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

Abstract

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...

Interactions of Water Quality and Integrated Groundwater Management: Examples from the United States and Europe

“…For example, groundwater in the vicinity of a landfill can have elevated concentrations of arsenic, yet the source of the arsenic is not the contents of the landfill (Warner and Ayotte 2014). Rather the source is geologic -part of the solid aquifer material (Delemos et al 2006).…”

“…In the glacial aquifer system, United States, geochemical conditions identified by presence or absence of dissolved oxygen (less than or greater than 0.5 mg/L) is a good indicator of the likelihood of detecting (or not detecting) arsenic concentrations greater than the drinking-water standard (10 μg/L) (Warner and Ayotte 2014). Human activities can alter recharge or change groundwater flow in ways that lead to changes in the aquifer geochemical conditions (Eberts et al 2013).…”

“…In the United States in 2006 when the drinking water standard was lowered to 10 μg/L the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency estimated that the initial cost to reduce arsenic concentrations to below the MCL of 10 μg/L for 50 of the community water supplies with elevated arsenic concentrations in Illinois (Fig. 14.2) could reach a total of $40 million dollars, with the highest costs associated with small community supplies (Warner and Ayotte 2014;Warner et al 2003;Warner 2001). On a national or worldwide scale, this is a large water-quality cost to consider.…”

“…The cost of treating for arsenic in large public-water utilities is an economic cost, but the human health cost of not treating for elevated arsenic in drinking water can be substantial. Costs, like that of public water suppliers using the glacial aquifer system in the United States, were estimated at 29 million dollars in 1999 to treat groundwater for a single issue of concern: elevated arsenic concentrations (Warner and Ayotte 2014). In the United States in 2006 when the drinking water standard was lowered to 10 μg/L the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency estimated that the initial cost to reduce arsenic concentrations to below the MCL of 10 μg/L for 50 of the community water supplies with elevated arsenic concentrations in Illinois (Fig.…”

“…Manganese (World Health Organization 2011) iv. Total dissolved solids, iron, and aesthetic contaminants Warner and Ayotte 2014) v. Arsenic (e.g., see Sect. 14.3.1)…”