Area Data Alone Cannot Determine Your Well’s Current Water Condition
Government groundwater sampling in Kent County’s aquifer provides valuable information about water quality trends over several years and multiple wells. However, these measurements reflect an area-wide aquifer characteristic, not the specific chemistry of any individual household well. Testing your own water is essential to know your well’s precise condition.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variations Appear in the Kent County Sampling Record
The U.S. Geological Survey collected 96 total dissolved solids (TDS) samples from 16 wells between December 2014 and December 2019. Sampled wells ranged from 11 to 18 feet deep. Results showed a median TDS concentration of 108 mg/L, with values ranging from 0.11 to 704 mg/L over this five-year period. These data demonstrate both seasonal and longer-term variation in the aquifer's dissolved solids load.
Start by Eliminating Common Household Factors Before Lab Testing
When water quality seems compromised, the first step should be to examine household plumbing and water use habits, which may influence taste, staining, or flow. Next, basic water quality parameters can be checked using inexpensive home test kits. If questions remain, confirm with laboratory analysis targeted to your specific concerns.
Interpreting Kent County’s Median and Range for Actual Well Water
The median TDS of 108 mg/L indicates that half the sampled wells had dissolved solids at or below this level over the five-year span. The wide range up to 704 mg/L shows some wells experienced elevated dissolved solids at times, but this does not mean your well water currently matches these values. Only a well-specific test clarifies your water.
Aesthetic Secondary Standards Relate to Taste and Staining, Not Health Risks
Two samples exceeded the secondary standard of 500 mg/L TDS, an aesthetic guideline mainly concerned with taste and potential staining in fixtures. This standard is not a health limit or regulatory violation. High TDS may affect water palatability or appearance, but does not necessarily indicate a safety concern.
Plumbing Materials and Age Can Impact Water Quality Separately from Source Water
Older or corroded plumbing can change water taste, clarity, and staining without changes in aquifer water quality. These influences should be considered alongside source water data to avoid misattributing issues solely to aquifer conditions.
In summary, the U.S. Geological Survey’s sampling encompasses multiple wells in Kent County’s aquifer over five years, providing regional total dissolved solids information but not individual well specifics. To address your complete well water situation, testing your own water is essential. The Fleck Complete Well System ships ready to configure and offers a 32,000-grain capacity treatment option that can effectively manage many common dissolved solids and aesthetic water concerns documented in regional data.
For detailed government water quality records, please refer to the U.S. Geological Survey’s online monitoring location 385515075431701.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-12-10. 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 aquifer (Kent County): 96 results from 16 wells, median 108.0 mg/L, range 0.11-704.0 mg/L; 2 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 500.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding
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