Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06

Brown, Craig J.; Starn, J. Jeffrey; Stollenwerk, Kenneth G.; Mondazzi, Remo A.; Trombley, Thomas J.

doi:10.3133/sir20095051

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Chloride/bromide (Cl/Br) ratios have been used to discriminate between wastewater and other sources of chloride from anthropogenic and naturally occurring contaminants in groundwater (Vengosh and Pankratov, 1998; Panno et al, 2006; Brown et al, 2009). The Cl/Br ratios in samples of STE ranged from 540 to 1150, with a median Cl/Br ratio of 694 ( n = 9).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fate of Effluent‐Borne Contaminants beneath Septic Tank Drainfields Overlying a Karst Aquifer

et al. 2010

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Groundwater quality effects from septic tanks were investigated in the Woodville Karst Plain, an area that contains numerous sinkholes and a thin veneer of sands and clays overlying the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA). Concerns have emerged about elevated nitrate concentrations in the UFA, which is the source of water supply in this area of northern Florida. At three sites during dry and wet periods in 2007-2008, water samples were collected from the septic tank, shallow and deep lysimeters, and drainfield and background wells in the UFA and analyzed for multiple chemical indicators including nutrients, nitrate isotopes, organic wastewater compounds (OWCs), pharmaceutical compounds, and microbiological indicators (bacteria and viruses). Median NO3-N concentration in groundwater beneath the septic tank drainfields was 20 mg L(-1) (8.0-26 mg L(-1)). After adjusting for dilution, about 25 to 40% N loss (from denitrification, ammonium sorption, and ammonia volatilization) occurs as septic tank effluent moves through the unsaturated zone to the water table. Nitrogen loading rates to groundwater were highly variable at each site (3.9-12 kg N yr(-1)), as were N and chloride depth profiles in the unsaturated zone. Most OWCs and pharmaceutical compounds were highly attenuated beneath the drainfields; however, five Cs (caffeine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, phenol, galaxolide, and tris(dichloroisotopropyl)phosphate) and two pharmaceutical compounds (acetaminophen and sulfamethoxazole) were detected in groundwater samples. Indicator bacteria and human enteric viruses were detected in septic tank effluent samples but only intermittently in soil water and groundwater. Contaminant movement to groundwater beneath each septic tank system also was related to water use and differences in lithology at each site.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fate of Effluent‐Borne Contaminants beneath Septic Tank Drainfields Overlying a Karst Aquifer

et al. 2010

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“…Multiple investigations have sought to characterize sources of contaminants to public-supply wells by studying observations of groundwater chemistry and age ( Aeschbach-Hertig et al 1998 ; Manning et al 2005 ; Katz et al 2007 ; Jurgens et al 2008 ; Landon et al 2008 ; McMahon et al 2008 ; Plummer et al 2008 ; Brown et al 2009 ; Hinkle et al 2009 ; Katz et al 2009 ; Landon et al 2010b ; Ayotte et al 2011 ; Musgrove et al 2011 ; Bexfield et al 2012 ; Eberts et al 2012 ); however, few studies appear to have used these observational data to explore whether seasonal variability in well operations can have important effects on water quality. Seasonal to multi-year variability has been described for public-supply wells in karst systems dominated by relatively young water (commonly less than about 50 years) ( Katz et al 2007 ; Musgrove et al 2011 ), where the quality of water from supply wells could be expected to respond to even short-term changes in hydrologic conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Seasonal Operation on the Quality of Water Produced by Public‐Supply Wells

Bexfield¹,

Jurgens

2014

Groundwater

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Seasonal variability in groundwater pumping is common in many places, but resulting effects of seasonal pumping stress on the quality of water produced by public-supply wells are not thoroughly understood. Analysis of historical water-quality samples from public-supply wells completed in deep basin-fill aquifers in Modesto, California (134 wells) and Albuquerque, New Mexico (95 wells) indicates that several wells have seasonal variability in concentrations of contaminants of concern. In Modesto, supply wells are more likely to produce younger groundwater with higher nitrate and uranium concentrations during the summer (high) pumping season than during the winter (low) pumping season. In Albuquerque, supply wells are more likely to produce older groundwater with higher arsenic concentrations during the winter pumping season than during the summer pumping season. Seasonal variability in contaminant concentrations in Modesto is influenced primarily by effects of summer pumping on vertical hydraulic gradients that drive migration of shallow groundwater through the aquifer to supply wells. Variability in Albuquerque is influenced primarily by the period of time that a supply well is idle, allowing its wellbore to act as a conduit for vertical groundwater flow and contaminant migration. However, both processes are observed in each study area. Similar findings would appear to be likely in other alluvial basins with stratified water quality and substantial vertical head gradients. Results suggest that even in aquifers dominated by old groundwater, changes to seasonal pumping patterns and/or to depth of well completion can help reduce vulnerability to selected contaminants of either natural or anthropogenic origin.

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“…(20) Similarly, gray water (wastewater from laundry, dishwashing, and bathing) that is introduced into the groundwater through underground structures can find short-circuit flow paths. (21) High-volume pumping of supply wells can also cause the direction of groundwater flow to change. In some cases, this change in flow direction can cause contaminated groundwater-such as wastewater from leaking sewer lines, water from a stream (induced infiltration), or shallow groundwater-to flow toward the supply well.…”

Section: Groundwater Pumping Can Cause Mixing Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009

Warner¹,

Ayotte²

2015

Circular

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http: //www.usgs.gov/pubprod To order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Warner, K.L., and Ayotte, J.D., 2014, The quality of our Nation's waters -Water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1352. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataWarner, Kelly L. The quality of our nation's waters---water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993States, -2009 ForewordThe United States has made major investments in assessing, managing, regulating, and conserving natural resources, such as water and a variety of ecosystems. Sustaining the quality of the Nation's water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits that make a difference to the lives of millions of people ( http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/applications/ ).Two decades ago, Congress established the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to meet this need. Since then NAWQA has served as a primary source of nationally consistent information on the quality of the Nation's streams and groundwater, on ways in which water quality changes over time, and on the natural features and human activities affecting the quality of streams and groundwater. Objective and reliable data, systematic scientific studies, and models are used to characterize where, when, and why the Nation's water quality is degradedand what can be done to improve and protect the water for human and ecosystem needs. This information is critical to our future because the Nation faces an increasingly complex and growing need for clean water to support people, economic growth, and healthy ecosystems. For example, NAWQA findings for public-supply wells, which provide water to about 105 million people, showed that 22 percent of source-water samples contained at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern. Similarly, 23 percent of samples from domestic (or privately owned) wells, which supply untreated water to an additional...

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Aquifer chemistry and transport processes in the zone of contribution to a public-supply well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002-06

Cited by 13 publications

References 74 publications

Fate of Effluent‐Borne Contaminants beneath Septic Tank Drainfields Overlying a Karst Aquifer

Fate of Effluent‐Borne Contaminants beneath Septic Tank Drainfields Overlying a Karst Aquifer

Effects of Seasonal Operation on the Quality of Water Produced by Public‐Supply Wells

The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the glacial aquifer system, northern United States, 1993-2009

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