The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 16 wells in the Kent County, Delaware aquifer from December 2014 to December 2019, focusing on nitrite measurements relevant to nitrate concerns. The results showed nitrite detected in 6 out of 64 samples, with a median concentration of 0.0125 mg/L and all values remaining below federal thresholds.
Assessing Treatment Capacity Relative to Household Water Use
Estimate Average Daily Water Consumption in Your Home
Understanding your household's average daily water demand helps match treatment system capacity to actual needs. Common factors include family size, typical water usage patterns, and peak flow rates, which impact filter sizing and regeneration frequency.
Consider Variable Demand Times
Some days or seasons may involve greater water use, such as during lawn irrigation or hosting guests. Knowing these peaks aids in configuring systems that manage nitrate and nitrite without reducing water availability.
Information to Record Before Seeking Treatment Advice
Note Well Depth and Water Source Type
The Kent County aquifer wells sampled were 11 to 18 feet deep. Your well’s depth can influence contaminant levels and should be documented for treatment planning.
Document Local Water Testing History
Keep records of any previous nitrate or nitrite tests done on your water. Laboratory reports, including dates and methods, provide critical context when evaluating treatment options.
Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Operators
Track Total Volume of Water Treated Daily
Unlike typical residential users, businesses may require treatment for substantially larger water volumes, affecting system scale and maintenance schedules.
Account for Operational Variability
Commercial operations often have fluctuating water needs based on production schedules, which necessitates adaptable treatment solutions to maintain nitrate and nitrite control reliably.
Reading Certified Laboratory Test Results for Nitrite and Nitrate
Understand Reporting Limits
Laboratories provide detection limits indicating the smallest concentration measurable. The Kent County data contained many samples below reporting limits, emphasizing the importance of detection thresholds.
Recognize Median and Range Values
Median values offer a central tendency while ranges show variability. Use these to compare your home's test results to local aquifer figures; no detected nitrite in your water suggests levels similar to or below the area's medians.
Differences Between Public Water System Records and Private Well Testing
Public Records Reflect Area-Wide Sampling
The USGS data reflects measurements from multiple wells over several years, indicating general aquifer conditions rather than specific household water quality.
Private Well Testing Provides Site-Specific Results
Only a certified laboratory test of your own well water can confirm the nitrate and nitrite concentrations relevant to your household's safety and treatment needs.
In summary, government sampling from the Kent County aquifer shows low-level nitrite detections well below federal thresholds, based on 64 samples from shallow wells taken between 2014 and 2019. These data provide a helpful regional context but cannot substitute for testing your own water. For homes seeking nitrate and nitrite reduction, the C-Series Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to address these constituents effectively. For detailed laboratory testing and regional measurements, the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater data offers authoritative information at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/390634075433401/.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-12-10. 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 aquifer (Kent County): 64 results from 16 wells, median 0.0125 mg/L, range 0.001-0.053 mg/L; none above any federal threshold