Fleck Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter

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Did your nitrate treatment system stop working and leave you wondering what to do next? In El Paso County, Colorado, nitrate concentrations vary widely in groundwater, so careful attention to local data and testing is key to making an informed decision.

1. What You Should Write Down Before Asking for Treatment Advice

Record Your Well’s Depth

Knowing the depth of your well is crucial. Samples from El Paso County’s aquifer 111VLFL came from wells between 36 and 183 feet deep, reflecting a broad range of nitrate concentrations.

Note Previous Water-Quality Test Results

Document any nitrate measurements you may have from your own water. Without a current test, local data can only offer general guidance.

Detail the Type and Age of Your Existing Treatment Equipment

Since your equipment has failed, specifying its features and lifespan may help identify whether a replacement system that handles nitrate could better suit your household needs.

2. How Sample Depth and Well Characteristics Affect Expectations

Understand That Deeper Wells May Have Different Nitrate Levels

Groundwater nitrate concentrations often differ with well depth. In this area, wells sampled between 36 and 183 feet deep showed nitrate ranging from 1.17 to 52.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Consider the Source Aquifer’s Influence

The 111VLFL aquifer has been sampled extensively, but nitrate levels can vary significantly over short distances and depths, so your well’s particular source may have unique characteristics.

3. What 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' Mean in Area Sampling

Detected Means the Constituent Was Measured, Not That It’s Unsafe

All 298 nitrate samples in the El Paso area showed measurable nitrate, but detection alone does not indicate a violation or unsafe water.

The Median of 8.19 mg/L Shows Typical Levels in the Area

Half of the samples measured nitrate concentrations below 8.19 mg/L, and half above, reflecting typical groundwater conditions in the area.

Range Reflects Variability in Nitrate Concentrations

The lowest nitrate measurement was 1.17 mg/L, while the highest reached 52.3 mg/L, illustrating the broad range of nitrate levels encountered across sampled wells.

4. What Changes for Larger Households, Second Homes, or Seasonal Properties

Higher Water Use Can Influence Treatment Choices

Large households may require treatment systems with greater capacity to manage nitrate effectively across higher daily water demands.

Water Quality May Vary Seasonally in Some Wells

Seasonal properties might experience changes in water nitrate levels due to aquifer recharge cycles, rainfall patterns, or agricultural activity nearby.

Second Homes May Benefit from Ready-to-Configure Nitrate Treatment Systems

Systems that ship ready to configure allow property owners flexibility without requiring specialized setup during infrequent visits.

5. Sample Size and What It Means for Understanding Local Nitrate Levels

Data Reflects 298 Nitrate Results from 17 Wells

This substantial dataset provides a strong regional overview but cannot specify conditions in any one well.

Multiple Wells Capture Geological and Land Use Variations

Testing across 17 different wells helps document how nitrate levels change with environment and depth in the aquifer.

Small Local Samples Are Necessary to Confirm Your Well’s Condition

Because nitrate can vary greatly between wells, only testing your water directly can determine your household’s nitrate concentration and treatment need.

To resolve whether your water’s nitrate level exceeds safe consumption thresholds, order a nitrate test specifically for your household water source. A result above 10.0 mg/L—the federal maximum contaminant level—would confirm the need for effective nitrate reduction equipment. The Fleck Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter is designed to address nitrate concerns for residential wells and ships ready to configure for straightforward deployment. Testing your water remains essential before selecting treatment options.

Where this information comes from

Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-08-21. 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 Nitrate in the 111VLFL aquifer (El Paso County): 298 results from 17 wells, median 8.19 mg/L, range 1.17-52.3 mg/L; 143 above a health-based federal MCL (federal MCL 10.0 mg/L)