Understanding Certified Laboratory Reports for Total Dissolved Solids in Coconino County Wells
Groundwater in Coconino County comes primarily from aquifer 310COCN, a deep source ranging between 600 and 1150 feet below ground. Certified laboratory tests measure total dissolved solids (TDS) in this water, reported in tons per acre-foot. These tests do not describe individual wells but present samples collected from two wells over several years. Test results include a median value of about 137 tons per acre-foot, with all 28 samples detecting TDS and none below the reporting limit. Understanding these values requires recognizing that TDS reports show a range of dissolved minerals affecting taste and certain aesthetic qualities but do not indicate safety or health concerns by themselves.
Balancing Treatment Capacity with Household Water Usage
For households finding their current equipment insufficient, evaluating treatment capacity against daily water demand is crucial. A system with a grain capacity of 32,000 can handle significant volumes of dissolved solids before regeneration is needed. The match between system capacity and household water use determines if the treatment can keep pace with consumption. Larger families or those with higher water use should consider equipment designed to handle increased loading without frequent system resets. This proactive sizing helps maintain water quality consistency throughout the home.
Interpreting the Range of TDS Relative to Federal Aesthetic Standards
The recorded range for TDS in nearby wells extends from less than 1 to 839 tons per acre-foot. Within this span, five samples exceeded a secondary federal aesthetic standard of 500 mg/L. This threshold relates only to taste and staining potential, not to health or regulatory compliance. Exceeding this level is common in some groundwater sources and signals that treatment could improve aesthetic water quality but does not imply water is unsafe. Homeowners should not interpret high TDS readings alone as a reason for health-related concern without further testing.
Clarifying Terms: Detected, Median, and Range in Aquifer Sampling
The term 'detected' means the testing instrument measured TDS above the minimum reporting level in all samples. 'Median' represents the middle value in the set of data, offering a glimpse of typical conditions but not dictating individual well levels. 'Range' describes the span from the lowest to highest values observed, reflecting variability in the aquifer rather than a fixed condition at any single well. These terms help clarify that area data informs expectations but cannot define any individual household's water quality.
Influence of Well Depth and Source Variation on Water Quality Expectations
The tested wells' depths between 600 and 1150 feet imply that water quality parameters like TDS can change with depth and location within the aquifer. Shallower or deeper wells might encounter different mineral concentrations or dissolved solids levels. Household water quality can also vary based on well construction, pump type, and seasonal influences. Therefore, water treatment needs should consider these factors alongside government sampling data to target solutions effectively.
Post-Treatment Water Characteristics with the Fleck Complete Well System
Once equipped with the Fleck Complete Well System, households can expect improved management of total dissolved solids within the system's grain capacity. The technology is designed to reduce the impact of mineral content on household water, enhancing aesthetic qualities such as taste and reducing staining potential. While treatment does not alter the fundamental source water, it delivers water better suited to daily use demands, sustaining supply reliability for expanding households.
This information is based on U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling from Coconino County's aquifer 310COCN between 2017 and 2025, covering two wells sampled 28 times. More details are available from the government database at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-05-16. 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 Total dissolved solids in the 310COCN aquifer (Coconino County): 28 results from 2 wells, median 137.07 tons/ac ft, range 0.37-839.0 tons/ac ft; 5 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 500.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding
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