Common Misunderstanding About Well Pump Sediment and Conductance
Many believe that sediment problems at the well pump can be diagnosed solely by local water data, but government area sampling of specific conductance offers only regional context, not a definitive reading of any individual household’s water. Specific conductance measures how well water carries electrical current, indicating dissolved mineral content that can correlate with sediment presence but does not directly measure particulate sediment levels.
Laboratory Testing and Specific Conductance Reporting
Certified labs report specific conductance in microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm), showing dissolved solids in water. For Sharkey County’s aquifer 112MRVA, U.S. Geological Survey data from five wells sampled sixteen times between August 2010 and June 2011 recorded values from 538.0 to 1600.0 uS/cm. The median was 611.5 uS/cm, confirming consistent detection but no sample below reporting thresholds. This measure helps frame dissolved mineral concentration but does not alone quantify sediment particles that cause clogging or wear at well pumps.
Interpreting Area Range and Federal Standards
The area’s specific conductance range is well below any federal maximum contaminant levels, indicating no regulatory safety concern tied to dissolved solids in these samples. However, elevated dissolved solids can contribute to water that is more conductive and may increase the potential for sediment formation or accumulation when particulate matter is present. It is important not to interpret these results as proof of sediment problems but as a potential marker for water chemistry related to sediment behavior.
Sample Size and Geographic Representation
The sixteen samples taken from five wells offer a snapshot rather than a comprehensive survey. Wells ranged in depth from 3 to 127 feet, representing a variety of local groundwater conditions within Sharkey County. While these data provide useful regional insight, the limited number of samples means variation at any single household well could be significant. Homeowners should recognize this regional data as informative but not conclusive for their specific water condition.
Median and Range: Practical Reading for Homeowners
For a residential homeowner, the median specific conductance around 611.5 uS/cm suggests water moderately conductive with dissolved minerals present but within a typical range for the area aquifer. The recorded maximum of 1600 uS/cm shows that higher mineral content can occur, potentially influencing sediment levels, but these extremes are not the norm. Understanding this range allows homeowners to anticipate water conditions that could influence particulate buildup near the well pump without assuming sediment is a guaranteed problem.
Multi-Year Sampling and Seasonal Variation
The data span nearly a year, from August 2010 to June 2011, showing some fluctuation in specific conductance over time. This variation could reflect seasonal changes such as rainfall or aquifer recharge impacting dissolved solids levels. These dynamics suggest that sediment-related water issues may also vary seasonally, reinforcing the need for targeted testing of one’s own well rather than reliance on area averages alone.
Public Records Versus Individual Well Testing
Government groundwater sampling offers valuable baseline information about aquifer conditions but does not replace testing a private well to identify actual sediment presence or concentration. Individual well tests must be conducted by reputable laboratories to assess particulate sediment and other physical parameters directly affecting well pump performance. Public data guide expectations but cannot confirm sediment problems or their severity at a specific residence.
Recommended Testing and Proceeding with Treatment
To resolve concerns about well pump sediment in Sharkey County, the essential step is obtaining certified laboratory analysis of the household well water, focusing on particulate sediment concentration and physical turbidity. A test result confirming sediment presence and severity will guide the choice of treatment system. The Autotrol Sediment From the Well Pump Filter, available for direct purchase, is designed to address sediment detected at the point of water entry. It ships ready to configure for residential use, providing targeted filtration that matches well-tested sediment conditions.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-06-02. 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 Specific conductance in the 112MRVA aquifer (Sharkey County): 16 results from 5 wells, median 611.5 uS/cm, range 538.0-1600.0 uS/cm; none above any federal threshold