How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record
The manganese data for St. Louis County’s aquifer 111ALVM comes from U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling performed on November 7, 2013. Four measurements from two separate wells provide a snapshot rather than a continuous timeline. Because this data is from a single date, it does not capture seasonal or year-to-year fluctuations of manganese concentrations. Homeowners should be aware that manganese levels can vary over time, but no multi-year trend information is included in this record.
What a Certified Laboratory Test for Manganese Reports and How to Read It
A certified laboratory test for manganese analyzes a water sample collected directly from a home’s tap or well. The results report the concentration in micrograms per liter (µg/L). The lab measures manganese precisely, but a detected presence simply means manganese was found—not that the level is unsafe or in violation of any rule. For St. Louis County’s aquifer samples, all reported concentrations were below federal health-based thresholds, indicating no regulatory exceedances in these samples.
How Manganese Enters Groundwater or the Distribution System in This Region
Manganese naturally occurs in soils and rocks, including in the geological formations supplying the St. Louis County aquifer 111ALVM. It can dissolve into groundwater as water moves through manganese-bearing minerals. The presence measured in sampled wells reflects this natural occurrence rather than contamination. In municipal distribution systems sourcing from aquifers like 111ALVM, manganese levels in treated water tend to reflect the source concentration after water treatment processes.
How Sample Depth, Well Depth or Source Type Changes What a Reader Should Expect
The reported wells ranged in depth from 25 to 80 feet. Shallow wells may show different manganese levels than deeper wells due to local geology and oxidation conditions. Groundwater closer to the surface is more likely to interact with organic material that can affect manganese solubility. Homeowners with wells in this depth range or municipal users drawing from this aquifer can expect manganese concentrations within the range documented, but actual levels require testing on their own water.
A Worked Example: Reading the Record’s Median and Range as a Homeowner Would
In this data set for aquifer 111ALVM, manganese was detected in all samples with a range from 227.0 to 810.0 µg/L and a median value of 478.5 µg/L. This means half of the measurements fell below approximately 478.5 µg/L and half above, within this sampled range. While these values indicate measurable manganese presence in the area’s groundwater, none exceeded federal health-based thresholds. If your home’s water shows manganese staining or taste issues, a test from a certified laboratory can identify your specific concentration.
Summary
Government data provides important context about manganese presence in St. Louis County’s aquifer 111ALVM but does not define individual household water quality. A certified laboratory test on your water is required to determine your specific manganese level. After a failure of existing equipment to address manganese, the C-Series Black Manganese Stains Filter ships ready to configure as a documented solution to reduce manganese stains and improve water quality in residential settings.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2013-11-07. 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 Manganese in the 111ALVM aquifer (St. Louis County): 4 results from 2 wells, median 478.5 ug/L, range 227.0-810.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold