Government Sampling and Aquifer Data
Number of Samples and Wells Behind Hardness Data
The hardness data for Navajo County comes from 40 groundwater samples collected between 2010 and 2019 from 14 separate wells drawing from aquifer 220NAVJ. These wells range in depth from 554 to 3737 feet. This sample size provides an overview of the aquifer's general hardness profile but does not specify individual well conditions.
Implications of Limited Sample Size
While the 40 results offer valuable regional insights, they represent only a subset of wells in the area. Hardness levels can vary between wells depending on depth, local geology, and water usage. For a precise understanding of your commercial facility's supply, testing your specific water source is essential.
Information to Prepare Before Treatment Consultation
Document Your Water Source
Begin by noting the exact water source for your commercial operation, including whether it is a well or municipal supply and any records of testing available for your location.
Obtain Hardness Testing Results
Secure a recent water hardness test for your specific water supply. This test should measure calcium and magnesium concentrations since they determine hardness.
Record System Characteristics
Note any current water treatment equipment or observed issues related to water quality within your facility, such as scale buildup or equipment efficiency reductions.
Understanding Aesthetic versus Health-Based Standards
Government Sampling Shows No Federal Health Violations
The USGS samples from Navajo County did not record any hardness above federal health-based limits. Hardness is not a health hazard by itself but can affect taste, scaling, and equipment function.
Aesthetic Secondary Standards Explained
Aesthetic thresholds for hardness focus on issues like staining, taste, and pipe scaling rather than safety. Exceeding these levels in other areas does not imply a health risk but may influence treatment needs.
Changes in Water Quality at the Tap After Treatment
Hardness Levels
When treated by commercial water softening technology, such as the Nelsen 210,000 Grain Skid-Mounted Commercial Water Softener, calcium and magnesium concentrations that cause hardness are significantly reduced. This improves water softness at the point of use.
Effect on Equipment and Maintenance
Softer water reduces scale buildup in pipes, boilers, and other equipment, potentially lowering cleaning and maintenance frequency and extending equipment lifespan.
Symptoms Indicative and Not Indicative of Hard Water
Symptoms Suggesting Hard Water
- Scale deposits on fixtures and inside pipes
- Reduced efficiency of water-using equipment
- Soap scum formation and poor lathering
Symptoms Not Attributable to Hard Water
- Discolored or cloudy water without scale
- Unusual odors
- Health-related symptoms unrelated to mineral content
How the Documented Treatment Technology Works
Ion Exchange Process
The Nelsen 210,000 Grain Skid-Mounted Commercial Water Softener uses ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium ions responsible for hardness. It replaces them with sodium or potassium ions, which do not cause scale.
System Capacity and Suitability
With a grain capacity of 210,000, this commercial softener is designed to handle significant hardness loads typical of a commercial operation relying on Navajo County’s 220NAVJ aquifer.
Government-sampled wells in Navajo County’s 220NAVJ aquifer show a wide range of hardness values from 1.23 to 163.0 mg/L with a median of 2.935 mg/L, none exceeding federal safety standards. This range illustrates the variation possible within the aquifer, underscoring the need for a site-specific water test for your commercial supply. For more detailed data, consult the USGS groundwater sampling records for Navajo County's 220NAVJ aquifer.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-08-23. 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 Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 220NAVJ aquifer (Navajo County): 40 results from 14 wells, median 2.935 mg/L, range 1.23-163.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold