Autotrol Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter

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Government groundwater sampling in Plymouth County, focusing on aquifer 112SRFD, recorded 70 nitrate results from 17 wells sampled between 2010 and 2019. The median nitrate level was 1.635 mg/L, with a range from 0.019 to 17.8 mg/L, and five results above the federal health-based maximum contaminant level of 10.0 mg/L. These figures represent area trends, not any individual well's nitrate level.

Additional Questions Commercial and Industrial Users Consider

Nitrate Load vs. Residential Demand

Commercial or industrial users evaluate the total nitrate load in water based on large volumes of usage, unlike residential users who focus on household consumption rates.

Regulatory Reporting Obligations

Operators in commercial settings often must report nitrate monitoring results to regulatory agencies, a concern not generally applicable to private residences.

System-Wide Treatment Capacity

Large-scale operations consider treatment system capacity to handle fluctuating nitrate concentrations across multiple wells or sources, whereas households typically address a single-point source.

Sources and Movement of Nitrate in Plymouth County Groundwater

Agricultural Fertilizer Use

Nitrate often enters the groundwater from agricultural fertilizers applied to fields within the Plymouth County region, per USGS data.

Septic System Leachate

Residential septic systems can contribute nitrate to shallow groundwater, particularly in areas with dense housing development.

Soil and Aquifer Transport Characteristics

Aquifer 112SRFD's geological features influence the depth and spread of nitrate contamination; sampled well depths ranged from 8 to 166 feet.

Considerations for Larger Households, Seasonal, or Second Homes

Increased Daily Water Volume

Larger families consume more water, which may require treatment systems with higher flow rates to maintain effective nitrate reduction.

Intermittent Residence Usage

Seasonal or second home water systems may experience variations in water quality due to periods of stagnation that can affect nitrate behavior or related water chemistry.

Maintenance Scheduling

Less frequent use in seasonal properties calls for different maintenance intervals to ensure nitrate treatment remains effective when water is used.

Distinguishing Health-Based Limits from Aesthetic Secondary Standards

Federal MCL for Nitrate

The federal maximum contaminant level for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L, based on health considerations. Some sampled wells in Plymouth County aquifer 112SRFD exceeded this threshold in the government data.

Aesthetic Impacts vs. Health Risks

While some secondary standards address taste or appearance, nitrate’s primary regulatory focus is on health impacts, which defines treatment priorities.

Importance of Individual Well Testing

Because area sampling shows variability, only testing of your own water can determine if nitrate levels approach or exceed health-based limits requiring treatment.

Household Water Symptoms Related to Nitrate Presence

Symptoms Not Indicative of Nitrate

Nitrate does not cause taste, odor, or staining problems; absence of these symptoms does not confirm low nitrate.

Health Concerns

Elevated nitrate in drinking water is associated with health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women, underscoring the importance of accurate testing and treatment.

Fixtures and Appliances Affected First by Nitrate

Drinking Water Points

Kitchen taps and water used for infant formula preparation are priority fixtures for nitrate treatment.

Water Used for Cooking

Any tap delivering water for food preparation should have effectively treated nitrate levels to minimize exposure.

Non-Affected Appliances

Devices such as water heaters or washing machines are not directly compromised by nitrate concentrations but benefit indirectly from overall water quality improvements.

These observations rely on 70 nitrate samples collected from 17 wells in Plymouth County's aquifer 112SRFD over 2010 to 2019. The complete data are available through the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater monitoring location 420249071035801.

For addressing nitrate concerns confirmed by individual water testing, the Autotrol Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter system ships ready to configure and supports effective nitrate reduction tailored for residential water use.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-05. 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 Nitrate in the 112SRFD aquifer (Plymouth County): 70 results from 17 wells, median 1.635 mg/L, range 0.019-17.8 mg/L; 5 above a health-based federal MCL (federal MCL 10.0 mg/L)