Record Key Water Facts From Your Facility
Note water use points covering the entire building
For commercial operations treating whole-building water, document each major outlet type contributing to dishwashing. This includes all kitchens, cafeterias, and cleaning stations.
Identify your building's water source and depth
Note if groundwater is drawn from aquifer 110AVTN or another source. Depths of sampled wells in this area were approximately 2 feet, but your system may differ.
Gather any local water report data you have
Collect municipal or private well reports, noting sampling dates and measurement scopes.
Understand What Local Water Hardness Measurements Indicate
Recent area groundwater hardness levels
U.S. Geological Survey samples in FIPS 180 aquifer 110AVTN found calcium and magnesium hardness median at 162.5 mg/L with a range from 140 to 188 mg/L based on four results from one well sampled between 2010 and 2011.
Relation to federal standards
None of these measurements exceeded federal thresholds, which means the water is within regulatory limits for hardness constituents.
Limits of this data
These figures represent one well in the area and cannot specify your building’s water characteristics without on-site testing.
How Water Softening Changes Dishwashing Water Quality
Reduction of hardness minerals
Applying a commercial water softener alters calcium and magnesium concentrations, mitigating spotting and film formation on dishes.
Impact on building-wide water
Using a high-capacity system designed for the entire building ensures consistent water quality across all dishwashing stations, enhancing spot-free results.
Comparing This Area’s Data With Nearby Locations
Variations in groundwater hardness by county
Adjacent counties may show different hardness ranges or median values; use these comparisons cautiously as local geology varies.
Avoid overinterpreting single-point samples
One well’s readings should not be extended to represent a whole area or building’s water without more extensive data.
Influence of Plumbing Materials and Facilities Age
Material effects
Building plumbing can affect water taste and appearance independently of source water hardness.
System age considerations
Older plumbing may contribute to spotting issues through corrosion or mineral deposits unrelated to groundwater quality.
Final Step: Confirm Your Own Water Profile
Obtain a laboratory hardness test from your water supply
Only a certified lab test of your building’s water can verify calcium and magnesium hardness concentration and confirm whether treatment is necessary.
Use the test results to select appropriate commercial water treatment
After verifying hardness, consider a Nelsen 600,000 Grain Skid-Mounted Commercial Water Softener, which ships ready to configure for whole-building application, to improve dishwashing outcomes and achieve spot-free dishes consistently.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-02-20. 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 Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 110AVTN aquifer (FIPS 180): 4 results from 1 wells, median 162.5 mg/L, range 140.0-188.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold