an overview of groundwater quality in texas cary l. betz, p. g. groundwater planning and assessment...
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An Overview of Groundwater Quality in
Texas
Cary L. Betz, P. G.Groundwater Planning and Assessment
Team, Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality
While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .
While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .
While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .
Sampling and analysis ofgroundwater quality hasalso been taking place.
Groundwater Quality Programs
• USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program
• USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program
• TWDB Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program
Groundwater Quality Programs
Groundwater Quality Programs
• USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program
• TWDB Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program
• TCEQ Public Water Supply Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program
NAWQA
• South Central Texas
NAWQA
• South Central Texas
• Trinity River Basin
NAWQA
• South Central Texas
• Trinity River Basin• High Plains
Regional Ground Water Study
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring
• 129,826 wells
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring
• 129,826 wells• Anions, Cations,
and Infrequent Constituents
State Well Number Month Day Year Sample Number Storet Code Qualifier Concentration Other3458904 10 10 1986 1 1045 1303458904 4 27 1993 1 10 26.53458904 4 27 1993 1 90 -291.73458904 4 27 1993 1 608 0.553458904 4 27 1993 1 613 < 0.013458904 4 27 1993 1 618 < 0.01
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring
• 129,826 wells• Anions, Cations,
and Infrequent Constituents
• Major Aquifers
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring
• 129,826 wells• Anions, Cations,
and Infrequent Constituents
• Major Aquifers• Minor Aquifers
Ambient Groundwater Monitoring
• 129,826 wells• Anions, Cations, and
Infrequent Constituents
• Major Aquifers• Minor Aquifers• Basis for the
groundwater portion of the State’s Water Quality Inventory (305(b) report)
State of Texas Water QualityInventory
N
Aquifers Inventoried in the 1998 Report -Majors: Cenezoic Pecos Alluvium, Edwards-Trinity, Ogallala. Minors: Capitan Reef, Ellenberger, Hickory, Marble Falls, Rita Blanca, Rustler
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2000 Report -Majors: Gulf Coast, Hueco-Messilla Bolsons, SeymourMinors: Blaine, Blossom, Bonespring- Victorio Peak, Lipan, Nacatoch, Woodbine
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2002 Report -Majors: Carrizo-Wilcox,Edwards - Balcones Fault Zone Trinity, Minors: Brazos, Dockum, Edwards-Trinity High Plains, Igneous Marathon, Queen City,Sparta,West Texas Bolsons,Yegua
Major Aquifer
Minor Aquifer
Public Drinking Water Monitoring
• Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems
Public Drinking Water Monitoring
• Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems
• Large suite of potential drinking water contaminants
Public Drinking Water Monitoring
• Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems
• Large suite of potential drinking water contaminants
• Will be integrated into the 2004 Water Quality Inventory
State of Texas Water QualityInventory
N
Aquifers Inventoried in the 1998 Report -Majors: Cenezoic Pecos Alluvium, Edwards-Trinity, Ogallala. Minors: Capitan Reef, Ellenberger, Hickory, Marble Falls, Rita Blanca, Rustler
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2000 Report -Majors: Gulf Coast, Hueco-Messilla Bolsons, SeymourMinors: Blaine, Blossom, Bonespring- Victorio Peak, Lipan, Nacatoch, Woodbine
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2002 Report -Majors: Carrizo-Wilcox,Edwards - Balcones Fault Zone Trinity, Minors: Brazos, Dockum, Edwards-Trinity High Plains, Igneous Marathon, Queen City,Sparta,West Texas Bolsons,Yegua
Major Aquifer
Minor Aquifer
The Water Quality Inventory
• For the past three report cycles, has represented selected Ambient Groundwater Monitoring data in a graphic format using GIS software
State of Texas Water QualityInventory
N
Aquifers Inventoried in the 1998 Report -Majors: Cenezoic Pecos Alluvium, Edwards-Trinity, Ogallala. Minors: Capitan Reef, Ellenberger, Hickory, Marble Falls, Rita Blanca, Rustler
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2000 Report -Majors: Gulf Coast, Hueco-Messilla Bolsons, SeymourMinors: Blaine, Blossom, Bonespring- Victorio Peak, Lipan, Nacatoch, Woodbine
Aquifers Inventoried in the 2002 Report -Majors: Carrizo-Wilcox,Edwards - Balcones Fault Zone Trinity, Minors: Brazos, Dockum, Edwards-Trinity High Plains, Igneous Marathon, Queen City,Sparta,West Texas Bolsons,Yegua
Major Aquifer
Minor Aquifer
The Water Quality Inventory
• Nitrate was selected as the contaminant to be represented. Maps were constructed using the most recent data gathered for the major and minor aquifers
The Water Quality Inventory
The Water Quality Inventory
• For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically
The Water Quality Inventory
• For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically
The Water Quality Inventory
• For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically – including the “infrequent constituents”
The Water Quality Inventory
• This inventory, because of the relatively limited data that is available, cannot completely characterize the groundwater quality in the state
The Water Quality Inventory
• Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination
The Water Quality Inventory
• Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination
The Water Quality Inventory
• Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination
The Water Quality Inventory
• Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination
The Water Quality Inventory
• Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination
The Water Quality Inventory
• As has been state in the report for several cycles, “The quality of groundwater in Texas is generally good” . . . which is not to say that we have no concerns.
The Water Quality Inventory
• Monitoring programs need to be maintained and enhanced to provide the best picture possible of groundwater quality.
There is Much Work to be Done