Water from Lancaster County's Aquifer N100GLCIAL Reaching Your Home
Water supplied to households in Lancaster County often originates from the local groundwater aquifer identified as N100GLCIAL. This aquifer, accessed via wells ranging broadly from 15 to 320 feet deep, feeds water into private wells and distribution systems that bring water to taps in residential properties.
What Changes for Larger or Seasonal Properties
In larger households, second homes, or seasonal residences within Lancaster County, water usage patterns may vary significantly from average usage. Increased demand can alter pressures and flow rates, potentially impacting water clarity and delivery consistency. Seasonal properties that draw water intermittently may also experience water quality shifts due to aquifer recharge cycles affecting groundwater composition over time.
How Constituents Enter Groundwater in This Region
Sampling conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in Lancaster County’s N100GLCIAL aquifer reveals the presence of chloride, a naturally occurring constituent measured across numerous wells. Chloride in groundwater can originate from various sources including natural mineral dissolution in soil and rock formations. The sampling from 21 wells between mid-2010 and late 2011 showed chloride concentrations detected consistently, with a median value of 14.0 mg/L and a broad range from 1.0 up to 614.0 mg/L.
It is important to note that the chloride levels measured are wholly aesthetic in nature—affecting taste and potential staining but not indicating any health risk. Only four samples exceeded the secondary standard of 250 mg/L for chloride, which is recognized as a threshold for taste and staining effects, not a regulatory or safety limit.
Symptoms Pointing to Total Well Water Issues and What They Do Not Indicate
Households noticing unusual taste, minor staining on fixtures, or subtle corrosion issues may be encountering effects related to the chloride presence in their groundwater. However, these symptoms alone do not confirm the exact cause nor suggest a health concern. Symptoms such as cloudy or discolored water, strong odors, or visible particulates should prompt considering other water quality factors beyond total well issues associated with chloride.
Differentiating Total Well Water Issues from Similar Household Water Problems
The total well water concerns linked with chloride differ from problems often confused with it, such as hardness or iron-related issues. Unlike hardness, chloride does not cause scale buildup, and unlike iron, it does not typically induce rust-colored staining. Recognizing this distinction helps in selecting appropriate treatment technology to address the specific water characteristics of Lancaster County homes.
What Treated Water Feels Like with the Autotrol Total Well Chlorination System
Implementing the Autotrol Total Well Chlorination System, which ships ready to configure, introduces advanced treatment that targets the total well water profile effectively. This system’s capacity of 32,000 grains facilitates robust management of factors contributing to taste and minor staining, allowing water to meet household aesthetic preferences more consistently. After treatment, water clarity, taste, and surface appearance of fixtures generally improve, providing a more pleasant user experience.
Recommended Testing to Clarify Your Water Conditions
To determine the precise cause of your household’s water concerns, the essential step is to conduct a comprehensive water test of your own well or tap water. Testing should include chloride concentration measurement as well as other relevant parameters to establish a water profile. The results will clarify whether chloride-related aesthetic issues or other factors are influencing your water quality and guide effective treatment decisions.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-10-12. 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 Chloride in the N100GLCIAL aquifer (Lancaster County): 79 results from 21 wells, median 14.0 mg/L, range 1.0-614.0 mg/L; 4 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 250.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding