Fleck Metallic-Tasting Water Filter

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Local Groundwater and How Copper Enters Your Water

In Portage County, Wisconsin, many households draw water from wells that tap into the 100SDGV aquifer. This groundwater source is replenished naturally through precipitation and surface water infiltration, passing through soil and rock layers before reaching the water table. Along this journey, various minerals, including copper, can dissolve into the water.

The U.S. Geological Survey sampled wells within the 100SDGV aquifer, measuring copper levels in 42 samples collected from 27 wells between August 2011 and August 2024. These wells ranged in depth from 12 to 140 feet. Copper was detected in 30 results, with a median concentration of 7.35 micrograms per liter and a highest measurement of 755.0 micrograms per liter. None of these measurements exceeded federal thresholds for copper in drinking water.

The presence of copper in groundwater is often natural, arising from the mineral composition of aquifer materials. However, copper may also enter water through corrosion of household plumbing containing copper pipes or fittings, which can release copper ions into tap water, sometimes contributing to a metallic taste.

Evaluating Treatment Capacity Based on Household Water Use

When considering equipment to address metallic taste, it is important to match treatment capacity to household water demand. Daily water usage varies depending on the number of residents, appliances, and lifestyle factors.

Effectively reducing copper and the associated metallic taste requires a filter system capable of processing the volume of water your household typically uses. Under-sizing treatment equipment can lead to ineffective taste improvement and more frequent maintenance. Over-sizing may result in unnecessary expense without added benefit.

The Fleck Metallic-Tasting Water Filter ships ready to configure, enabling households to select treatment capacity aligned with their daily water consumption, helping to ensure consistent taste improvement while accommodating varying usage levels.

Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Water Users

Commercial and industrial operators face more complex challenges when managing copper in water. They often require treatment that supports larger volumes, consistent flow rates, and compliance with specific process water standards. Their water use patterns may be more variable or continuous throughout the day.

Such operations may also need to evaluate the impact of copper on equipment longevity and product quality. Treatment solutions suitable for residential use may require modification or scaling to meet these requirements.

Understanding the Difference Between Public Aquifer Data and Private Well Testing

Publicly available sampling data from USGS wells in Portage County provide valuable insight into the general water quality of the 100SDGV aquifer. However, these measurements represent area-wide conditions and not the exact profile of any individual private well.

Private well owners should conduct specific water tests on their own supply to determine copper concentration and other relevant parameters. Such testing is essential because copper levels can vary due to well depth, local geology, plumbing materials, and water chemistry inside the home.

Using area data alone to infer the exact condition of your household water can lead to misjudgments about the need for treatment or the best technology to use.

Potential Impact of Untreated Metallic Taste Over Time

If metallic taste caused by copper persists without treatment, it can affect water enjoyment and possibly limit water use for drinking and cooking. While copper at levels found in Portage County aquifer samples does not exceed health-based thresholds, ongoing exposure to higher copper concentrations from plumbing corrosion might have implications for taste and staining.

Long-term neglect of metallic taste issues may also contribute to consumer frustration and reliance on bottled water or alternative sources.

What Area Data Does Not Tell You About Your Water

It is important not to assume that copper concentrations detected in area aquifer samples reflect the exact condition of your household water. Detection in nearby wells is not a violation, and no result in the Portage County sampling exceeded federal copper limits.

Testing your own water supply is necessary to establish whether copper or other substances contribute to metallic taste in your tap water. Only with that information can you confidently choose a treatment system sized and designed for your needs.

The Fleck Metallic-Tasting Water Filter offers an adaptable solution for households seeking to minimize metallic taste linked to copper, contingent on individual water testing and appropriate capacity selection.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-08-20. 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 Copper in the 100SDGV aquifer (Portage County): 42 results from 27 wells, median 7.35 ug/L, range 0.64-755.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold