Local Aquifer and Water Delivery to Homes
The Yuma County groundwater aquifer supplies many residential wells, with water drawn from depths of 25 to 149 feet. This underground water moves through soil and rock before reaching household taps, carrying trace minerals including manganese naturally present in the region's geologic formations.
How Autotrol System Removes Manganese
The Autotrol Black Manganese Stains Filter uses a filtration process designed specifically to reduce manganese from water. It traps manganese particles and prevents typical discoloration and staining issues associated with manganese, making water more clear and improving household water appearance.
Stepwise Approach to Understanding Your Water
Begin by evaluating visible signs such as staining on fixtures or changes in water color. Next, simple water hardness or manganese test kits can provide preliminary information. For precise manganese levels, a laboratory test of a properly collected water sample from your own well is required, as local aquifer data cannot substitute for your well's actual condition.
Impact of Well Depth and Source Type
Since manganese concentrations can vary with depth, wells screened at different depths within the 25 to 149 feet range in Yuma County may have different manganese levels. Deeper wells may access different layers of the aquifer affecting manganese content. Surface water sources or municipal water systems have different profiles and are not represented by aquifer sampling.
First Affected Fixtures and Appliances
Manganese can cause brownish or black staining on sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Appliances using water, such as dishwashers and washing machines, may also show discoloration or deposits after time. Addressing manganese reduces maintenance and preserves appliance appearance and function.
Sampling Scope and Data Limitations
The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 37 wells in the Yuma County aquifer between April 2025 and April 2026. These samples were from separate wells at depths ranging 25 to 149 feet. While extensive, this data covers only a portion of the aquifer and cannot define specific well water quality everywhere.
Interpreting Median and Range for Your Household
The median manganese concentration from these samples is 830 micrograms per liter, with a range from 197 to 1480 micrograms per liter. This means half the wells were below 830 and half above, but all were below federal health-based thresholds. Your well may differ, so testing your own water is the only way to know your exact manganese level.
Government records show manganese was detected in every sample but never exceeded any federal limit. Detection indicates presence, not a safety violation.
In summary, these figures represent the aquifer as sampled but do not replace individual well testing.
Data source: U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring in Yuma County aquifer, 2025-2026. More details at waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/324345114425203/.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2026-04-09. 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 aquifer (Yuma County): 37 results from 36 wells, median 830.0 ug/L, range 197.0-1480.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold