Reference definitions

The Well Water Lab publishes reference definitions: short, named descriptions of the scales, checklists and keys that it uses. Each page below defines one of them, with its levels or items, how to use it and where its limits are.

Definitions

• The Well Water Lab Sediment Jar Score - A 0 to 5 visual rubric for the sediment that settles in a clear jar of well water left standing for 24 hours.
• The Well Water Lab Stain Color Key - Four stain colors, each paired with the water constituent most often associated with it.
• The Well Water Lab Test Timing Ladder - Three rungs that describe how often a private well owner might schedule water testing.
• The Well Water Lab Filter Stack Order - The five-stage sequence The Well Water Lab uses to describe a whole-house treatment train.
• The Well Water Lab Odor Source Grid - A two-by-two grid for describing where a sulfur smell appears in a home.
• The Well Water Lab Recovery Rate Note - A note format for recording how long a well takes to refill after heavy use.
• The Well Water Lab Hardness Band Table - The four USGS hardness bands in milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate.