Bernalillo County’s water supply commonly comes from groundwater drawn from aquifer 112SNTFU. This aquifer feeds local wells that provide water to many households. Water drawn from such underground sources travels through a network of pipes and fixtures into homes. Understanding the characteristics of this water is essential, especially when concerns about corrosivity arise.

If You Have a Certified Laboratory Test for Chloride Levels

Lab results measuring chloride tell part of the story about corrosivity. Chloride is a naturally occurring constituent found in groundwater. The U.S. Geological Survey collected 381 chloride samples from 16 wells in Bernalillo County between May 2013 and October 2024. These wells ranged from 100 to 1630 feet deep.

A report from a certified laboratory will give a chloride concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Understanding this number means comparing it to regional data and accepted standards. Note that the regional sampling found chloride concentrations ranging from 8.06 to 147.0 mg/L, with a median of 33.0 mg/L. None of these results exceeded any federal limit for chloride. This means the concentrations found do not indicate a health-based problem but may influence water’s taste or corrosion potential.

If You Consider How Chloride Levels Change Over Time

The regional record spans over a decade, showing chloride levels fluctuate seasonally and from year to year. Sampling dates range from spring 2013 through fall 2024, covering multiple seasons and hydrologic conditions. These variations occur naturally due to factors like rainfall, groundwater flow, and aquifer recharge.

Because of this variability, a single water test represents a snapshot rather than a fixed condition. To understand your home's water status more precisely, periodic testing over time is recommended.

If Your Well or Water Source Has a Specific Depth or Type

Wells in this area vary widely in depth—from 100 feet to over 1600 feet. The sampled chloride concentrations reflect this range. Generally, deeper wells can access older water, which may have different chemistry compared to shallower wells. Thus, knowing your well depth can help interpret how your water might compare to area samples.

If You Are Reading About Terms Like ‘Detected,’ ‘Median,’ and ‘Range’ in Water Sampling

• Detected: Chloride was measured in every one of the 381 samples taken; none were below the detection threshold of the instruments used.
• Median: The middle value of chloride concentrations was 33.0 mg/L, meaning half the samples were above and half below this number.
• Range: The lowest concentration found was 8.06 mg/L and the highest was 147.0 mg/L across all samples.

These statistics provide context about how chloride commonly varies in Bernalillo County’s groundwater but do not define any individual water source’s corrosivity level.

If You Notice Effects on Certain Fixtures, Appliances, or Processes

Corrosive water can first affect plumbing pipes, faucets, water heaters, and water-using appliances by accelerating metal wear or causing staining. High chloride levels can contribute to increased corrosivity, damaging these components over time. Addressing corrosive water early protects household infrastructure and maintains water quality.

If You Wonder Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ From Health-Based Limits

Federal and state agencies set aesthetic secondary standards to guide taste, color, staining, and corrosivity effects rather than direct health impacts. Chloride’s limits in these standards help gauge if water affects plumbing or causes unpleasant taste or odor.

It is important to distinguish these secondary standards from enforceable health-based limits. The chloride levels found in Bernalillo County aquifer samples remain within acceptable secondary ranges and pose no known health hazard.

In summary, the USGS sampling data offers a broad picture of chloride presence in Bernalillo County’s groundwater. Individual household water conditions require certified laboratory testing for precise assessment. When corrosive water is confirmed or suspected, the C-Series Corrosive Water Damaging Pipes Filter ships ready to configure as a solution to reduce corrosivity and protect home plumbing.

For detailed data on the sampling and its scope, visit the USGS water data site monitoring Bernalillo County aquifer 112SNTFU.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-10-17. 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 Chloride in the 112SNTFU aquifer (Bernalillo County): 381 results from 16 wells, median 33.0 mg/L, range 8.06-147.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold