Hydrologic data from an area southwest of Tallahassee, Florida, where municipal wastewater effluent is applied by spray irrigation

Abstract

Water quality and groundwater levels were monitored in the area of a field where municipal wastewater is applied by spray irrigation. The area irrigated is 4 miles southwest of Tallahassee, Florida, on land covered in part by pine forest and in part by selected grasses and forage crops. Hydrologic and geologic data were collected from March 1972 through June 1981. Hydrologic data include groundwater levels, water quality, and spray-irrigation rates. Measurements of groundwater levels were made at 60 wells. Water-quality samples were collected at 1 municipal wastewater effluent site, 3 springs, 17 soil sites, and 64 wells. Water-quality data include.physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses. Geologic data include geophysical logs and lithologic descriptions of 34 wells.

Wastewater application by spray irrigation on a field southeast of Tallahassee, Florida: Effects on ground-water quality and quantity, 1980-82

“…For example, at a 51-foot well 1,800 feet downgradient from the southwest spray field, chloride increased from 2 mg/L (background) to approximately 17 mg/L during 1972 and 1973 (Slack, 1975) but then seemed to stabilize. Later, from 1975to 1980, Yurewicz (1983 observed chloride concentrations which consistently remained within the 10-20 mg/L range. Similarly, the nitrate-nitrogen trend showed a 1-or 2-year increase but then leveled to a relatively constant value.…”

“…It is useful to consider these results in comparison to observations by Slack (1975) and Yurewicz (1983) at the southwest field after 15 years of wastewater spray irrigation. Chloride levels in many wells from the southwest field were well above background levels, clearly showing an effect of the irrigation.…”

“…A number of test wells were installed in and around the field and, beginning in 1972, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Tallahassee, monitored water levels and quality of ground water. Two reports published earlier (Slack, 1975;Yurewicz, 1983) give the results of that monitoring program. Additional information about the Tallahassee spray irrigation project was given by Overman (1979) and Franks (1981).…”

Effects of treated municipal effluent irrigation on ground water beneath sprayfields, Tallahassee, Florida

“…He also studied a variety of crops determining that growth of forage crops in summer and winter under effluent irrigation was feasible at this site. Yurewicz (1983) and Yurewicz and Rosenau (1986) reported hydrologic changes and waterquality effects on ground water at the southwest spray-irrigation site during a study period from March 1972 to June 1981. They noted significantly increased concentrations of chloride and nitrate at the site, with the highest percentage increase over time during periods of experimental high application rates .…”

Effects on ground water of spray irrigation using treated municipal sewage southwest of Tallahassee, Florida

“…To assess the effects on ground water caused by spray irrigation of secondary-treated sewage, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Tallahassee and in close coordination with officials of the Thomas P. Smith Wastewater Treatment Facility, began a hydrologic investigation in 1972. This report presents results based upon data collected at the southwest spray field through June 1981 (Yurewicz, 1983).…”