This week, a decision awaits your household: how to address total well water issues after your existing water treatment equipment has ceased functioning.
Consequences of Leaving Total Well Water Untreated Over Time
Aesthetic and operational impacts may emerge gradually
Without treatment, aesthetic changes in your water such as taste and staining could occur, given the local aquifer’s constituent profile. These effects do not signal a health threat but can affect water enjoyment and household fixtures.
Potential for equipment damage or inefficiency
Over years, untreated well water can accelerate wear or buildup within home plumbing systems, depending on water composition and usage.
Interpreting 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Government Sampling
'Detected' means measurement, not a problem
In Rockingham County’s bedrock aquifer, chloride was detected in all sampled wells. Detection simply indicates that instruments measured chloride; it does not imply any safety or violation concern.
The median value provides a central tendency reference
The reported chloride median concentration from sampled wells in this area is 27.1 mg/L, representing the middle value among results but not a guarantee for any individual well.
The range shows variability across sampled wells
Values ranged from 14.1 mg/L to 559.0 mg/L, reflecting natural variation in the aquifer’s water composition among different locations and depths.
Sample Size and Well Coverage Behind These Data
Data based on 96 samples from 6 different wells
Samples were taken between 2011 and 2019 at depths from 150 to 500 feet, representing selected points in the bedrock aquifer across Rockingham County.
Small sample sets may limit representativeness
Because these figures come from a limited number of wells, they provide regional trends but cannot define water quality for an individual household’s well.
Understanding Certified Laboratory Test Reports for Chloride
Tests quantify chloride concentration precisely for your water
A certified lab report will state chloride concentration in mg/L from your specific sample, which is necessary to evaluate your household’s conditions accurately.
Comparison to regional data aids understanding but is not diagnostic
While local median and range data give context, only your own testing can confirm what treatment may be required.
A Homeowner’s Example: Reading Regional Median and Range
Median chloride concentration is 27.1 mg/L
This suggests typical background levels for bedrock aquifer wells, but your well may be above or below this figure.
Range spans from a low of 14.1 to a high of 559.0 mg/L
Most regional measurements are well below the secondary aesthetic threshold of 250 mg/L; only 1 result exceeded that. This provides a benchmark for evaluating your test results.
To resolve questions about your home's total well water quality, the single most informative step is to order a certified laboratory test for chloride concentration using a sample from your own well. If your test falls within typical regional levels, the documented treatment option available is the Autotrol Total Well Chlorination System, which ships ready to configure and features a grain capacity of 32,000, designed for residential needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-08-21. 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 Chloride in the BEDROCK aquifer (Rockingham County): 96 results from 6 wells, median 27.1 mg/L, range 14.1-559.0 mg/L; 1 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 250.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding
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