Belief: The regional water data directly indicates my well’s water quality and exact treatment requirements.
It’s a common mistake to assume that published groundwater sampling results represent your own well’s water quality precisely. In reality, regional data provides context but does not substitute for specific private well testing. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled multiple wells in Bristol County’s 112SRFD aquifer, but your well’s conditions can differ due to location, depth, and local geology.
Belief: Laboratory tests for iron in well water report whether the water is safe or not.
Certified laboratories report measured concentrations of iron, expressed in micrograms per liter (ug/L), for example. These numerical results show the presence and amount of iron but do not declare the water safe or unsafe. Iron is a secondary constituent influencing taste, staining, and color, which are aesthetic issues rather than health risks. Federal health-based limits, which apply to contaminants posing direct health dangers, do not exist for iron in this context.
Belief: Terms like 'detected,' 'median,' and 'range' on water quality reports tell exactly how much iron is in my well.
In the Bristol County aquifer 112SRFD, 14 samples from seven wells collected between 2010 and 2019 showed iron detected in 10 results, with levels ranging from 7.6 to 3910.0 ug/L and a median concentration of 85.4 ug/L. ‘Detected’ means the instrument measured iron; it is not a violation or problem by itself. Median represents the middle value of these samples, while range covers the spectrum of measurements. Importantly, these figures come from multiple wells, not a single source, and do not define your individual water’s iron concentration.
Belief: Public groundwater records are an exact proxy for private well water quality in my household.
Public records like USGS sampling describe regional aquifer conditions, capturing average or typical concentrations over time and location. Private well water quality can vary significantly because of well depth, construction, and localized factors. Therefore, while public data informs potential constituents present and their possible levels, only a private well sample analyzed by a certified lab can confirm your household’s specific water quality.
Belief: Comparing regional iron data across neighboring counties reveals which area has better water quality for well treatment sizing.
Comparative regional data can highlight differences in median and range values but must be interpreted with care. Variations may reflect different geology, land use, or sampling methods rather than consistent water quality differences. Such comparisons do not substitute for testing your specific water supply, which is essential for accurate sizing of any treatment system.
Planning Your Total Well Water Treatment
To size an effective total well water treatment system, order a certified laboratory test of your own well water focusing on iron concentration and other relevant constituents. This test will confirm the precise conditions your system must handle. In Bristol County’s 112SRFD aquifer, regional sampling shows a wide range of iron levels, none exceeding federal health-based thresholds. However, individual well conditions vary, making testing critical to avoid under- or over-sizing treatment equipment.
The Pentair Total Well Chlorination System ships ready to configure and offers a 32,000-grain capacity solution addressing typical iron and microbial concerns in well water. It provides proven technology to treat the range of conditions likely encountered in this area when sized based on accurate, site-specific water data.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-18. 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 Iron in the 112SRFD aquifer (Bristol County): 14 results from 7 wells, median 85.4 ug/L, range 7.6-3910.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold
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