal threshold