Metallic Taste in Plymouth County Water: What Government Data Shows for Aquifer 112SRFD

Are you noticing a metallic taste in your household water? In Plymouth County, Massachusetts, this question is common among residents drawing from aquifer 112SRFD. Answering it requires understanding regional water composition and what it might mean for your home.

If your water has a metallic taste, what does government sampling in Plymouth County reveal?

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) groundwater tests from 2010 to 2019 sampled 17 wells in the 112SRFD aquifer within Plymouth County. Copper was detected in 24 of 35 results, with concentrations ranging from 0.51 to 64.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and a median value of 1.35 µg/L. None of these measurements exceeded federal standards for copper in drinking water. This means while copper is present at varying levels, the data does not indicate a regulatory violation or health-based exceedance in the area samples.

If you see copper levels described as detected, median, or range in sampling records, what do these terms mean?

• Detected: Copper was found by the measuring instrument in that specific sample, but this alone does not indicate a problem or legal limit being surpassed.
• Median: The middle value of all copper measurements in the sample set, showing a typical concentration across the sampled wells.
• Range: The spread from lowest to highest copper concentration measured among all wells sampled, indicating natural variability.

Since the data is from multiple wells over nearly a decade, it reflects regional groundwater quality but cannot specify your household’s exact water composition. A direct test of your household water is necessary to determine its specific copper content.

If you use the Pentair Metallic-Tasting Water Filter, what maintenance is involved?

This system ships ready to configure and requires periodic attention to keep it effective. Maintenance generally involves replacing its filtering element according to water usage and quality, which can vary household to household. Following manufacturer guidelines on timing ensures continual removal or neutralization of substances that contribute to metallic taste.

If metallic taste from copper remains untreated for years, what can happen?

Long-term presence of copper at typical regional levels does not pose a documented health risk according to federal standards. However, ongoing metallic taste can affect water enjoyment and might gradually cause staining on fixtures. Addressing this issue improves household water quality and appliance longevity without health alarm.

If copper’s aesthetic secondary standards differ from health-based limits, what does this mean?

Copper aesthetic standards relate to taste, color, and staining potential but differ from enforceable health-based limits. Exceeding these secondary standards does not imply water is unsafe; rather, it signals conditions that may affect water’s sensory qualities or household appearance. Understanding this distinction helps frame what metallic taste indicates and the role of treatment technology.

In summary, if you measure your household’s copper level and find a metallic taste affecting your water, the Pentair Metallic-Tasting Water Filter offers a documented way to reduce these effects. It is designed to meet demand based on your water quality test results and usage patterns, providing an effective response tailored to your needs.

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 Copper in the 112SRFD aquifer (Plymouth County): 35 results from 17 wells, median 1.35 ug/L, range 0.51-64.4 ug/L; none above any federal threshold