Myth: You Can Identify Your Well Water Issues Without Laboratory Testing
Many homeowners believe that basic observations or inexpensive test kits reveal what is wrong with their total well water. The truth is that only certified laboratory testing of your own water sample can quantify specific constituents and confirm which treatment is needed. Government sampling of local wells in Whatcom County provides area-wide data but does not substitute for private well testing.
Myth: Public Water System Records and Local Aquifer Sampling Show the Same Data as Your Well Test
Public water system reports and aquifer sampling results in Whatcom County represent multiple wells, depths, and times, reflecting area trends rather than individual conditions. For example, USGS samples of 45 wells in the local aquifer from 2013 to 2017 found iron present in 29 of them, with concentrations ranging broadly from 4.3 to 4980 micrograms per liter. None exceeded federal limits. Your well’s actual water chemistry may vary significantly.
Myth: Any Detection Above a Median Value Means You Have a Problem Needing Immediate Action
Detected concentrations, like the median iron level of 26.5 micrograms per liter from the USGS data, do not indicate a violation or unsafe condition by themselves. Detection means the element was measured, but the range seen in Whatcom County wells spans from very low to moderately high levels, all within federal thresholds. A detection alone does not define whether treatment is required.
Myth: All Total Well Water Quality Issues Are the Same and Require the Same Solution
Well water concerns can be confused with other issues such as hardness or sediment, which differ in cause and treatment. Total well water problems encompass a combination of elements present in your specific source and distribution system. Differentiating these requires testing your water and understanding what each constituent affects, from taste and staining to appliance longevity.
Myth: Changing Household Plumbing Material Will Resolve Source Water Quality Issues
While the age and material of household pipes can influence how water interacts once it arrives at fixtures, these factors do not change the source water quality coming from your well. Plumbing materials may affect corrosion or particulate release inside the home but do not remove elements naturally occurring in the groundwater.
For households in Whatcom County wanting a comprehensive approach to total well water treatment based on reliable data, the recommended next step is to send a water sample to a certified laboratory for a detailed analysis. This test should specifically measure the compounds of interest, confirming actual concentrations in your home.
Once you have precise results, equipment such as the Autotrol Total Well Chlorination System, with a grain capacity of 32,000, can be directly purchased and configured to address the specific treatment needs your water demands. This system uses proven technology to manage constituents documented by government data and private testing, helping maintain water quality throughout your household.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2017-09-21. 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 Iron in the aquifer (Whatcom County): 45 results from 45 wells, median 26.5 ug/L, range 4.3-4980.0 ug/L; none above any federal threshold
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