A Worked Example: Interpreting Median and Range of Chloride Levels for Your Household
When considering total well water treatment in Tehama County’s aquifer S100CNRLVL, it is common to misunderstand what local data implies. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 10 wells in this area between 2010 and 2024, finding chloride concentrations ranging from 1.53 to 33.9 mg/L, with a median of 6.31 mg/L. These figures are not measurements of your home's water but provide a regional snapshot from wells 119 to 510 feet deep.
For a homeowner sizing treatment equipment, the median chloride level indicates what is typical in the area, while the range shows variability among sampled wells. Knowing this helps avoid oversizing or undersizing treatment. However, only a specific test of your well’s water can reveal your exact chloride concentration.
How the C-Series Total Well Chlorination System Removes or Neutralizes Chloride Impact
While chloride itself is not removed by chlorination, high total dissolved solids (TDS) including chloride can affect taste and system longevity. The C-Series Total Well Chlorination System is designed to address microbes and oxidizable contaminants in total well water, supplementing water quality management that may target secondary aesthetic effects caused by chloride and related minerals indirectly. This system ships ready to configure for household needs and has a grain capacity of 32,000, suitable for varying water volumes.
Understanding 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' in Government Sampling Records
'Detected' means instruments measured chloride in 23 of 25 samples, with two below reporting limits. Detection is not a safety violation. The median reflects the midpoint value of all samples, showing what is typical in the region. The range points to the lowest and highest measurements found within sampled wells. Importantly, none of these readings exceeded any federal safety threshold, confirming no regulatory exceedances in the area data.
Sizing Considerations for Large Households, Second Homes, or Seasonal Properties
Household size and water usage patterns affect treatment sizing. Larger homes or multiple occupants consume more water, demanding a higher grain capacity and flow rate from total well chlorination systems. Seasonal use or second homes, with intermittent water demand, might require different operational setups to avoid stagnation or bacterial regrowth. Understanding local chloride levels alongside these usage patterns ensures treatment equipment matches actual needs without overcapacity.
How Depth of Sampled Wells Affects What to Expect for Your Well Water
The government data covers wells from 119 to 510 feet deep. Deeper wells may have differing water compositions compared to shallow wells due to geological layering. If your well depth is outside this range, expect potential variation in chloride and other dissolved solids. Therefore, relying solely on regional median or range from this depth span has limits. Testing your well water directly is essential to confirm parameters for proper treatment sizing.
In summary, the chloride data from U.S. Geological Survey sampling in Tehama County’s aquifer S100CNRLVL comes from a defined area scope and well depth range, providing a regional overview without specific individual well results. This source is available at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/400900122130001/. Understanding these nuances helps you size total well water treatment accurately for your household needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-03-07. 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 S100CNRLVL aquifer (Tehama County): 25 results from 10 wells, median 6.31 mg/L, range 1.53-33.9 mg/L; none above any federal threshold