Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter

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1. What the Measured Range Means Against Federal Standards, and What It Does Not Mean

Iron concentrations in El Paso County aquifer 111ALVM wells have never exceeded federal health thresholds

Government groundwater sampling from 50 wells between May 2013 and December 2025 showed iron levels ranging from 4.1 to 1680.0 micrograms per liter. None of these results surpassed any federal safety limits. This means that while iron is present at varying amounts, the measurements do not signify a health violation or unsafe water.

Detection of iron does not equal a water quality violation

Iron was detected in 70 out of 160 samples; in 90 samples it was below reporting limits. Detection simply means an instrument found iron, not that the water is harmful or fails standards.

2. Additional Questions Commercial or Industrial Operators May Have

Commercial and industrial operators often assess iron’s impact on equipment and processes beyond household concerns

Unlike households, these operators may consider iron’s effect on machinery, cooling systems, or product quality. They often need detailed data on iron particle size or seasonality that households do not require.

Depth and well conditions may influence operational decisions more strongly in commercial settings

El Paso County wells ranged from 16 to 215 feet deep during sampling; industrial concerns might factor such depth differences to anticipate iron fluctuations or scaling potential.

3. Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation Visible in the Sampling Record

Sampling covered over 12 years, capturing seasonal and long-term variability in iron levels

Samples were collected from May 2013 through December 2025, showing iron can vary significantly with time and well conditions. This means household levels might fluctuate, so retesting water occasionally is prudent.

Iron ranges from very low to moderately high within this timeframe

The wide range—from about 4 to 1680 micrograms per liter—indicates that iron presence can rise or fall substantially, though still within federal safety limits.

4. Understanding ‘Detected,’ ‘Median,’ and ‘Range’ in These Measurements

‘Detected’ means iron was measurable above the reporting limit but not necessarily problematic

Iron was found in 70 of 160 samples, indicating it is common but variable in concentration.

Median iron concentration of 12.45 micrograms per liter represents the midpoint of detected levels

This median provides a central tendency estimate but individual well samples may be much higher or lower.

‘Range’ reflects the full spread of iron concentrations observed across samples

From 4.1 to 1680.0 micrograms per liter, the range shows how localized conditions influence iron presence.

5. Household Symptoms That Do and Do Not Point To Iron and Rust Problems

Iron presence often causes staining or discoloration on fixtures and laundry

Rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, or clothes typically suggest iron or rust issues in home water.

Iron can also affect taste or odor, but these are less definitive symptoms

Some may notice a metallic taste, but taste perception varies and is not a reliable indicator alone.

Symptoms like cloudiness or slimy textures can have other causes and aren’t definitive for iron

Cloudy water or slimy buildup on fixtures might stem from other minerals, biofilms, or hard water factors.

6. What a Certified Laboratory Test for Iron Reports and How to Read It

Laboratory testing quantifies iron concentration precisely in micrograms per liter or parts per billion

A certified test report lists numeric iron values alongside method detection limits and sample details, crucial for understanding your water’s profile.

Test reports confirm if iron is present above detection thresholds but do not alone dictate treatment needs

Interpreting results requires considering local data, household experience, and treatment options rather than focusing on detection alone.

To address iron and rust problems, the Fleck Orange Iron & Rust Stains Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce these issues efficiently in households.

This summary is based on U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling in El Paso County aquifer 111ALVM wells from May 2013 to December 2025. Visit the government source for details: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/385827104525201/

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2025-12-18. 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 Iron in the 111ALVM aquifer (El Paso County): 160 results from 50 wells, median 12.45 ug/L, range 4.1-1680.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold