Water in Navajo County often comes from deep wells drawing from the N300COPLTS aquifer. This groundwater supplies many households with their daily water through private wells or public water systems. Understanding the hardness levels in this source water can help residents decide if salt-free water softening is appropriate.
How many wells and samples support the hardness data for Navajo County’s aquifer?
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted groundwater sampling at three separate wells in the Navajo County area within the N300COPLTS aquifer during 2017. Each well was sampled once between August and October, with well depths ranging from 150 to 700 feet. These three data points represent a limited regional snapshot rather than a comprehensive survey. Because of the small sample size, hardness in any individual well may vary widely from this recorded range.
How do public water system records differ from private well testing for hardness?
Public water systems publish regular water quality reports that reflect the treated water delivered to customers and typically include health-based standards. These reports may not focus on hardness unless it affects taste or plumbing. Conversely, private well owners must perform specific water tests on their own water to establish actual hardness levels. Regional samples provide general guidance but cannot substitute for private well testing when deciding on treatment needs.
How does hardness enter Navajo County groundwater and impact household water?
Hardness in Navajo County’s aquifer primarily comes from dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals naturally present in the surrounding rock formations. As water passes through these formations, it picks up these dissolved minerals, resulting in the moderately hard to hard water observed. Households may notice effects like mineral deposits on fixtures and reduced soap effectiveness due to these minerals.
How does treated water change at the tap when using a salt-free scale control system?
When a C-Series Salt-Free Scale Control System is configured for a household’s water supply, it conditions the water without adding salt or exchanging minerals. This technology helps reduce scale buildup caused by calcium and magnesium without chemically softening the water. Water retains its mineral content but flows more smoothly through plumbing, limiting scale formation and extending appliance life.
What do 'detected', 'median', and 'range' mean in the Navajo County hardness sampling record?
In this sampling record, 'detected' means calcium and magnesium hardness were measured in all three samples taken. The 'median' is the midpoint value of the hardness levels and here is 210 mg/L, indicating typical hardness in the area’s sampled wells. The 'range' shows the lowest and highest measured hardness in the samples, from 105 to 284 mg/L. None of these values exceeded any federal health-based thresholds, meaning hardness itself is not a safety concern but rather an aesthetic and plumbing issue.
To understand your household’s specific water hardness and determine if salt-free scale control fits your needs, you should measure the hardness level directly. The C-Series Salt-Free Scale Control System ships ready to configure based on your household water demand, addressing typical hardness levels measured in this Navajo County aquifer.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2017-10-03. 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 Hardness, Ca, Mg in the N300COPLTS aquifer (Navajo County): 3 results from 3 wells, median 210.0 mg/L, range 105.0-284.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold