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Reading Certified Laboratory Test Reports on Total Dissolved Solids

A certified laboratory test for total dissolved solids (TDS) measures the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances dissolved in water, reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L). These reports provide a numerical concentration indicating the purity level or mineral content of the water sample. They do not indicate safety or health risks but instead describe factors that may affect taste, staining, or the corrosive quality of water.

Interpreting a TDS result depends on understanding the reporting limit and contextual standards. In Licking County, the U.S. Geological Survey sampling identified a secondary aesthetic standard of 500 mg/L for TDS. Values above this threshold may influence water's appearance or taste but are not violations of health regulations.

How Public-System Records Differ from Private Well Testing in What They Establish

Regional public records like those from the U.S. Geological Survey reflect measurements taken from multiple wells within the Licking County aquifer area and represent broad water quality trends rather than individual well conditions. These data sets cannot substitute for direct testing of a household's private well water, which can vary significantly due to localized factors.

While regional TDS data can guide initial decision-making and identify common regional water characteristics, a home's current water quality must be verified by individual laboratory analysis to determine treatment needs accurately.

Working Example: Understanding the Median and Range of TDS in Licking County

The 2012 groundwater sampling in Licking County recorded 27 TDS results from 9 wells, showing a median of 397 mg/L, with a range extending from as low as 0.29 mg/L to as high as 1100 mg/L. This indicates that while most water samples had moderate TDS concentrations below the aesthetic secondary standard, some wells exhibited higher mineral content capable of affecting water taste or causing staining.

This data suggests typical mineral levels are variable across the area, and a household with a complete well whose equipment has failed should consider these ranges when planning replacement water treatment equipment to address potential TDS effects.

Consequences of Leaving Elevated Total Dissolved Solids Untreated Over Time

If elevated TDS remains untreated in a household water supply from a complete well, users may notice persistent taste or odor issues, white scaling on fixtures and appliances, or gradual buildup that affects plumbing performance. Although not a health hazard, these conditions can reduce satisfaction with water quality and increase maintenance on water-using systems.

Long-term exposure to water with high TDS can increase wear on appliances and may necessitate earlier replacement of water-using equipment. Addressing TDS promptly supports household comfort and appliance longevity.

Sample Size and Number of Wells Behind Licking County TDS Figures

The regional TDS data is based on 27 measurements from 9 distinct wells. A sample set of this size provides a useful overview of water quality variability across the aquifer area, but it is limited in defining precise conditions at any single household well.

Smaller sample sizes or fewer wells increase uncertainty about how representative the data is for any given location. Thus, while the region's median and range offer valuable context, they should not be solely relied upon to assume individual well conditions without direct testing.

What Not to Conclude from Regional TDS Data Alone

It is important to remember that these regional TDS figures do not indicate the exact condition of any private well water, including your own. Detected levels above the secondary aesthetic standard do not imply health risks or violations, only a potential impact on water taste or staining. Equipment failure in a complete well requires testing of your home's water to identify specific treatment requirements.

The Autotrol Complete Well System ships ready to configure and is designed to address typical water quality challenges found in Licking County wells, including managing dissolved solids up to its 32,000-grain capacity. Selecting this system should follow analysis of your water’s actual condition, not assumptions based on area data alone.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2012-11-09. 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 Total dissolved solids in the aquifer (Licking County): 27 results from 9 wells, median 397.0 mg/L, range 0.29-1100.0 mg/L; 10 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 500.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding