1. Understanding 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Graham County Iron Sampling
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted groundwater sampling in Graham County's aquifer N100BSNRGB, focusing on iron content from 2010 to 2014. 'Detected' means iron was measured in 18 out of 29 sample results across seven wells, but it does not imply a violation or unsafe level. The 'median' value is 62.7 micrograms per liter (ug/L), indicating the middle value among all measurements. The 'range' spans from 5.6 to 1300 ug/L, showing the lowest and highest iron levels found in these wells, which were between 83 and 1200 feet deep.
2. What a Certified Laboratory Test Reports for Iron and How to Read It
To know the iron level in your specific water supply, a certified laboratory test is necessary. Such a report details the concentration of iron in your water, usually measured in micrograms per liter. Comparing your result to local area data can provide context, but only your test confirms your household's iron content. Laboratory results will not state 'safe' or 'unsafe' but provide numeric values you can discuss with water treatment specialists or use to select appropriate technology.
3. A Homeowner’s Example: Interpreting Median and Range Values Locally
Suppose your test shows iron around the median level found in the Graham County aquifer—about 62.7 ug/L. This falls within the normal variation documented across multiple wells. However, given the range up to 1300 ug/L, some wells can have considerably higher iron levels. This explains why iron staining or rust usually varies in intensity in the area, and why equipment that previously controlled these issues may fail under fluctuating conditions.
4. How Iron Enters Groundwater in Graham County
Iron naturally occurs in the aquifer's geology and dissolves into groundwater over time as it passes through mineral-rich soils and rocks. Variations in well depth from 83 to 1200 feet impact iron levels because deeper wells can tap different mineral layers. Iron is primarily dissolved in water when extracted, potentially oxidizing and settling as rust when exposed to air in household plumbing.
5. Seasonal and Multi-Year Variations in Iron Levels
The sampling over nearly five years (2010-2014) illustrates that iron levels in Graham County groundwater fluctuate seasonally and over multiple years. Factors such as rainfall, groundwater recharge, and changes in aquifer chemistry impact the measured iron concentrations. This variability explains why iron problems might worsen or improve without any change to your household water system.
6. How Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter Addresses Iron and Rust
The Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter ships ready to configure as a direct purchase solution. It targets iron and rust staining by removing dissolved iron that causes reddish-brown discoloration and deposits. This equipment uses filtration technology designed specifically to treat iron-related aesthetic issues in residential water, helping restore clarity and prevent staining on fixtures and laundry.
Closing: What Not to Conclude from Area Iron Data
It is important not to assume your well’s iron concentration is exactly like the government sampling results for Graham County aquifer N100BSNRGB. Detected iron in the area does not mean your water is unsafe or in violation of any federal standards, as no sample exceeded federal thresholds. Only your own certified laboratory test can determine the iron content in your water, guiding proper treatment choices.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2014-11-20. 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 N100BSNRGB aquifer (Graham County): 29 results from 7 wells, median 62.7 ug/L, range 5.6-1300.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold