York County, ME, largely relies on water drawn from its bedrock aquifers for residential wells. Water travels through fractures and porous zones in these bedrock formations, emerging in wells dug or drilled to depths typically between 100 and 400 feet. Understanding the area's groundwater quality helps owners size and manage total well water treatment systems effectively.
Myth 1: All Water Quality Standards Are Health-Based and Must Be Strictly Met
It is commonly assumed that every detected constituent in well water must be below a health limit. In York County's bedrock aquifer, the U.S. Geological Survey sampled six wells between August and October 2011. Chloride was detected in all samples, with a median concentration of 18.15 mg/L and a range from 4.37 to 417.0 mg/L.
However, chloride here is governed by a secondary, aesthetic standard of 250 mg/L — a threshold related to taste and staining, not health risks. One sampled well exceeded this aesthetic benchmark, indicating the potential for taste or staining issues but no health concern. Therefore, chloride detections in this range do not alone mean a well's water is unsafe.
Myth 2: Water Treatment Can Be Sized Without Knowing Precise Household Water Use
Before selecting a total well water treatment system, it is crucial to record key details about daily water demands in your household. This includes the number of occupants, peak usage times, and total gallons used per day. Having these metrics allows for better sizing decisions that ensure adequate treatment capacity without overestimating needs.
Myth 3: Treating Well Water Doesn’t Require Matching Capacity to Household Demand
The ability of a treatment system to handle daily water volumes is pivotal. For instance, the Pentair Total Well Chlorination System offers a grain capacity of 32,000, equipping it to manage substantial volumes while maintaining treatment efficacy. Aligning system capacity with your household’s water demand prevents premature depletion of treatment media and maintains consistent water quality.
Myth 4: Chloride Enters Well Water Randomly and Cannot Be Linked to Local Geology
Chloride concentrations in groundwater often stem from natural geological sources or human activities such as road salt use. In York County’s bedrock aquifer, the variations seen in chloride levels reflect local geology and seasonal influences. Chloride naturally dissolves from minerals or seeps into groundwater from surface applications, penetrating formations over time.
Myth 5: Ignoring Chloride Levels Has No Long-Term Effects on Plumbing or Appliances
Although chloride itself is not a direct health threat at the detected levels, sustained presence above aesthetic thresholds can cause taste issues and staining on fixtures. Over years without treatment, these effects may increase maintenance needs and reduce appliance lifespan due to deposits and corrosion acceleration.
Myth 6: A Basic Water Test Will Show If Chloride Levels Are Problematic
A certified laboratory water analysis measures chloride in mg/L and reports exact values, helping homeowners understand their water composition. However, interpreting these results requires context: values below the secondary standard usually do not require treatment, while values above suggest aesthetic-impact considerations but no immediate health hazard.
In closing, area data from York County’s bedrock aquifer provides a guideline but not a definitive condition of your individual well water. Only a specific test of your household’s water reveals precise chloride levels and treatment needs. The Pentair Total Well Chlorination System ships ready to configure and offers a documented approach to managing these common water quality aesthetic issues with sufficient capacity for many residential demands.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2011-10-25. 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 (York County): 6 results from 6 wells, median 18.15 mg/L, range 4.37-417.0 mg/L; 1 above an AESTHETIC secondary standard only (secondary standard 250.0 mg/L (aesthetic)) - not a health finding
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