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Quality of Water from Domestic Wells in the United States

2,167 Wells Sampled
in 30 Regionally Extensive Aquifers

Domestic wells sampled in this study (colored circles) are located in 48 states and within 30 regionally extensive aquifers used for water supply in the United States. The aquifers represented by wells in the study are shown, with aquifers and symbols for well locations color-shaded to indicate aquifer rock or sediment type.

This study from the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assesses water-quality conditions for about 2,100 domestic wells across the United States. As many as 219 properties and contaminants, including pH, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radon, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds, were measured. Fecal indicator bacteria and additional radionuclides were analyzed for a smaller number of wells. The large number of contaminants assessed and the broad geographic coverage of the present study provides a foundation for an improved understanding of the quality of water from the major aquifers tapped by domestic supply wells in the United States.

The results of this study are described in two USGS publications, including an overview of the study findings (Circular 1332) and a detailed technical report on data sources, analyses, and results (Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5227). Both publications can be downloaded in PDF format from the NAWQA website (see below). Also available in PDF format are two related articles in the Water Well Journal of the National Ground Water Association, which briefly summarize USGS study findings and general information on domestic well maintenance, siting, and testing.

Publications

• USGS Circular
• USGS Scientific Investigations Report
• Water Well Journal Articles

Press Release

Podcast

Maps, graphics, and tables

• Contaminants measured in this study
• Distribution of sampled domestic wells with one or more contaminant at concentrations greater than benchmark values for human health
• Contaminants most frequently present at concentrations greater than benchmark values for human health
• Radon in ground water from domestic wells
• Arsenic in ground water from domestic wells
• Nitrate in ground water from domestic wells
• Hardness of ground water from domestic wells
• Frequency of occurrence of mixtures

Frequently Asked Questions

Presentation of Findings to Congress on March 27, 2009
       -- Power point slides
       -- Text to accompany power point slides

Data

Related links:

• National Ground Water Association (access the NGWA press release and Power Point presentation given on March 27th at a congressional briefing in Washington D.C.)
• USGS NAWQA Program
• USGS Health-Based Screening Levels
• USGS Human Health Related Activities
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Private Drinking Water Wells
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Private Well Resources
• U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Program
• American Ground Water Trust
• Ground Water Protection Council
• National Rural Water Association
• Water Systems Council

For additional information on the study, please contact:

Leslie DeSimone
U.S. Geological Survey
10 Bearfoot Road
Northborough, MA 01532
Email: ldesimon@usgs.gov
Phone: (508)490-5023

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/domestic_wells/index.html
Page Contact Information: nawqa_whq@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: Friday, 01-May-2009 08:57:00 EDT