Fleck Spotty Dishes & Glassware System

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What a Laboratory Test Report for Calcium and Magnesium Lists

When you obtain a laboratory report on your water's minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, it details their concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L). These minerals are often measured together as water hardness. In Gwinnett County, sampling from the 320CRSL aquifer shows calcium and magnesium combined at a median value of 96.3 mg/L, with samples ranging from 62.1 to 118.0 mg/L. This data comes from 13 samples collected between 2010 and 2013 from wells 280 to 600 feet deep. These figures indicate mineral presence but do not describe your home's specific water quality, which requires individual testing.

How Calcium and Magnesium Reach Groundwater in Gwinnett County

Calcium and magnesium enter the groundwater naturally as water moves through the aquifer's geological formations. The 320CRSL aquifer beneath Gwinnett County contains minerals in rocks and soil that dissolve into the water. This mineral content varies based on depth and local geology, explaining the range detected in samples from different wells. The minerals themselves are common constituents in many groundwater sources and contribute to water's characteristic hardness.

Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits for These Minerals

The concentrations of calcium and magnesium found in Gwinnett County's aquifer are well within federal health-based limits. These minerals do not pose a health risk at the measured levels. Instead, aesthetic secondary standards exist to address issues like taste, staining, and residue that these minerals may cause. For example, elevated hardness can lead to spotting or film on dishes and glassware, affecting appearance rather than safety. Understanding this distinction helps clarify what your water testing report implies.

What Happens When Hardness-Based Spotting Is Left Untreated Over Time

Hardness minerals in water can gradually deposit on dishware, leaving visible spots and a filmy buildup. Over months or years, this residue can dull glass surfaces and reduce the sparkling clarity that spot-free dishes have. While this condition does not affect health or safety, it impacts the visual quality of your washed dishes. Existing equipment that manages hardness might still struggle to fully prevent spotting when mineral levels approach the upper range seen in the aquifer samples.

Symptoms That Indicate Hardness May Affect Your Household Dishes

If your current water treatment system struggles to keep dishes spot-free, your water’s calcium and magnesium content could be a contributing factor. Typical signs include persistent water spots and cloudy residue after washing, despite using standard detergents and rinse aids. However, these symptoms alone cannot confirm the mineral concentration in your water. Only a certified laboratory test tailored to your specific water supply can provide conclusive measurements for your household’s situation.

Reading the Median and Range of Water Hardness in Gwinnett County as a Homeowner

The median hardness of 96.3 mg/L reported for the 320CRSL aquifer suggests moderate hardness typical for the region. The samples ranging from 62.1 to 118.0 mg/L reflect natural variation across well depths and locations. This range means some residents may experience softer water closer to the lower end, while others encounter higher mineral levels nearer the upper end. Recognizing this range helps you understand why your current equipment may not fully prevent spotting when hardness is at the higher measured values.

Summary

Government sampling in Gwinnett County shows calcium and magnesium in groundwater at levels that can contribute to spotting on dishes but remain within safe standards. Your specific water hardness requires a laboratory test for accurate assessment. For households where existing equipment cannot maintain spot-free dishes consistently, the Fleck Spotty Dishes & Glassware System ships ready to configure and offers a documented approach to managing these minerals effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2013-06-18. 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 320CRSL aquifer (Gwinnett County): 13 results from 9 wells, median 96.3 mg/L, range 62.1-118.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold