Background on El Paso County Aquifer 111VLFL and Water Delivery
Water tapped in El Paso County comes from the 111VLFL aquifer, where wells ranging from 36 to 183 feet deep draw groundwater. This underground source provides water that eventually reaches household taps through local water systems. Understanding how this aquifer's characteristics impact water quality helps residents interpret recorded data and manage water treatment needs.
How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Appears in Local Sampling Records
Sampling Range Dates and Depths
Water samples have been collected from 17 wells in the aquifer over more than fourteen years, from February 10, 2010, to August 21, 2024. These samples represent a wide monitoring window capturing possible seasonal and annual fluctuations in constituent levels.
Observed Nitrite Concentration Range
In 298 samples, nitrite was detected in 50 instances and was below the reporting limit in 248 others. Values ranged from 0.001 to 0.021 milligrams per liter, with a median concentration of 0.005 mg/L. This range shows variability but remains far below any federal health threshold.
Meaning of Terms Found in the Sampling Record
What 'Detected' Means
A 'detected' result signifies that nitrite was measurable in a sample above the laboratory's reporting limit, but it is not an indication of an unsafe condition or violation. Many samples with no detection simply measured levels below the instrument's ability to identify nitrite.
Understanding Median and Range
The median value divides measured samples so that half contained lower, half higher nitrite concentrations. The range indicates the spread of all measurements, from the lowest detected to the highest within the set period and locations.
Distinguishing Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health-Based Limits
Why Nitrite Levels Are Monitored
Nitrite is tracked primarily because of health concerns at elevated levels, but the EL Paso County groundwater data show no instances exceeding federal health-based criteria. Any nitrite presence within these detected levels does not trigger water safety violations.
Difference Between Secondary and Primary Standards
Secondary standards address issues such as taste, staining, or corrosion potential, while primary standards enforce limits protecting health. Nitrate and nitrite have defined primary thresholds, but the data here do not indicate exceedances, so aesthetic considerations alone would not necessitate action.
Additional Questions for Commercial or Industrial Water Users
Complex Water Quality Parameters
Commercial or industrial users often require detailed profiles including other chemical parameters and flow rates. Their evaluation may include cumulative effects of multiple constituents and regulatory compliance beyond basic nitrate presence.
Household Focused Questions
For households, the critical question is whether nitrate or nitrite levels approach health limits requiring treatment. Local data clarify that typical aquifer concentrations remain safely below concern levels.
Comparing El Paso County Records with Neighboring Areas
Understanding Regional Differences
Nearby counties may show different nitrate or nitrite patterns due to agricultural practices, geology, or other factors. Comparing data requires care not to assume that higher values in an adjacent county apply to El Paso County wells.
How to Use Comparison Data
Comparison helps contextualize your area’s water conditions but does not replace testing of your household water source. Regional data support general awareness but must be supplemented with well-specific results for decisions on treatment.
Final Recommended Step for Households with Failed Equipment
If existing water treatment equipment has failed, the necessary next step is to order a comprehensive nitrate and nitrite test of your own well or water source. This individual analysis will reveal the exact concentration present.
Should the test indicate elevated levels approaching regulatory limits, the C-Series Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter system ships ready to configure for residential use and provides a documented solution to reduce nitrate and nitrite concentrations effectively.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-08-21. 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 Nitrite in the 111VLFL aquifer (El Paso County): 298 results from 17 wells, median 0.005 mg/L, range 0.001-0.021 mg/L; none above any federal threshold