Overview of Burlington County’s Aquifer Water Quality
Burlington County, New Jersey, receives its groundwater from the 121CKKD aquifer. This natural underground water source feeds residential wells, supplying water to household taps. Groundwater quality in this aquifer can vary due to natural mineral content and local geological conditions, influencing substances like iron and water hardness, which impact daily water use.
Scope and Significance of Sampling Data
The U.S. Geological Survey has collected 37 water samples from 13 wells in this aquifer area between 2010 and 2024. These wells range in depth from 10 to 102 feet and represent a snapshot of regional water characteristics. It is important to understand these figures describe the area’s water quality trends and not any one home’s specific water composition.
Distinguishing Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health Limits
Water characteristics like hardness (from calcium and magnesium) have secondary standards focused on water’s taste, staining, and effects on plumbing. None of the samples in the Burlington County aquifer exceeded federal health-based limits, indicating no established health risk from these constituents. However, elevated hardness or iron can still affect water usability and appearance.
Fixtures and Household Impact of Iron and Hardness
Hardness minerals and iron first affect hot water systems, faucets, and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. Accumulated minerals can cause scale buildup, reduce appliance efficiency, and cause staining on fixtures and laundry. Knowing where these issues commonly appear helps prioritize water treatment decisions.
Testing and Diagnosis Steps for Homeowners
Start with inexpensive checks like observing staining or scale deposits around water fixtures. Next, test water hardness and iron concentration using home test kits or professional laboratory analysis. Confirming actual water quality on-site is essential since regional data cannot substitute for local testing when choosing between water treatment approaches.
Interpreting Area Data: Median and Range Explained
The median hardness measured in the Burlington County aquifer is about 3.19 mg/L with a wide range up to 136.0 mg/L, demonstrating variability in mineral content across wells. For homeowners, this means water hardness may be very low or moderately elevated depending on their well location. Understanding this variability supports informed decisions about water treatment needs and system capacity sizing.
Summary and Reference
The water quality record for Burlington County’s aquifer 121CKKD is based on multiple samples across more than a decade, providing a broad view of typical groundwater conditions. For precise knowledge of household water composition, testing the local well is necessary. The C-Series Iron + Hard Water (Well) System offers a treatment option designed to address iron and hardness concerns effectively and ships ready to configure for residences facing these water quality factors.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling data, available at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/394640074323201/.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-06-05. 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 121CKKD aquifer (Burlington County): 37 results from 13 wells, median 3.19 mg/L, range 0.65-136.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold