For households facing iron and rust concerns, government data can clarify what is typical in a region’s water but cannot precisely indicate what is in an individual well or tap. In Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampled groundwater from multiple wells in aquifer 112SRFD between 2010 and 2019. This data helps frame expectations about iron presence but does not replace testing your own water directly.
Common Belief: Iron Levels Are Consistent Year-Round
The USGS sampling in Plymouth County spans over nine years, from mid-2010 to late 2019, with 35 results gathered from 17 distinct wells. This extended timeframe reveals that iron concentrations in this aquifer exhibit a broad range, from as low as 3.8 micrograms per liter (µg/L) up to 61,700 µg/L. These fluctuations reflect natural seasonal or multi-year variation within the aquifer rather than a steady iron level. Detected iron was present in 23 samples and below reporting limits in 12, showing that iron levels can vary widely over time and location.
Common Belief: You Can Choose Treatment Without Knowing Your Water’s Specific Iron Content
Before deciding on an approach for iron and rust treatment, it's important to document your own water's quality. Government data like the USGS sampling offers regional context—median iron concentration for this aquifer is about 20.4 µg/L—but does not establish your well’s iron concentration. Testing your water with a certified laboratory is necessary to understand the actual iron content and form. This knowledge influences which technical approach will effectively address staining or discoloration.
Common Belief: Well Depth or Source Type Has No Impact on Iron Levels
The USGS samples from Plymouth County wells ranged in depth from 8 to 166 feet. Iron concentrations often depend on well depth and aquifer characteristics. Shallow wells may encounter different iron chemistry than deeper wells due to geological variation. Aquifer 112SRFD data shows that iron presence is variable across these depths, suggesting that well construction affects water quality. Knowing your well depth and source type aids in anticipating potential iron issues and tailoring treatment accordingly.
Common Belief: Commercial Water Concerns Are the Same as Household Problems
While this page focuses on households, commercial or industrial operators may need to consider additional factors such as water volume, flow rate, and the impact of iron on equipment longevity. These operational questions influence treatment system capacity and service intervals. Residential users primarily address aesthetic and staining issues. Households can benefit from understanding their own water to ensure the chosen treatment fits their usage patterns and iron challenges.
Common Belief: Public Water System Records Reflect Private Well Conditions
Public water systems must comply with federal health standards for iron and other constituents, often providing water treatment at scale. However, the USGS groundwater sampling represents private wells and aquifer conditions rather than municipal supplies. Public system records may not fully reflect the iron variability found in private wells drawing from the same aquifer. Homeowners relying on private wells should rely on direct testing and consider local aquifer data as a general guide, not a definitive assessment.
In summary, the USGS groundwater sampling for Plymouth County’s aquifer 112SRFD offers valuable insight into the iron concentration range homeowners might expect, showing detected iron from 3.8 to 61,700 µg/L with a median of 20.4 µg/L over nearly a decade. No federal threshold was exceeded in these samples, confirming no regulatory iron limit was surpassed within this dataset. To address iron and rust staining effectively, you need to know your specific water chemistry by testing your own well water. For households weighing treatment options, the C-Series Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter offers a documented solution designed to manage the iron and rust concerns typical in this region. This system ships ready to configure, supporting homeowner control over water quality improvement. For detailed sample data, visit the USGS monitoring location for Plymouth County aquifer 112SRFD.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-05. 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 Iron in the 112SRFD aquifer (Plymouth County): 35 results from 17 wells, median 20.4 ug/L, range 3.8-61700.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold