Fleck Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter

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If Your Iron Readings Vary by Season or Year

Between January 2010 and December 2025, 183 samples from three different wells in Arapahoe County’s aquifer 111ALFP show iron concentrations range from 5.8 to 706.0 micrograms per liter (ug/L), with a median value of 408.0 ug/L. Of these, iron was detected in 80 samples, while 103 fell below the reporting limit. This wide range and seasonal spread highlight that iron levels can vary significantly in local groundwater over time. While no federal threshold was exceeded, the fluctuation suggests periodic shifts in iron presence that may influence water quality perceptions and treatment needs.

If Your Well or Source is Differently Situated

The sampled wells yielding the iron data are relatively shallow, between 20 and 25 feet deep. Well depth and source type can influence iron concentration and its form, including the potential presence of iron bacteria. Deeper wells might experience different iron chemistry. Understanding your own well's characteristics is essential because the regional data represent area aquifer conditions, not your specific water. Homeowners should obtain their own certified laboratory iron tests to accurately assess their water's situation.

If You Have a Certified Lab Test for Iron

A certified laboratory report for iron will present concentrations typically in micrograms per liter (ug/L) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). It usually indicates whether the measured iron is above the minimum reporting limit but does not classify detections as violations or safety issues. Such reports strictly provide quantitative measures of iron presence, which must be interpreted in context. The U.S. federal government sets no enforceable maximum contaminant level for iron since it is a secondary standard focused on aesthetics, taste, and staining potential rather than health.

If You Compare Public System Records to Private Well Test Data

The government sampling data from Arapahoe County come from private wells in the aquifer. Public water systems have separate monitoring and reporting procedures. Public system records typically show if any health-based violations exist, which for iron is unlikely, as iron is not regulated as a health hazard. Private well owners bear responsibility for their own water testing and interpreting iron levels in relation to their household needs, considering seasonal and well-specific variations demonstrated in public data.

If You Notice Effects on Appliances or Fixtures

Iron bacteria can cause reddish-brown staining on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes. It can also create slime buildup in pipes, reducing water flow or clogging filters. Water heaters and humidifiers may develop deposits that affect operation. The presence of iron bacteria can be distinguished from other iron forms by the slimy deposits and odor sometimes associated with bacterial activity. These household effects are typically the first indicators prompting further water testing for iron bacteria.

If You Observe Household Signs Linked to Iron Bacteria

Common household signs suggesting iron bacteria include slimy residue inside toilet tanks, clogged water filters, or visible reddish biofilm in plumbing. However, not all water quality issues with iron produce clear signs, and some symptoms overlap with other minerals. Confirming iron bacteria requires laboratory analysis and informed interpretation of test results tied to regional iron presence data. Lack of certain symptoms does not rule out iron bacteria, nor does detection alone confirm it as the sole cause of water quality issues.

For households in Arapahoe County measuring elevated iron correlated with these symptoms, the Fleck Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter provides a documented approach to targeting iron bacteria and associated slime. This system ships ready to configure and is designed to address iron bacteria problems consistent with the concentration ranges found in the local aquifer, helping reduce staining, deposit buildup, and related water quality concerns based on your measured iron levels.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-12-12. 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 Iron in the 111ALFP aquifer (Arapahoe County): 183 results from 3 wells, median 408.0 ug/L, range 5.8-706.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold