Fleck Acidic / Low-pH Water Filter

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Local Aquifer Overview and Water Delivery

Residents of Navajo County typically rely on groundwater drawn from aquifer 220NAVJ, a deep aquifer with wells sampled between 554 and 3737 feet deep. Water from this source is pumped into the household system, traveling through plumbing to taps. The aquifer's water quality varies, as shown by government sampling over nearly a decade.

Stepwise Approach to Understanding Water Acidity

Start with basic observations such as taste and appearance, though these do not directly reveal acidity levels. Next, consider simple field tests for pH, available at many hardware or water testing outlets. For precise understanding, professional laboratory testing of a specific well water sample is necessary to establish the exact pH level for your household.

Long-Term Effects of Acidic Water Exposure

When water has a low pH—meaning it is acidic over time—this can affect household plumbing, potentially increasing corrosion. Corrosion may lead to metal leaching from pipes and fixtures, which might impact the lifespan of plumbing components. It can also contribute to staining or taste changes in water, though these outcomes depend heavily on specific water chemistry and plumbing materials.

Interpreting Government pH Data for Navajo County

The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 14 wells in Navajo County's aquifer 220NAVJ, collecting 82 results between mid-2010 and mid-2019. The recorded pH ranged from 6.4 to 10.0 standard units, with a median of 9.1. Notably, only one result fell below the 6.5 pH level commonly referenced as an aesthetic secondary standard, indicating acidic conditions are uncommon in this dataset. Since this secondary standard relates to taste and plumbing effects—not health—detecting pH below 6.5 is not a violation but a potential indicator of increased acidity.

Seasonal and Multi-Year Variations in pH Levels

The sampling dates span over nine years, revealing that pH can vary over time in this aquifer. Though most measurements are well above the low pH threshold, the one outlier below 6.5 suggests occasional variation can occur, possibly influenced by seasonal recharge, local geology, or water use patterns. This emphasizes the importance of testing your specific well at intervals to monitor changes.

Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Users

Commercial and industrial operations often need stricter control of water pH due to equipment sensitivity or process requirements. They may require more frequent testing or specialized treatment to maintain water quality within tighter ranges, reflecting their operational demands separate from typical residential concerns.

Impact of Plumbing Materials and Age on Acidic Water Effects

The composition and age of household plumbing can influence how acidic water interacts with the system. Older pipes, especially those made from metals susceptible to corrosion, might experience more pronounced effects from low pH water. Conversely, modern plumbing materials may better resist acidic conditions, though they do not eliminate the need to understand water chemistry.

Summary and Next Steps

Government sampling of Navajo County's aquifer 220NAVJ, covering 14 wells and 82 results, shows a general trend of neutral to alkaline pH, with rare instances of acidity below the secondary aesthetic threshold. To determine your home's water acidity, laboratory testing of your specific water source is essential. For households detecting or concerned about low pH water, the Fleck Acidic / Low-pH Water Filter ships ready to configure and offers a documented approach to treating acidity and helping protect plumbing systems over time. Detailed regional data is available from the U.S. Geological Survey at their monitoring location 355023110182701.

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 pH in the 220NAVJ aquifer (Navajo County): 82 results from 14 wells, median 9.1 standard units, range 6.4-10.0 standard units; EPA secondary standard for pH is 6.5-8.5 (aesthetic/corrosivity, not health-based); 1 of 82 sampled results fell below 6.5