Government water sampling in Harrison County, MS, aquifer 122HBRG reveals iron was detected in most tested wells, with a median level of 7.3 micrograms per liter (ug/L) across 18 samples from nine wells collected between 2010 and 2015. The measured range extended from 3.9 to 13.1 ug/L, all below federal health thresholds. This data gives an overview of regional groundwater quality but does not specify your household well’s condition.
How Public-System Records Differ from Private-Well Testing in What They Establish
The US Geological Survey data represents a snapshot from deep wells (1333 to 1860 feet) throughout Harrison County’s 122HBRG aquifer. These results reflect area-wide groundwater characteristics, not individual residential wells. Only a test of your household water can confirm its iron bacteria levels. Public records indicate what can be typical in the region but cannot diagnose your well’s water quality.
What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean
The iron levels measured in this aquifer are well below federal health-based standards, meaning no safety concern is established by these data. Detection means the element was measurable, not that it poses a violation or health risk. Iron is often monitored for aesthetic reasons, as it can cause discoloration or affect taste and cleanliness rather than health.
A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would
The median value of 7.3 ug/L informs what a typical iron concentration might be in the region’s deep groundwater, with variability reflected by the range from 3.9 to 13.1 ug/L. This suggests that some wells naturally have higher iron levels, which could influence the appearance or function of water in the home. However, actual levels in your well could be higher or lower; only direct testing will answer that.
Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits, Applied to This Constituent
Iron is subject to secondary standards focused on taste, staining, and infrastructure impact rather than health. These thresholds help ensure water does not cause undesirable effects like rust stains or metallic taste. Exceeding a secondary standard is not a safety violation but an aesthetic concern that may warrant treatment to protect plumbing and improve water quality perception.
What Changes for a Large Household, a Second Home, or a Seasonal Property
Household size and usage patterns influence treatment system sizing. Larger homes or those with multiple bathrooms may demand filters with higher capacity. Seasonal or second homes might require different operational considerations, such as ensuring the system remains effective after periods of inactivity or variable flow. Understanding your property's daily water use is critical when evaluating treatment options.
How to Judge Treatment Capacity Against the Household's or Facility's Daily Demand
A treatment system like the Fleck Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter ships ready to configure for residential use. Its capacity should match your household’s average daily water consumption while addressing the likely iron bacteria content revealed by your well’s test. Proper sizing helps maintain water quality, prevents slime buildup, and protects fixtures against staining and clogging.
To resolve uncertainty about your well’s iron bacteria level, have a certified laboratory conduct a comprehensive water test specific to your residence. If iron bacteria or related slime is confirmed, the Fleck Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter offers an engineered solution to reduce these constituents and improve water quality for household needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2015-04-28. 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 122HBRG aquifer (Harrison County): 18 results from 9 wells, median 7.3 ug/L, range 3.9-13.1 ug/L; none above any federal threshold