Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5012
Abstract
The quality of shallow ground water underlying unsewered low-density development outside of Sheridan and Lander, Wyo., and Red Lodge, Mont., was evaluated. In 2001, 29 wells (10 each in Sheridan and Lander and 9 in Red Lodge) were installed at or near the water table and sampled for a wide variety of constituents to identify potential effects of human activities on shallow ground-water quality resulting from development on the land surface. All wells were completed in unconfined aquifers in unconsolidated deposits of Quaternary age with shallow water tables (less than 50 feet below land surface). Land use and land cover was mapped in detail within a 500-meter radius surrounding each well, and potential contaminant sources were inventoried within the radii to identify human activities that may affect shallow ground-water quality. This U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment ground-water study was conducted to examine the effects of unsewered low-density development that often surrounds cities and towns of many different sizes in the western United States—a type of development that often is informally referred to as “exurban” or “rural ranchette” development. This type of development has both urban and rural characteristics. Residents in these developments typically rely on a private ground-water well for domestic water supply and a private septic system for sanitary waste disposal. Although the quality of shallow ground water generally was suitable for domestic or other uses without treatment, some inorganic constituents were detected infrequently in ground water in the three study areas at concentrations larger than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards or proposed standards. Natural factors such as geology, aquifer properties, and ground-water recharge rates likely influence most concentrations of these constituents. These inorganic constituents generally occur naturally in the study areas and were more likely to limit suitability of water for drinking or other intended uses rather than any constituents suspected of being introduced as a result of human activities. Effects of human activities associated with low-density development, such as septic systems; fertilizer and pesticide use on pastures, lawns and gardens; manure from horses, cattle, and pets; and increases in road construction and vehicular traffic, were minimal at the time of sampling (2001) but were apparent in the presence of a few types of constituents in shallow ground water. Concentrations of nitrate generally were less than a national background level (1.1 milligrams per liter) assumed to indicate effects from human activities. Total coliform bacteria were detected infrequently (in samples from three wells), and Escherichia coli were not detected in samples from a subset of wells. Trace concentrations of methylene blue active substances (ingredients in laundry detergents) were detected at concentrations slightly greater than laboratory reporting levels in samples from 11 wells, but it is unclear if the detections are indicative of natural sources or possible aquifer contamination from septic-tank effluent. Pesticides were detected in both the Sheridan and Lander, Wyo., study areas. Volatile organic compounds were detected very infrequently in all three study areas. Most pesticides and volatile organic compounds were found in water from a few wells in each study area, and commonly as mixtures. The primary exception to this generalization was the relatively widespread detection of the pesticide prometon at trace levels in the Sheridan and Lander study areas. Concentrations of pesticides and volatile organic compounds generally were small and always were smaller than applicable drinking-water standards. Detections of all constituents indicating possible human effects on shallow ground-water quality were consistent with overlying land use mapped during the study, and potential sources of contamination inventoried during the study. Chlorofluorocarbon age-dating indicated much of the water sampled in the shallow aquifers had been recharged during the early 1990s or earlier. Chemical constituents in shallow ground water in 2001 may, therefore, not yet reflect unsewered low-density development that has occurred surrounding the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas during the past decade. In contrast, the detection of relatively few chemical constituents indicative of contamination by human activities may indicate that overlying unsewered low-density development that occurred in the past has had minimal effects on underlying ground-water quality. Continued monitoring is needed to determine effects on water quality from increasing development over time. |
Version 1.0 Posted March 2008 |
Bartos, T.T., Quinn, T.L., Hallberg, L.L., and Eddy-Miller, C.A., 2008, Quality of shallow ground water in three areas of unsewered low-density development in Wyoming and Montana, 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5012, 118 p.
Foreword
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Background
Methods of Investigation
Land-Use and Land-Cover Mapping
Site Selection
Well Installation and Construction
Ancillary Data
Sample Collection
Chemical Analyses and Data Reporting
Quality Assurance and Quality-Control Samples
Blank Samples
Replicate Samples
Field and Laboratory Matrix-Spike Samples
Major-Ion Balances
Water-Quality Criteria
Quality of Shallow Ground Water
Sheridan, Wyo., Study Area
Land Use and Land Cover
Hydrogeologic Setting and Apparent Ground-Water Age
Physical Characteristics
Major Ions and Related Water-Quality Characteristics
Trace Elements and Radon
Nutrients and Dissolved Organic Carbon
Bacteria
Methylene Blue Active Substances
Pesticides and Volatile Organic Compounds
Summary of Extent of Possible Water-Quality Effects from Human Activities in the Sheridan, Wyo., Study Area
Lander, Wyo., Study Area
Land Use and Land Cover
Hydrogeologic Setting and Apparent Ground-Water Age
Physical Characteristics
Major Ions and Related Water-Quality Characteristics
Trace Elements and Radon
Nutrients and Dissolved Organic Carbon
Bacteria
Methylene Blue Active Substances
Pesticides and Volatile Organic Compounds
Summary of Extent of Possible Water-Quality Effects from Human Activities in the Lander, Wyo., Study Area
Red Lodge, Mont., Study Area
Land Use and Land Cover
Hydrogeologic Setting and Apparent Ground-Water Age
Physical Characteristics
Major Ions and Related Water-Quality Characteristics
Trace Elements and Radon
Nutrients and Dissolved Organic Carbon
Bacteria
Methylene Blue Active Substances
Pesticides and Volatile Organic Compounds
Summary of Extent of Possible Water-Quality Effects from Human Activities in the Red Lodge, Mont., Study Area
Comparison of Study Areas in Relation to Possible Ground-Water-Quality Effects from Human Activities
Summary
References
Appendix 1. Land use and land cover mapped within 500-meter radius of sampled wells in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2000 and 2001
Appendix 2. Replicate data for major ions, trace elements, nutrients, and dissolved organic carbon in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 3. Analyses for dissolved gases in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 4. Analyses for radionuclides in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 5. Analyses for physical characteristics in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 6. Analyses for major ions and related water-quality characteristics in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 7. Analyses for trace elements in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 8. Analyses for nutrients and dissolved organic carbon in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 9. Analyses for bacteria and methylene blue active substances in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 10. Pesticides in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
Appendix 11. Volatile organic compounds in ground-water samples collected from wells completed in the Sheridan, Lander, and Red Lodge study areas, Wyoming and Montana, 2001
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