The Rutland aquifer supplies an excellent source of safe, reliable drinking water. The 15 operating wells have varied chemical composition due to the length of time the water has been in the aquifer and the varying minerals the water has been in contact with. Ground water is normally more mineralized than surface water. Mineralization in ground water is very common and has both positive and negative qualities.

Mineralized water that meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines is thought to be healthier and a supplier of needed minerals in the body. Heart organizations suggest that mineralized water is healthier than non-mineralized water. The minerals also add to the taste and in many cases are preferred (although taste is a very personal preference).

Some of the negative aspects of mineralized water are considered “aesthetic” in nature and are not considered to have negative health components. Ground water usually contains higher levels of hardness, iron, calcium and manganese. These four specific components are in Rutland water in varying amounts depending on the wells on-line. During summer months when the irrigation demands are high, the water has higher concentrations of these minerals present because higher mineralized wells are on-line to meet the demand.

Staining of dishes, bathroom and kitchen surfaces, silverware, house siding, cars etc. These are common complaints about mineralized water. The spotting and staining is increased by the presence of chlorine which is an oxidant that makes the minerals precipitate out of solution. Heat and evaporation can also cause the minerals to come out of the solution. Again, it must be stressed that these minerals are natural and are not injurious to your health in the quantities contained in Rutland water.

Water levels in the wells are measured every two weeks, as shown in the picture. The average well depth is 191 feet, with the deepest well in the district being 348 feet. The depths of the wells in the Rutland Waterworks District are listed below.

No. 2 - 348 feet (not in operation due to poor water quality)
No. 3A - 150 feet (used only during periods of high demand)
No. 3 - 207 feet
No. 4 - 238 feet
No. 5 - 158 feet 8 inches
No. 6 - 200 feet (used only during summer months)
No. 7E - 220 feet (used only during summer months)
No. 7W - 120 feet (used only during summer months)

No. 8 - 188 feet (used periodically in the summer only)
No. 9 - 186 feet (used only during summer months)
No. 10 - 176 feet (used only during periods of very high demand)
No. 11 - 166 feet (used very rarely in attempt to conserve aquifer)
No. 12 - 199 feet
No. 13 - 104 feet
No. 14E - Currently being tested for operation
No. 14W - Not yet in operation
No. 15 - 202 feet

Water samples are obtained twice a week from four select locations in the district. These samples are tested for free and total chlorine levels, and pH. Once every two weeks they are also tested for hardness, iron, nitrites, nitrates, and manganese. Once per month samples are obtained from eleven locations in the district, and a test for the presence or absence of bacteria is done in addition to the regular test.