Understanding the Sampling Record Terms
'Detected' Explained
In Linn County's aquifer 111ALVM, iron was detected in 165 of 246 water samples taken from 16 wells. This means an instrument measured iron in these samples, not that there is a violation or safety concern.
Meaning of 'Median'
The median iron concentration is 54.8 micrograms per liter (ug/L). This is the middle value of the iron levels measured across all samples, providing a typical concentration found in the area’s wells.
Understanding 'Range'
The iron concentrations ranged from 3.5 to 800.0 ug/L, indicating variability between different wells and sampling times but not implying a direct problem in any individual well.
Sample Size and Its Implications
Number of Samples
The data reflects 246 separate iron measurements collected from 16 wells over more than 16 years, offering a robust picture of the aquifer 111ALVM water quality in Linn County.
Sample Depth
The wells sampled ranged from 18 to 74 feet deep, covering typical residential well depths in the area.
Significance of Sample Size
A large, consistent dataset strengthens confidence in understanding regional water quality trends but does not replace specific testing of your own well water.
Interpreting Concentrations Relative to Federal Standards
Federal Thresholds Not Exceeded
None of the sampled wells showed iron concentrations above any federal threshold for drinking water, indicating that the recorded levels do not establish a health-based exceedance.
Aesthetic Considerations
While iron can affect taste, color, or staining as a secondary concern, the federal standards referenced relate to health safety, not these aesthetic factors.
What the Range Does Not Mean
The presence of iron in an aquifer sample does not indicate your private well has the same level. It is an area-wide observation, not a test of your water.
Distinguishing Public Records from Private Well Tests
Public Sampling Scope
The USGS data covers a regional aquifer area and multiple wells, representing broad water quality trends over time rather than conditions in any one household.
Necessity of Individual Testing
For accurate information about your household's water, testing your own well water is essential since localized variations can occur.
How the Fleck Total Well Chlorination System Addresses Iron
Technology Purpose
The Fleck Total Well Chlorination System removes or neutralizes naturally occurring iron effectively through controlled chlorination processes tailored for total well water treatment.
Capacity and Suitability
This system has a capacity of 32,000 grains, sufficient to treat typical household water demands in Linn County with aquifer 111ALVM characteristics.
Example: Reading the Record for a Homeowner
Hypothetical Median Implication
A homeowner in Linn County might expect iron concentrations around the median 54.8 ug/L in their aquifer, but this does not guarantee this exact level in their own well.
Range Awareness
Some wells in the region showed iron as low as 3.5 ug/L and as high as 800.0 ug/L, illustrating the variability that supports the need for personal water testing before choosing treatment options.
Using This Information
Understanding these numbers helps weigh treatment approaches, especially when considering methods like chlorination that address total well water concerns including iron presence.
Closing Notes
This summary reflects data from government sampling of 16 wells in Linn County's aquifer 111ALVM from 2010 to 2026. For full details, consult the USGS groundwater monitoring location 420013091442000.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2026-06-23. 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 Iron in the 111ALVM aquifer (Linn County): 246 results from 16 wells, median 54.8 ug/L, range 3.5-800.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold
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