Interpreting Hardness Levels and Federal Standards
Range of Calcium and Magnesium Levels Found
Government sampling between 2010 and 2019 tested hardness values in Navajo County aquifer 220NAVJ wells, with results ranging broadly from 1.23 to 163.0 mg/L.
Median Hardness and Its Meaning
The median value was 2.935 mg/L, reflecting the middle point among the 40 tested samples from 14 wells. This suggests typical hardness varies widely in the area.
No Federal Limits Exceeded
None of these results exceeded any federal health-based thresholds. This means detected hardness is not a safety violation but may influence scale formation.
The Influence of Plumbing Materials and Age
Scale Formation Is Also Affected by Plumbing Characteristics
Older pipes and water heaters with certain materials can accelerate scale buildup, regardless of source water hardness.
Local Water Chemistry Interacts with Plumbing
Mineral content in source water may react differently based on pipe metal or coating, influencing scale type and adhesion.
Understanding Detection Terminology in the Sampling Record
Detected vs. Below Reporting Limit
All 40 samples showed detectable hardness concentrations; no samples were below the reporting limit, indicating reliable measurement of hardness presence.
Median and Range Definitions
Median splits the data in half, while the range indicates variability from minimum to maximum values measured across samples.
Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Operators
Scale Impact on Larger Systems
Commercial operations may need to evaluate scale effects on system efficiency and maintenance due to higher volumes and different equipment.
Industry-Specific Water Quality Questions
Operators often assess parameters beyond hardness, such as flow rate, scale hardness, and equipment material compatibility, which differ from household concerns.
Effect of Sampling Depth and Source Type on Expectations
Deep Wells Sampled
The wells sampled ranged from 554 to 3737 feet deep, suggesting data reflect deep groundwater conditions rather than shallow surface water.
Variability Linked to Source Depth
Hardness concentrations can vary with well depth due to geological factors influencing mineral dissolution and water contact time.
Private Well Versus Public Supply Differences
These figures represent aquifer-wide conditions and do not predict specific household well hardness, which requires individual testing.
Summary and Further Information
This record represents 40 hardness measurements from 14 wells in Navajo County aquifer 220NAVJ collected over nearly a decade. For detailed data, visit the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring site.
To address water heater scale linked to these hardness levels, the Fleck Scale in the Water Heater System ships ready to configure, effectively mitigating mineral buildup in residential water heaters.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-08-23. 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 220NAVJ aquifer (Navajo County): 40 results from 14 wells, median 2.935 mg/L, range 1.23-163.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold
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