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Mississippi Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey Studies Quality of Drinking-Water Supplies in the Mississippi Embayment-Texas Coastal Uplands Principal Aquifer

By Carol P. Moss and Heather L. Welch

U.S. Geological Survey
Fact Sheet 2005-3133
April 2006

Introduction

The quality and quantity of ground water can affect the health and well-being of citizens who depend upon ground water for drinking-water supply, as well as have important consequences to the economic well being of a community. For many Americans, ground water is the primary source of drinking water. It also replenishes our streams and rivers, and provides freshwater for irrigation and industry.

An aquifer is a geologic formation, a group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield substantial quantities of water to wells and springs. Currently 16 of the Nation's 62 principal aquifers are being studied by the NAWQA Program. In aggregate, these 16 principal aquifers accounted for about three quarters of the estimated withdrawals for drinking-water supply in 1990 from the Nation's 62 principal aquifers. The METX principal aquifer was ranked 9th (with 1st being the largest use) of the 62 principal aquifers for 1990 estimated drinking-water use.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Mississippi Embayment-Texas Coastal Uplands Regional Aquifer
      Mississippi River Alluvial Aquifer
            Shallow Water Table Aquifer
      Mississippi Embayment Aqufier System
            Cockfield Aquifer
            Memphis-Sparta Aquifer
            Meridian-Upper Wilcox Aquifer
            Fort Pillow-Wilcox Aquifer
      Texas Coastal Uplands Aquifer System
            Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Data Collection
Why Are These Constituents Important?
      Major Ions
      Trace Elements
      Nutrients
      Pesticides
      Volatile Organic Compounds
Significant Findings
Additional Reading

Illustrations

Map showing areal extent of Mississippi Embayment - Texas Coastal Uplands aquifer system and location of wells sampled.

Tables

Geohydrologic units and corresponding local aquifer names.
Summary of selected constituents.
Summary of sampled wells and significant findings.

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