Nitrate Concerns in Plymouth County Water: Understanding Levels in Aquifer 112SRFD
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WSP Whole House Nitrate Reduction System - Well Water, Nitrite Removal
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How Treated Water Differs at the Tap with Nitrate & Nitrite Removal
When water containing inorganic nitrogen compounds such as nitrate and nitrite passes through the Autotrol Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter, the concentrations of these compounds are reduced. This treatment results in water that is clear of elevated inorganic nitrogen levels, which can affect taste and contribute to other concerns related to water quality. After treatment, the water is less likely to present issues associated with nitrate and nitrite presence, offering an improvement from the untreated source water as documented in government surveys.
Understanding the Terms Detected, Median, and Range in Area Water Sampling
Government monitoring in Plymouth County's aquifer 112SRFD involved sampling 35 water results from 17 wells between 2010 and 2019. In these samples, nitrate and nitrite were detected in 27 instances while 8 were below reporting limits, meaning the instrument did not measure enough of these compounds to quantify them. The median concentration was 1.14 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which represents the middle value when all measurements are sorted from lowest to highest. The range of results spanned from 0.02 mg/L to 4.03 mg/L, indicating variability in nitrate and nitrite levels across different wells and depths within the aquifer. These numbers describe conditions in the broader region and cannot determine nitrate levels in any specific home’s water.
Distinguishing Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health-Based Limits for Nitrate
It is important to differentiate between secondary standards, which address taste, odor, and appearance, and primary health-based limits set to protect human health. The nitrate and nitrite levels found in Plymouth County’s aquifer 112SRFD samples did not exceed any federal health-based thresholds. This means there was no indication from area data alone of nitrate or nitrite at levels considered a health concern. However, aesthetic secondary standards exist to manage impacts like water taste or staining, and exceeding these does not imply a health risk, only a difference that some households may notice.
Household Water Issues Indicative or Not Indicative of Nitrate Presence
Nitrate and nitrite themselves typically do not cause symptoms like staining or sediment buildup, but high levels can affect water taste and clarity. Some health symptoms related to nitrate exposure are documented by health authorities but these cannot be diagnosed by water appearance or taste alone. Conversely, common household water problems such as cloudiness, unpleasant odors unrelated to inorganic nitrogen, or mineral scale are not signs of elevated nitrate. Confirming nitrate presence and concentration requires laboratory testing of household water samples.
What to Document Before Seeking Water Treatment Guidance
Before choosing a treatment method, note any laboratory test results for nitrate and nitrite levels from your own water supply. Include sampling date, testing method, and well depth if known. Identify any taste or odor issues and whether other contaminants were tested. This information helps determine which class of water treatment is appropriate for your household. The Autotrol Nitrate & Nitrite (Well) Filter is designed to reduce these inorganic nitrogen compounds when they are present but requires knowledge of your specific water conditions to confirm suitability.
What Area Sampling Data Do Not Establish About Your Water
While Plymouth County’s 112SRFD aquifer sampling indicates nitrate and nitrite occur at certain levels regionally, these figures do not reveal the concentration in your well or tap water. A detection or median value from area data is not a violation, nor does it guarantee your water contains similar nitrate amounts. No sample in this area exceeded health-based nitrate limits, but individual well tests are necessary to make household-specific treatment decisions. The presence of nitrate detected in the area informs awareness but should not lead to assumptions about your water quality without actual testing.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-09-05. 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 Inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and nitrite) in the 112SRFD aquifer (Plymouth County): 35 results from 17 wells, median 1.14 mg/L, range 0.02-4.03 mg/L; none above any federal threshold