Iron Bacteria in Hillsborough County NH Bedrock Aquifer: What the USGS Data Reveal
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How extensive is the USGS sampling of iron bacteria in Hillsborough County's bedrock aquifer?
The recorded data come from 118 samples collected from 117 wells ranging between 110 and 1100 feet deep across Hillsborough County. These samples were gathered over a period spanning early 2012 to late 2013. This sample size provides a broad overview of iron presence in this specific bedrock aquifer but represents multiple wells, not any single household's supply.
Because these are area-wide figures, they inform about the regional aquifer characteristics rather than individual well conditions. A homeowner wanting to understand their own water's iron bacteria situation would need to conduct specific testing for their source.
How does water treated with the Pentair Iron Bacteria & Slime Filter differ at the tap?
Once this filtering technology is in use, it targets iron bacteria and slime to reduce their effects on the water's aesthetic qualities, such as discoloration and slime buildup in plumbing. Treated water typically shows less staining and improved clarity compared to untreated sources affected by iron bacteria.
This system ships ready to configure, enabling household water supplies to be managed directly with minimal complexity while improving water quality related to iron bacteria.
Why do secondary aesthetic standards for iron differ from health-based limits?
Iron concentrations found in the samples ranged from 70 to 13,000 micrograms per liter (ug/L) with a median of 180 ug/L. Importantly, none of these results exceeded federal health-based thresholds. Iron's primary impact is usually aesthetic, affecting taste, color, and scaliness rather than posing a direct health risk.
Secondary standards set limits to protect plumbing integrity and appearance of water but are not enforceable safety levels. Understanding this distinction helps prevent unnecessary concerns when iron is present below federal limits.
What household symptoms may or may not indicate iron bacteria presence?
Signs that often correlate with iron bacteria include reddish or brown staining on fixtures and laundry, slimy deposits inside pipes or storage tanks, and sometimes unpleasant metallic tastes. These signs are related to iron bacteria's ability to deposit iron oxides and slime.
However, symptoms like cloudy water without color, foul odors unrelated to metallic smells, or dry skin are generally not caused by iron bacteria and should prompt looking for other water issues.
How does the documented Pentair treatment technology remove or neutralize iron bacteria?
This Pentair system uses a filtration process specifically designed to target iron bacteria and associated slime. It captures iron bacteria colonies and iron particles, preventing accumulation on plumbing surfaces and improving water clarity and appearance.
The technology works without requiring extensive modifications to household water systems and ships ready to configure for direct consumer use.
How can a homeowner interpret the median and range of USGS iron data for their well?
The median value of 180 ug/L indicates that half of the sampled wells had iron concentrations below this level, while the range extending up to 13,000 ug/L reflects variability in the aquifer depending on depth and location. Homes with iron bacteria problems might fall anywhere within this range, but without testing their own well, they cannot assign a specific concentration.
Recognizing the range helps homeowners understand that iron presence can differ greatly in the county's bedrock aquifer, underscoring the need for targeted water testing before deciding on treatment steps.
What should homeowners not infer from regional iron bacteria data?
It is important not to conclude that their own household water contains the median or maximum concentrations found in the area samples. Area data provide context but do not establish individual well conditions. Additionally, detection of iron at any level in these samples is not a violation of federal health standards and does not imply unsafe water.
To make informed decisions, homes should test their water directly for iron bacteria levels. This allows for choosing the appropriate treatment based on actual water quality rather than regional averages or extremes.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2013-09-20. 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 BEDROCK aquifer (Hillsborough County): 118 results from 117 wells, median 180.0 ug/L, range 70.0-13000.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold