Fleck Iron + Hard Water (Well) System

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If your water test report lists iron results, what does it really indicate?

A laboratory report for iron in your household water typically provides a concentration measured in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion. For McLean County, the U.S. Geological Survey sampled 10 wells in aquifer 110QRNR between 2010 and 2018, with iron detected in 42 of 50 samples. The median iron concentration was 147.0 µg/L, ranging from 3.9 to 2260.0 µg/L. No sample in this series exceeded any federal health-based thresholds. These figures reflect area-wide conditions but do not establish the iron level in your own well or tap, which requires specific testing.

If iron and hardness are present, how does the Fleck Iron + Hard Water System address them?

The Fleck Iron + Hard Water System employs a specialized treatment process to reduce iron content and soften water by removing hardness minerals. With a grain capacity of 32,000, it effectively reduces dissolved iron to minimize staining, metallic taste, and sediment buildup, while also preventing scale formation from hardness. The system ships ready to configure, allowing households to manage water quality based on their specific iron and hardness conditions identified through testing.

If iron and hardness go untreated over years, what can happen?

Leaving iron and hardness untreated can gradually cause several issues. Iron can deposit as reddish-brown stains on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishware. It can also lead to sediment accumulation in pipes, affecting water flow and appliance efficiency. Hardness minerals may promote scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, reducing lifespan and increasing energy use. These effects develop over time and do not imply immediate health risks, but they affect water aesthetics, maintenance needs, and utility costs.

If iron and hardness originate underground in McLean County, how do they enter household water?

Iron commonly occurs in groundwater due to natural dissolving from iron-bearing minerals in soil and rock. In McLean County's aquifer 110QRNR, groundwater typically ranges in depth from 12 to 320 feet where samples were taken. Hardness arises primarily from calcium and magnesium ions leached from local geology. These constituents dissolve into water as it moves through the aquifer, ultimately reaching wells and household plumbing systems. The variation in sample iron concentrations reflects differing local geology and well depths.

If deciding treatment capacity, how should you consider your household’s daily water use?

When selecting a treatment system like the Fleck Iron + Hard Water System, consider your household’s water consumption to ensure the grain capacity of 32,000 sufficiently handles iron and hardness removal. Higher daily water demand requires a system capable of regenerating efficiently without degrading treatment effectiveness. Understanding your typical water use patterns, alongside specific iron and hardness levels from your test, helps determine the optimal system size for sustained performance.

If your well is deeper or shallower than sample wells, how might iron levels vary?

The sampled wells in McLean County ranged from 12 to 320 feet deep. Iron concentrations can vary with well depth due to the geochemical environment. Shallow wells may encounter different iron release mechanisms compared to deeper wells, potentially resulting in varying iron levels. Therefore, your well’s depth is an important factor in interpreting area data and assessing your water quality. Testing your own well water remains essential for accurate assessment.

If you compare the measured iron range with federal standards, what should you keep in mind?

Federal thresholds for iron in drinking water exist primarily as secondary standards focusing on aesthetics, such as staining and taste, rather than health-based limits. The highest iron detected in the McLean County aquifer 110QRNR samples was 2260.0 µg/L, well below any health-based violation levels. This means detecting iron within this range does not signify an unsafe condition but indicates a potential for aesthetic issues. Treatment decisions should be based on your specific water test results and household needs.

What should you not conclude about your home water from area aquifer data?

Area-wide sampling provides valuable context but does not define the exact water quality of your private well or municipal tap. Iron levels detected in the McLean County aquifer do not guarantee your water contains similar concentrations. Testing of your own water supply is necessary to confirm iron and hardness concentrations and guide treatment choices. Area data also cannot predict short-term fluctuations or localized contamination. Use this information as a guide, not a definitive assessment of your household water.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-08-01. 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 110QRNR aquifer (McLean County): 50 results from 10 wells, median 147.0 ug/L, range 3.9-2260.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold