What happens when this problem is left untreated for years?
When complete well water treatment equipment fails and remains unaddressed, issues related to high total dissolved solids (TDS) may persist or worsen. In San Juan County, monitoring of the N300COPLTS aquifer shows a wide range of TDS levels, with many measurements exceeding the 500 mg/L secondary standard for taste and staining. Over time, untreated elevated TDS can lead to noticeable changes in water taste, staining of plumbing fixtures, and potential corrosivity that affects pipes and appliances, although these effects are aesthetic and not health risks.
How does seasonal or multi-year variation show in the record?
The data for San Juan County’s aquifer N300COPLTS spans from November 2012 through September 2025, covering 120 samples from 13 wells between 32 and 52 feet deep. Median TDS concentrations were 2650 mg/L, with a range from as low as 3.03 mg/L to as high as 29,000 mg/L. This range indicates notable variation in water quality across locations and likely fluctuates over time due to factors such as groundwater recharge, seasonal changes, and varying well depths. Notably, 77 results were above the secondary aesthetic standard of 500 mg/L, confirming that elevated TDS is common but not necessarily constant throughout the year.
What is the maintenance rhythm for the Fleck Complete Well System?
The Fleck Complete Well System ships ready to configure and features a grain capacity of 32,000 grains, designed to manage high TDS levels commonly found in San Juan County’s aquifer. Its maintenance mainly consists of periodic regeneration cycles to restore treatment capacity, which depend on water usage and TDS concentration. Typical households should expect to monitor system performance and replenish treatment media as recommended by the product guidelines, ensuring ongoing effective removal of dissolved solids without frequent manual intervention.
What is the order in which to rule things out, from cheapest check to laboratory test?
First, verify that household plumbing fixtures and faucets are clean and free from deposits that might mimic well water issues. Next, observe any changes in water taste or staining over time to gauge persistence. If symptoms continue, consider simple water quality test kits for preliminary TDS readings at home. Finally, to obtain precise water quality information, send a sample to a certified laboratory for comprehensive analysis focusing on total dissolved solids and related factors.
What does a certified laboratory test for total dissolved solids report and how should it be read?
A certified lab test for total dissolved solids will report the concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L). This quantitative result indicates how many dissolved minerals and solids are present in the water. In San Juan County, values above 500 mg/L are common but reflect aesthetic concerns such as taste and staining rather than health risks. Understanding your own test result helps determine if a treatment system like the Fleck Complete Well System is suitable to address those levels effectively.
What is the role of plumbing material and age, separate from the source water?
Plumbing materials and their condition can influence water quality independently of the well source. Older pipes may contribute to discoloration or deposits unrelated to total dissolved solids. Corrosion or buildup inside plumbing can affect taste and appearance, which may be mistaken for source water quality issues. Differentiating between plumbing effects and aquifer-derived dissolved solids is important when diagnosing water problems following treatment equipment failure.
In summary, managing complete well water treatment in San Juan County requires understanding the local variation of total dissolved solids documented by government sampling and identifying actual conditions in your water through testing. The Fleck Complete Well System provides a documented solution sized for common TDS levels found in the area, supporting restoration of water quality after equipment failure.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-09-18. 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 N300COPLTS aquifer (San Juan County): 120 results from 13 wells, median 2650.0 mg/L, range 3.03-29000.0 mg/L; 77 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 500.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding
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