Understanding What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Indicate in Lake County pH Sampling
The U.S. Geological Survey collected 130 pH results from 51 wells in Lake County’s aquifer 110DUNED between 2014 and 2023. 'Detected' means pH was measured in every test, with none falling below laboratory reporting limits. The 'median' pH of 7.0 standard units represents the middle value of all samples, showing typical neutral water. The 'range' of 6.4 to 8.6 standard units reveals variation, including some slightly acidic and some slightly alkaline results, among sampled wells 5 to 40 feet deep.
Household Signs That May Indicate Acidic Water—and What To Watch For Instead
Acidic water typically has a pH below the EPA’s secondary standard lower bound of 6.5. While this standard addresses aesthetics and corrosion but not health, households might notice metallic tastes, etched plumbing surfaces, or premature wear on fixtures. However, such symptoms can also arise from other issues like plumbing materials or water source changes, so they do not definitively confirm acidic water without testing.
What a Certified Lab’s pH Test Reports and How To Read the Results
Professional water testing provides an exact pH figure for your well or tap water. This number is measured on a scale where values below 7 indicate acidity, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline. A certified lab report will specify the pH value and may include notes on water corrosivity based on that value. Having a reliable lab test is essential to determine if your specific water deviates from local regional norms.
Influence of Sampling Depth, Well Depth, and Water Source on Expected pH Levels
The pH variability seen in the Lake County sampling—from 6.4 to 8.6—reflects differences in well depths and local aquifer conditions. Shallow wells might show different pH than deeper ones due to soil contact and chemical interactions. Water from springs, creeks, or municipal supplies may also differ from groundwater. Knowing your well’s depth and source can help gauge how your water’s pH compares to regional data.
How pH Expectations Shift for Large Households, Seasonal Homes, or Multiple Properties
For homes with higher water use or seasonal occupancy, water chemistry can fluctuate with periods of low flow or stagnation. pH may shift slightly over time or with changes in water demand. Testing at different times and conditions provides a fuller picture. Seasonal properties might also experience changes if the well is inactive for months before use resumes.
Interpreting the Observed pH Range Versus EPA’s Secondary Standard—and What This Does Not Imply
The EPA secondary standard for pH in drinking water advises a range of 6.5 to 8.5 for aesthetic reasons, including taste and potential corrosion, but it is not a health-based limit. In Lake County’s aquifer 110DUNED, only 3 out of 130 samples fell below 6.5, indicating acidic water is uncommon but present in some locations. This data does not mean water with a slightly low pH is unsafe, only that it may require attention if you notice plumbing effects or taste changes.
If acidic water is confirmed by testing, treatment such as the C-Series Acidic / Low-pH Water Filter can address the pH issue effectively by adjusting water chemistry to more neutral levels. This system ships ready to configure with existing plumbing setups.
In summary, the U.S. Geological Survey’s record of 130 pH measurements from wells 5 to 40 feet deep in Lake County’s aquifer 110DUNED shows a typical neutral pH with occasional slight acidity. This regional data provides context but cannot substitute for specific testing of your household water supply. For more details, review the government source at the U.S. Geological Survey website covering this monitoring location.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2023-09-15. 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 pH in the 110DUNED aquifer (Lake County): 130 results from 51 wells, median 7.0 standard units, range 6.4-8.6 standard units; EPA secondary standard for pH is 6.5-8.5 (aesthetic/corrosivity, not health-based); 3 of 130 sampled results fell below 6.5