Government groundwater sampling in Washington County, Rhode Island, specifically targeting aquifer 112SRFD, shows chloride detected consistently in sampled wells but always below federal thresholds. This data provides a baseline for households considering total well water treatment options.
Belief: Sample Depth and Well Depth Have Little Effect on Water Quality Expectations
The sampling record includes wells ranging from 72 to 95 feet deep. These depths affect which water-bearing layers contribute to well water composition, so expectations should adjust accordingly. Deeper samples tend to reflect aquifer water composition more than shallow samples, which may be influenced by surface factors. Knowing your well's depth compared to sampled wells helps frame what levels of constituents might typically occur.
Belief: Leaving Total Well Water Untreated Has Immediate or Severe Consequences
The region’s chloride concentrations have not exceeded federal limits in the sampled wells over an eight-year period. While untreated total well water could pose issues over a long time due to gradual buildup of dissolved solids, the data does not indicate urgent or severe risks requiring immediate action. Treatment decisions can consider gradual approaches aligned with water quality monitoring results.
Belief: Neighboring Counties' Water Records Are Directly Comparable to This Area’s Data
Although neighboring counties may have different groundwater characteristics, direct comparisons require caution. Variations in geology, depth of wells sampled, and sampling methods can produce different constituent levels and trends. Using Washington County’s specific aquifer data prevents overreading results from other regions when deciding on treatment classes.
Belief: Treated Water Will Behave Much Differently at the Tap
When processing total well water with technologies such as the Pentair Total Well Chlorination System, treated water quality reflects reductions in contaminants that impact taste and staining but does not radically alter essential water properties. Treated water remains safe for household use and typically shows improvement in aesthetic factors important to users.
Belief: The Small Number of Samples and Wells Limits the Usefulness of the Data
The chloride data is based on four results from two wells sampled over several years. While this sample size is limited, it provides a snapshot of groundwater quality trends in the aquifer. Users should understand this data as representative of the area’s conditions but not definitive for any specific well without direct testing.
Belief: A Homeowner Can Directly Apply the Median and Range From This Record to Their Well
The sampling data shows a chloride median of 38.85 mg/L with a range from 23.7 to 91.1 mg/L. These figures inform expectations of typical concentrations in the area but cannot substitute for actual testing of an individual well. Homeowners should test their well water to determine specific needs before selecting a treatment category or product.
Washington County's chloride measurements in aquifer 112SRFD indicate levels consistently below federal thresholds, reassuring for residents evaluating treatment options. However, these regional results do not confirm conditions in any particular household well. Only direct testing can establish individual water quality. The Pentair Total Well Chlorination System ships ready to configure for households needing to manage total well water quality consistent with their test results and treatment goals.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-17. 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 112SRFD aquifer (Washington County): 4 results from 2 wells, median 38.85 mg/L, range 23.7-91.1 mg/L; none above any federal threshold