Water Source and Local Context
El Paso County relies on groundwater from aquifer 111ALVM, with wells typically ranging from 16 to 215 feet deep. Water drawn from this aquifer moves naturally through underground rock formations before reaching household taps. The quality and characteristics of this water can vary depending on natural mineral content and aquifer geology.
Measured Range and Federal Standards
Iron Concentration Range
Government monitoring found iron levels varying widely within the area, with a median value of 12.45 micrograms per liter and a range from 4.1 to 1680 micrograms per liter in 160 samples from 50 wells. Importantly, none of these results exceeded federal thresholds, indicating the iron levels documented are within regulatory boundaries.
What This Measurement Does Not Indicate
These findings reflect the conditions across the aquifer area but do not specify the iron concentration in any individual household well. Detection of iron at these levels is not a safety violation and does not mean that all wells have the same water quality or that all water will show rust or hardness effects equally.
C-Series System Maintenance Rhythm
Routine Attention Needed
The C-Series Well Rust + Hardness System is designed to address water quality issues related to rust and hardness in residential well water. It ships ready to configure, requiring no additional assembly expertise. Routine maintenance includes periodic media replacement and system flushing to sustain performance, typically based on treating approximately 32,000 grains of hardness before media requires refreshing.
Maintenance Impact on Water Quality
Consistent upkeep helps maintain clear water free of rust staining and scale deposits, preserving plumbing and appliance lifespan. Maintenance intervals depend on household water usage and hardness levels, so monitoring is advised for optimal timing.
Comparing El Paso County with Nearby Counties
Use Caution with Regional Comparisons
Water quality in neighboring counties may differ significantly due to varied geological conditions. Comparing El Paso County’s iron levels to those from other locations should be done carefully to avoid overgeneralizing or assuming similar water characteristics.
Regional Data Limitations
Data sets vary in sample size, well depth, and timeframe; thus, a direct comparison does not guarantee the same water quality or treatment needs. Each aquifer has unique properties affecting iron presence and hardness.
Sample Size and Data Reliability
Number of Wells and Samples
The iron concentration data reflects 160 samples collected from 50 separate wells over several years. This breadth provides a solid overview but may not capture all variability within the aquifer.
What Small Samples Mean for Individual Wells
Water in a single household well can differ from area medians and ranges. Testing individual well water remains essential for accurate assessment and treatment planning.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Measurements
Dates of Sampling
Samples were collected between May 2013 and December 2025, spanning multiple seasons and years.
Observed Variation
Iron levels fluctuated widely across this period, reflecting natural changes in the aquifer and well conditions over time. Seasonal changes can influence mineral concentrations reaching household water.
Implications for Treatment Choice
Variability suggests that treatment systems must be capable of handling a range of iron and hardness levels, not just a fixed concentration.
Summary and Source Information
This overview is based on groundwater sampling data from El Paso County's aquifer 111ALVM, covering numerous wells and years as documented by the U.S. Geological Survey. For detailed data access, please refer directly to their monitoring location records.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-12-18. 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 111ALVM aquifer (El Paso County): 160 results from 50 wells, median 12.45 ug/L, range 4.1-1680.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold