B-6257 11/12
Texas Well Owner Network Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Major aquifers of Texas.Major Aquifers of Texas
DALLAM SHERMAN HANSFORD OCHILTREE LIPSCOMB
HARTLEY MOORE HUTCHINSON ROBERTS HEMPHILL
OLDHAM POTTER CARSON GRAY WHEELER
COLLINGS- DEAF SMITH RANDALL ARMSTRONG DONLEY WORTH
PARMER CASTRO SWISHER BRISCOE HALL CHILDRESS
HARDEMAN
BAILEY LAMB HALE FLOYD COTTLE MOTLEY WILBARGER FOARD WICHITA
CLAY LAMAR MONTAGUE RED RIVER COOKE GRAYSON FANNIN COCHRAN HOCKLEY LUBBOCK CROSBY DICKENS KING KNOX BAYLOR ARCHER BOWIE DELTA
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I YOAKUM S TERRY LYNN GARZA KENT STONEWALL HASKELL MORTON YOUNG HUNT N CASS CAMP ROCK- WALL RAINS MARION WOOD UPSHUR SHACKEL- PARKER TARRANT DALLAS GAINES DAWSON BORDEN SCURRY PALO PINTO FISHER JONES FORD STEPHENS KAUFMAN VAN ZANDT HARRISON G REGG
HOOD SMITH JOHNSON ELLIS ANDREWS MARTIN HOWARD MITCHELL NOLAN EASTLAND TAYLOR CALLAHAN SOMER- HENDERSON PANOLA ERATH VELL RUSK NAVARRO CHEROKEE EL PASO HILL BOSQUE SHELBY LOVING WINKLER ECTOR MIDLAND GLASSCOCK COKE COMANCHE ANDERSON NACOGDOCHES STERLING RUNNELS COLEMAN BROWN FREESTONE HAMILTON AUGUSTINE HUDSPETH WARD McLENNAN LIMESTONE SAN CULBERSON MILLS SABINE CRANE TOM GREEN CORYELL HOUSTON UPTON REAGAN ANGELINA REEVES CONCHO LEON IRION FALLS McCULLOCH LAMPASAS SAN SABA TRINITY NEWTON
J ROBERTSON A BELL MADISON S P
E SCHLEICHER MENARD POLK TYLER R MILAM WALKER JEFF DAVIS PECOS BURNET CROCKETT MASON LLANO BRAZOS WILLIAMSON SAN GRIMES JACINTO KIMBLE BURLESON SUTTON HARDIN TRAVIS GILLESPIE LEE MONTGOMERY WASHING- BLANCO LIBERTY ORANGE TERRELL TON WALLER BASTROP PRESIDIO KERR HAYS JEFFERSON EDWARDS KENDALL AUSTIN HARRIS VAL VERDE FAYETTE CALDWELL BREWSTER REAL COMAL CHAMBERS BANDERA COLORADO GUADALUPE FORT BEND
BEXAR GONZALES GALVESTON LAVACA KINNEY UVALDE MEDINA WHARTON BRAZORIA WILSON DE WITT JACKSON ATASCOSA KARNES ZAVALA FRIO MATAGORDA VICTORIA MAVERICK Legend GOLIAD BEE CALHOUN DIMMIT Pecos Valley LA SALLE McMULLEN LIVE OAK REFUGIO ARANSAS SAN Seymour PATRICIO JIM WEBB WELLS NUECES DUVAL Gulf Coast DEVE LO R PM KLEBERG E E Carrizo - Wilcox (outcrop) T N A T W
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BROOKS S O Carrizo - Wilcox (subcrop) ZAPATA
KENEDY
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Hueco - Mesilla Bolson E T
STARR WILLACY Ogallala HIDALGO
Edwards - Trinity Plateau (outcrop) CAMERON Edwards - Trinity Plateau (subcrop) Edwards BFZ (outcrop) Edwards BFZ (subcrop) Trinity (outcrop) DISCLAIMER This map was generated by the Texas Water Development Board Trinity (subcrop) © using GIS (Geographic Information System) software. No claims are made to the accuracy or completeness of the NOTE: Chronology by Geologic age. Miles information shown herein nor to its suitability for a particular use. 0 25 50 100 150 200 The scale and location of all mapped data are approximate. OUTCROP (portion of a water-bearing rock unit exposed at the land surface) SUBCROP (portion of a water-bearing rock unit existing below other rock units) Map updated December 2006 by Mark Hayes, GISP
www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater Texas Well Owner Network Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
Kristine Uhlman Extension Program Specialist–Water Resources
Diane E. Boellstorff Assistant Professor and Extension Water Resources Specialist
Mark L. McFarland Professor and State Water Quality Coordinator
Brent Clayton Extension Program Specialist
John W. Smith Extension Program Specialist
The Texas A&M System
Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction About the Handbook...... 1 About the Texas Well Owner Network...... 1 Chapter 2. Aquifers in Texas How Aquifers Develop...... 3 Water Movement in Aquifers...... 3 What Creates an Aquifer?...... 4 Aquifer Recharge...... 7 Chapter 3. Physiographic Provinces of Texas and Aquifer Types High Plains...... 9 Gulf Coastal Plains...... 10 Grand Prairie and the Edwards Plateau...... 11 North-Central Plains...... 12 Basin and Range...... 12 Central Texas Uplift: The Hill Country...... 13 Chapter 4. Watersheds and Aquifers Soil Type...... 16 Land Use...... 16 Topography...... 17 Aquifer Characteristics...... 18 Chapter 5. Well Siting and Construction Information about Your Well...... 21 Well Siting Regulations...... 23 Well Construction...... 24 How Wells Affect Aquifers: Cones of Depression...... 27 Well System Failure...... 28 Chapter 6. Water Quantity Texas Water Rights and Groundwater Ownership...... 31 Shared Wells ...... 32 Low-Yielding Wells...... 34 Options for Correcting Low-Yield Wells...... 34 Drought...... 35 Chapter 7. Water Quality Drinking Water Guidelines and Standards...... 37 Total Dissolved Solids...... 38 Hardness...... 39 Acidic or Alkaline Water: pH...... 39 Organic Matter and Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor)...... 40 Dissolved Metals, Iron, and Manganese...... 40 Naturally Occurring Contaminants in Texas Groundwater...... 41
▼v Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 8. Common Contaminants in Well Water Nitrate...... 45 Bacteria and Pathogens...... 46 Contaminants Produced by People...... 47 Emerging Contaminants...... 48 Chapter 9. Water Quality Testing Water Quality Testing Schedule...... 51 How to Sample a Drinking Water Well...... 53 Interpreting Water Test Results...... 53 Doing Your Own Testing: Water Testing Kits...... 54 Chapter 10. Water Treatment Options Particle and Microfiltration...... 57 Activated Carbon Filter...... 58 Reverse Osmosis...... 58 Distillation...... 59 Ion Exchange: Water Softening...... 59 Disinfection...... 60 Continuous Chlorination of Domestic Wells...... 60 Boiling...... 60 Emergency Disinfection...... 60 Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality Well Installation and Maintenance...... 63 Wellhead Protection...... 64 Household Wastewater Management and Onsite Septic Systems...... 66 Plugging Abandoned Water Wells...... 67 Shock Chlorination of Water Wells...... 68 Hydraulic Fracturing...... 69 APPENDICES . A Agencies and Organizations: Where to Find Help...... 70 B. National Primary Drinking Water Standards...... 72 C. Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Possible Sources...... 78
GLOSSARY...... 81
▼vi Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Acknowledgments
Funding Sources This guide was developed with support from a grant from the Nonpoint Source Management Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program is under the purview of the Clean Water Act Section 319, through the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, under Agreement No. 10-04. Support was also given by the National Integrated Water Quality Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2008-51130-19537, also known as the Southern Region Water Resource Project.
Review and Development The authors would like to thank the following groups and individuals for their assistance: Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Jana Lloyd T. J. Helton Aaron Wendt Texas Water Resources Institute Brian VanDelist Danielle Kalisek Kevin Wagner Texas Groundwater Protection Committee Alan Cherepon, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality David Gunn, Texas Department of Licensing and Registration Kathy McCormack, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chris A. Muller, Texas Water Development Board Peter Pope, Texas Railroad Commission
Special Thanks To: Pamela Casebolt, T. J. Helton, and Aaron Wendt of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, for their vision and support of this new program Janick Artiola of the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science at the University of Arizona, and Gary Hix of the Arizona Water Well Association, for sharing their work from the Arizona Well Owner Program Lisa Angeles Watanabe for graphics development Robert Mace of the Texas Water Development Board for sharing his collection of historic photos Diane Bowen and Melissa Smith, Extension Communication Specialists, for editing and graphic design
Disclaimer The information in this publication is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products and/or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is implied.
▼vii Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 1: Introduction Chapter 1: Program Chapter 1: Program IntroductionChapter 1: Introduction Introduction
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ooperation with the Texas State Soil and Water and Soil Water State with the Texas ooperation • Help • Help Anyone who wants to learn about, improve, and improve, learn wants to who about, Anyone resources can community water partici-protect net- Owner The Network. Well in the Texas pate agricultural well owners, includes produc- work makers, and community leaders. decision ers, Welloffered Network is being TexasOwner The by c and orga- agencies BoardConservation and other nizations. References H. L. S. J. R. M. Carter, Qi, J. C., Bartholomay, Summary of Squillace, and L. G. 2007. Rowe. Selected U.S. Survey Geological Domestic Data on Quality USGS the NEPHTP. CDC for Water Well Report 2007-5213. Reports, Housing Census Current Bureau. U.S. Survey Housing the American for H150/07, Series Printing Government U.S. 2007, States: United Available 2008. DC: 20401, Washington, Office, www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/h150-07.pdf. at groundwater sources, water quality, water treat Texas the About Well Owner Network Well Network is Texasan educa- Owner The tional program that aims to: • Educate ment, and well maintenance issues. ment, 1 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
ousehold well owners in Texas are in Texas well owners ousehold ensuring that for their well responsible drinkwho is safe drink.water to People
About the Handbook About Texans keep help to was created Thispublication safe drinktheir well water to was and use. It Well the participants in for thewritten Texas residents (TWON)Owner and Texas Network their drink- wells for household on depend who Texas about information provides It ing water. H polluted water can become sick and, in some and, can in some sick water become polluted caused contami- cases, by Health die. problems illnesses bacteria include from well water nated and arsenic assuch E. syndrome,” baby coli, “blue poisoning. drinkingUnsafe wells is caused from often water minerals—such of highby as concentrations arsenic and uranium—that occur naturally across can seepage water by also be polluted Well Texas. failed tanksfrom septic synthetic com- and by as such pounds fertilizers, gasoline, and pesti- cides. up Disease for Control, According the Centers to pri- on depend households U.S. of percent 30 to used drinking wells Of the water for vate water. groundwa- is from roughly 60 percent in Texas, the earth’s surface. below which is the water ter, the govern- States, as the United across In Texas, well water test household routinely does not ment make is safeto drink. it sure to well The driller the well is first when bacteria for test it must is who installed; is thewell owner it thereafter, making for is safe. the sure water responsible quality and quantity are greatly Our water’s our learn we If affected we about live. by way the activi- our resources and understand how water ties safe affectour water we keep canhelp them, drinkto as and enhance well as protect, preserve, this vital resource. 2: Aquifers in Texas Chapter 1: Program Chapter 1: Program Introduction Chapter 2: Aquifers in Texas Introduction - -
Chapter 2: Aquifers in Texas ChapterAquifers 2: Texas in . porosity. ock fragments that compose unconsolidated ock unconsolidated fragments that compose In unconsolidated aquifers, water flows flows through water aquifers, In unconsolidated between pores grains sedi- of the interconnected to space of these grains ratio The is ment. known as primary These consolidated rocks bio by These can consolidated weathered be aquifers. to consol- between The transition unconsolidated is generally true it can rock but idated be subtle, canthat if you dig material the aquifer with at a is unconsolidated. the aquifer spoon, Movement Water in Aquifers When sediment is moved, it is often sorted into into is sorted often it isWhen moved, sediment particles similar of sand example, grains sizes. For tend wind a sand that dune by form deposited can rivers the same size.Fast-moving be about to 2½ transport about (rocks and large gravel cobbles in lakes contrast, and in diameter); inches 10 to at clay silt the and fine streams of layers slow form bottom. the mate- types movements, In some sediment of as landslides such rials when well, sorted arenot and rock sedi- of bits and jumbled loose deposit known as in colluvium.ment formed Aquifers materials are called unconsolidated sorted, poorly aquifers colluvial in rock consolidated into harden sediments Some knowna process as An lithification. of example cools hardens lava into and lithification is when basalt. sediments examples Other solid are when form to pressure are and squeezed buried under and metamor- they are when shale, melted or granite. form to phosed logical, chemical, and processes. physical Weather and other sand, gravel, silt, the clay, ing produces r flowing water to be alluvial. saidare water flowing Materials aeolian. wind are by termed moved 3 ▼ -
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1. onsolidated aquifers, the water is held in the is held the water aquifers, onsolidated paces (pores) between grains of clay, silt, sand, silt, between grains clay, paces of (pores) c fractures and cracks rock. of (bound or cemented) rock rock cemented) or (bound Consolidated the of the granite formations materials include Hill and the lime- Country Central of Texas stone and gravel. and gravel. Unconsolidated valleys.the sands river and of gravels In uncon solidated aquifers, water is held in the empty is held water aquifers, solidated s igure well or spring. Aquifers may be composed of one one of be composed may Aquifers spring. well or 1): materials of (Fig. a combination or materials, consolidated or materials, a combination of both. F Knowing how anKnowing geologi- has aquifer how developed water much cally understand how can you help is to that a well it can vulnerable and how yield contamination. wind when are aquifers formed Unconsolidated materi- geologic and deposits moves water or als by as such Materials sand and gravel. moved How Aquifers Develop • • A Chapter 2: Aquifers in Texas by 6feet. about New York and London the distance between increase will expansion alifetime,Over this year. 1inchabout per Ocean by to expand Atlantic the causing is Today, continental shift had its beginnings about 200 million years ago, about years million 200 itshad beginnings Valley Grande River Rio (Fig. 2). The activity up moves, enormous breaks it and plates lifts, of melted As deep rockinside circulates earth, the Aquifer? an Creates What output (see Chapter 11). out oil, water and carried to gas, well increase procedures of basis the hydraulicis fracturing process This rock. the up, orbreaking fracturing, aquifer, by beincreased porosity can secondary porosity. secondary rock called the is and spaces the ratiothe between orwhen fractures; rock breaks Consolidated aquifers develop filter. afine through pollutants get large cannot aquifer; the the reach can they removing pollutants many before filterwater moreeffectively, tend to particles Small spaces. 0.05 mm) have pore and smaller than (less smaller are which around silt clay particles, and Water flows much more slowly create poreand larger spaces. of soil of those other types than (0.05 larger are which to 2mm) aquifer made of particles, sand Water an moves through faster in Texas 2: Aquifers Chapter Did YouDid Know? In aconsolidated In rock Rocky Mountains, and the the Mountains, and Rocky sissippi Valley, River the Mis- the in logic activity been formed geo- by this Texas,In aquifers have relation other. to each continentsof earth’s the in movement the nental drift, conti- cause These forces called ences influ- natural rock using Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well tectonic forces. tectonic F across the state. across state. the many Valleys River aquifers that Grande formed Rio and Mississippithe River igure A view of Texas from space showing traces of the tectonic rifts along along Texas of rifts Aview 2. tectonic tracesthe of space showing from
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10. www.beg.utexas.edu/utopia/images) (Source: map of Texas. Physiographic province produced
igure geologic history and similargeologic types, and rock soil landforms, and climate. The vegetation, typesof quality in each andaquifers groundwater prov- that to region. ince are unique using informa- provinces below described are The which Texas, of Map the Physiographic from tion was in Also listed are the aquifer(s) Geology. nomic as aquifer each well as province the predominant house- a domestic, for water expected provide to hold well.
F G Chapter 3: Physiographic Provinces of Texas and Aquifer Types thousands of years ago. of years thousands aquifer the was to recharge enough there rainfall time was been pumped out, last the and younger already water has ago. It the that years appears atmosphere 2,500 to 6,700 contact in the with last was groundwater Ogallala the in the that estimated has Survey added. The Geological U.S. being is from aquifer the than More water extracted being is recharge. for available precipitation of amount the of climate limits region the arid also prevents water from seeping underground. The layer Plains of across High the hardened caliche slowlya very aquifer because recharges This overliethat Ogallala. the Windblownyears. silts and form rich sands soils depositedMountains has over 10 past the million erosion that clays gravels, and sands, of Rocky the of consists unconsolidated, poorlyOgallala sorted groundwatering for The other irrigation and uses. from extends and Texas tosupply South Dakota, underlies aquifer theHigh Plains The Ogallala F of Texas Provinces Types Aquifer 3: Physiographic and Chapter igure 11. High Plains High Texas. of Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well F igure Gulf Coastal Plains Coastal Texas. of Gulf 12. - ▼ 10 which are underground are which of bodies geologic material are The separated aquifers by aquitards, Dallas. formed Antonio to San from to Christi Corpus south. and Layers ofto east the aquifers have clay, silt and become deeper sand, and that thicker sorted unconsolidated sediment, layers with of of sedimentThese wedges formedlayers of well- River. sissippi from Mis the delta deposits discharged those like muds and weredated sands deposited aseries of in period, unconsoli this level rose During fell. and ofdeveloped subsided Mexico Gulf the as sea and Aquifers in the Gulf Coastal Plains Plains Coastal Gulf the Aquifers in Fig. in 10). red and areas orange, feet(shown 800 yellow, the reaching as Prairies toand Blackland higher the to Plains Interior the westward Coastal (Fig. 12) northward and increases Plains elevationthe Coastal of Gulf the From level of sea at Mexico, Gulf the Plains Coastal Gulf minor aquifer maps. shown major the in depths, as and at other area this in Other aquifers are - - Chapter 1: Program Chapter 3: Physiographic Provinces Chapter 1: Program Introduction of Texas and Aquifer Types Introduction - - - -
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F A Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers F F Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers mapping) Manoa.) igure igure The major river basins Texas. river of major The (Source: www.twdb.state.tx.us/ 19. 18. The water cycle. (Source: water cycle. The Dr. Hawaii of at Fred University Mackenzie, Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well ▼ 16 cantly. cantly. rate signifi- reduces recharge the layer. caliche a hard Caliche together tosoil form particles carbonate cements gravel and deeper soil. the calcium in The soilthe then deposits and it carbonatefromleaches calcium acidic slightly rain areas, arid In to aquifer. the reduce amount the of recharge slow percolation the rate and pores. Clay soils small through pores than large through easily Waterparticles. more drains the pores between large and soil have particles they large sandysoils because through more infiltrate water can Forstructure. example, much soil’sthe and depth, texture, holda soil can depends on amountThe thatof moisture Soil Type quality. groundwater affect also can factors These tics. characteris aquifer and space, precipitation rates, available pore topography, use, land soil type, rates, including recharge and infiltration factors affect Several contaminants that can percolate can that contaminants transports areas from urban (Fig. 20). Stormwater runoff septicsites, systems failed and dump landfills, such as activities strongly influenceduse land by be Groundwater can quality Use Land - Chapter 1: Program Chapter 4: Watersheds and Chapter 1: Program Introduction Aquifers Introduction The topography of topography The Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers and Watersheds 4: Chapter Topography Streams drain areas and rivers to water that recharge aquifer. the underlying to provide often recharge The in surface areas has where water lakesaccumulated or in ponds is called focused recharge. to is aquifer an water The area that contributes called the catchment area. 17 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply The effecthuman of activity on watersheds. 21. The area of the Aquifer contributing Edwards the is watershed and upstream above from the aquifer recharge area. 20. igure igure F F pesticides improperly, If applied the aquifer. to and lawns, fertilizers athletic fields, home from and agricultural lands can also contaminate water. occur rechargeAquifer through does not imper- surfacesmeable as and such parking roadways recharge can groundwater be However, lots. increased in agricultural areas imported where is used irrigate crops. to water Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers An • 23 24): and andunconfined confined (Figs. aquifers, types two Thereare (Fig. 22). aquifer type same the within significantly vary can Permeability materials. other and on permeability of the soils the depend rates also Aquifer recharge Characteristics Aquifer pore spaceto hold more water. only when berecharged it has can aquifer occur. An can recharge withwater, filled are no more pore the fractures and spaces all If Available Pore Space to 5.80.0004 inches per year. from state the ranges in recharge Houston.amount The natural of t than precipitation from rate less varies Across Texas,areas. average the wetter in those for than recharge have water less available rainfall little with areas Aquifers in Precipitation Rates aquiferthe (Fig. 21). into recharge the then focus that channels and beds into stream t the ple contributing the is of area to aquifer. the exam- An rainfall watera watershed from directs Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers o almost 48 inches per year in in 48 inches per year o almost water opography surface funnels r or snowfall. or
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F F rises in the well above the confining geological material. well above in the confininggeological the rises rate move the at water them. which can through determine igure igure Artesian wells are found in confined aquifers where the waterlevel the where aquifers in confined wells are found Artesian 23. aquifers unconsolidated and consolidated of characteristics The 22. ▼ 18 Chapter 1: Program Chapter 4: Watersheds and Chapter 1: Program Introduction Aquifers Introduction Chapter 4: Watersheds and Aquifers and Watersheds 4: Chapter Notes 19 ▼ - - Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply s covered with an aqui s covered i If the pressure moves the water to the to the water moves If the pressure A flowing artesian well in Hallettsville, Texas. Texas. Hallettsville, in well artesian flowing A 24. rmeable. The material prevents water from from water prevents material The rmeable. confined aquifer
entering the aquifer directly. the aquifer entering tard, which is geologic material very thattard, is not which is geologic pe igure ing well.ing ground surface,ground the artesian well is called a flow Sometimes the pressure in is a confinedaquifer the pressure Sometimes the rise cause above to to the water great enough the well becomes In theseaquitard. conditions, artesian. • A F Source: Fey and Braunig. Artesian Well, Photograph, Photograph, Well, Artesian Braunig. and Fey Source: n.d.; digital images, (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/ images, digital n.d.; metapth128796/m1/1/), University of North Texas Texas North of University metapth128796/m1/1/), Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; texashistory.unt.edu; History, Texas to Portal The Libraries, crediting Friench Simpson Memorial Library, Hallettsville, Hallettsville, Library, Memorial Simpson Friench crediting Texas. 5: Well Siting and Construction Basics Chapter 1: Program Chapter 5: Well Siting and Introduction Construction Basics - -
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11 Tr San 14 Red River od Jacinto Galveston Smith Franklin Cherokee Wo Harris Houston Brazoria Lamar Walker Delta Hopkins n Montgomery Anderson Va Rains Zandt Fort Bend Henderson Leon Hunt Waller Madison Grimes Matagorda Fannin voters. Freestone ocal set rulesmay GCD drilling for water new Wharton Austin
Kaufman Brazos shington 12 CD, and for more information about GCDs, GCDs, about information more and for CD, Rockwall Navarro Collin Wa Colorado ffectively. The plans must be approved bythe approved plans The be must ffectively. Jackson Burleson Robertson Limestone Dallas Grayson Ellis wells in addition to the state regulations. the state All to wells in addition well drillers installers and pump be licensed must with throughand the state registered the Texas ment a plan to manage groundwater resources manage a plan to groundwater ment e Within the 16 areas, there are currently 100 areas,are 100 currently there the 16 Within districts conservation locally created groundwater by Board. Development Water Texas districts 96 had an approved either In 2012, pro- in theapproval were planmanagement or within are located if a you determine cess. To G visit www.twdb.state.tx.us/GwRD/GCD/ gcdhome.htm. gcdhome.htm. A l Calhoun 15 Lee ctoria Milam Falls Fayette Lavaca Vi Aransas Hill Denton Refugio rrant Cooke Ta McLennan Bastrop De Witt Bell Johnson 21 Goliad Gonzales Wise Kleberg Bee 8 avis Cameron Caldwell Willacy Nueces Bosque San Patricio ▼ Williamson Tr Parker Somervell Kenedy Hood Montague Coryell Karnes Hays Jim Wells Wilson Guadalupe Clay Live Oak Jack Hamilton Burnet Erath Brooks Hidalgo Palo Comal Pinto Lampasas Blanco 16 Duval Bexar Mills Atascosa McMullen Young Comanche Llano Starr Archer Wichita Kendall Jim Hogg 9 San Saba Eastland Stephens Gillespie Brown Frio Medina La Salle 10 Mason morton Zapata Throck- Baylor Bandera Kerr ford Wilbarger Webb Shackle- Callahan McCulloch 6 13 Coleman Foard Knox Haskell Dimmit Zavala Real Kimble Hardeman ylor Uvalde Menard Jones Concho Ta Runnels wall King Stone- m Cottle 7 worth Childress Wheeler Collings- Hemphill To Lipscomb Nolan Edwards Green Fisher Maverick Kinney Coke Hall Schleicher Sutton Kent Motley Gray Dickens Donley Roberts Ochiltree rde Scurry Mitchell Irion Sterling Val Ve Val Briscoe Floyd Garza Crosby 1 Carson Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Hansford Crockett Hutchinson Armstrong Borden Howard Reagan Glasscock nn Hale Ly Swisher Lubbock Potter Moore rrell Randall Martin Sherman 2 Upton Dawson Midland Te rry Castro Te Lamb Hockley Ector Crane Andrews Hartley Oldham Pecos Gaines Dallam Deaf Smith Parmer Bailey Cochran Yoakum rd Wa Winkler Brewster 3 Loving Reeves 4 Jeff Davis Jeff Presidio Culberson
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F T Chapter 5:5: WellWell Siting Siting and and Construction BasicsBasics t F Texas • about from well the following the sources: number the use information tohistorical find Each 5: Well Construction Chapter and Siting only_8x11.pdf ification assignedthedriller. number by Youcan igure reports to the state on each well drilled. Of the the Of reports to state the on drilled. well each R G egistered water-well must submit drillers roundwater 96. Wintergarden GCD - 1/17/1998 95. Wes-Tex GCD - 11/5/2002 94. Victoria CountyGCD - 8/5/2005 93. Uvalde County UWCD - 9/1/1993 92. UpperTrinity GCD - 11/6/2007 91. Trinity Glen Rose GCD -11/5/2002 11/6/2001 - GCD Texana 90. - 4/5/1986 UWCD County Sutton 89. 11/3/1987 - UWCD County Sterling 88. 87. Starr CountyGCD- 1/6/2007 86. SouthernTrinity GCD - 6/19/2009 85. SoutheastTexas GCD -11/2/2004 - 2/8/1992 UWCD Plains South 84. 11/7/1989 - UWCD Saratoga 83. 82. SantaRita UWCD - 8/19/1989 81. Sandy LandUWCD -11/7/1989 5/12/2007 - GCD County Patricio San 80. 79. Rusk County GCD - 6/5/2004 78. Rolling Plains GCD - 1/26/1999 11/6/2001 - GCD Refugio 77. 76.Sands Red GCD - 11/5/2002 9/1/2009 - GCD River Red 75. 74. Real-Edwards andDistrict C R - 5/30/1959 73. PresidioCounty UWCD - 8/31/1999 72. Prairielands GCD - 9/1/2009 71. Post Oak Savannah GCD - 11/5/2002 70. Plum Creek CD - 5/1/1993 69. PlateauUWC and Supply District - 3/4/1974 11/6/2001 - GCD Pineywoods 68. 9/21/1985 - UWCD Basin Permian 67. 66. Pecan ValleyGCD- 11/6/2001 65. Panola County GCD - 11/6/2007 64. Panhandle GCD-1/21/1956 63. Northern TrinityGCD - 5/15/2007 62. North TexasGCD- 12/1/2009 61. North Plains GCD-1/2/1955 60. Neches& Trinity ValleysGCD- 11/6/2001 59. Middle Trinity GCD - 5/4/2002 58. Middle Pecos GCD - 11/5/2002 57. Mid-East Texas GCD - 11/5/2002 56. Mesquite GCD - 11/4/1986 55. Mesa UWCD - 1/20/1990 54. MenardCounty - 8/14/1999 UWD 53. Medina County GCD-8/26/1991 11/6/2001 - GCD McMullen 52. 11/7/2006 - GCD Trinity Lower 51. 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 48. Lone Star GCD - 11/6/2001 47. Llano Estacado UWCD - 11/3/1998 46. Live Oak UWCD - 11/7/1989 45. Lipan-Kickapoo WCD - 11/3/1987 44.Kinney County GCD -1/12/2002 43.Kimble County GCD -5/3/2002 11/2/2004 - GCD County Kenedy 42. 41. Jeff Davis County UWCD - 11/2/1993 40.Irion County - 8/2/1985 WCD 39.Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1- 10/5/1957 38.Hill Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 37.High Plains UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951 36.Hickory UWCD No. 1- 8/14/1982 11/4/1997 - UWCD County Hemphill 35. 34.Headwaters GCD - 11/5/1991 33.Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 32. Guadalupe County GCD - 11/14/1999 31.Gonzales County UWCD - 11/2/1994 30. Goliad County GCD - 11/6/2001 29.Glasscock GCD - 8/22/1981 - 5/3/2003 GCD Gateway 28. 27.Garza County UWCD - 11/5/1996 26.Fox CrossingWater District - 4/4/1986 25. Fayette County GCD - 11/6/2001 - 8/30/1965 UWCD Evergreen 24. Edwards23. Aquifer Authority7/28/1996- 22.Duval County GCD - 7/25/2009 21. Culberson County GCD - 5/2/1998 20.Crockett County GCD - 1/26/1991 19. Cow Creek GCD - 11/5/2002 18.Corpus Christi ASRCD - 6/17/2005 17.Colorado 11/6/2007 - County GCD 16. Coke County UWCD - 11/4/1986 15. Coastal Plains GCD - 11/6/2001 14. Coastal Bend GCD - 11/6/2001 13. Clearwater UWCD - 8/21/1999 12. Clear Fork GCD - 11/5/2002 11. Central TexasGCD- 9/24/2005 10. Brush Country GCD - 11/3/2009 9. Brewster County GCD - 11/6/2001 11/5/2002 - GCD Valley Brazos 8. 11/8/2005 - GCD County Brazoria 7. 6. Bluebonnet GCD - 11/5/2002 - 1/23/2001 GCD Blanco-Pedernales 5. 4. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 3. BartonSprings/Edwards Aquifer 8/13/1987 - CD 2. Bandera County River Authority& Ground Water District - 11/7/1989 1. 10/17/1987 - AndersonCountyUWCD The groundwater conservation districts in Texas. https://www.twdb.state.tx.us/mapping/doc/maps/gcd_ districts conservation groundwater The 26.
Confirmed Groundwater Conservation Districts Conservation well (Continued) EL PASO
Confirmed Groundwater Confirmed Conservation Districts Water
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NOTE: These subsidence districts are not Groundwater Conservation Districts Conservation Groundwater not are districts subsidence These NOTE: as defined under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, but have the ability to ability the have but Code, Water Texas the of 36 Chapter under defined as Database 21 regulate groundwater production to prevent land subsidence. land prevent to production groundwater regulate (Refer to Senate Bill 1537 of the 79th Legislative Session) Legislative 79th the of 1537 Bill Senate to (Refer CULBERSON Unconfirmed Groundwater Fort Bend Subsidence District Fort Bend Subsidence District Subsidence Harris-Galveston & Created by the 82nd Legislature 82nd the by & Created # Created by the 80th Legislature + Pending Election Results
PRESIDIO Conservation Districts Conservation 99. Terrell GCD County & + & + GCD County Calhoun 98. 97. + Lavaca GCD County # JEFF DAVIS JEFF five- Subsidence DistrictsSubsidence 73 41 REEVES
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9 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well six-digit WARD
WINKLER Board COCHRAN YOAKUM 81 BAILEY 58 PECOS PARMER ANDREWS GAINES DEAF SMITH DEAF CRANE ECTOR OLDHAM HARTLEY DALLAM 47 HOCKLEY 84 TERRY LAMB CASTRO TERRELL 99
MIDLAND UPTON well (TWDB) DAWSON MARTIN 37 55 61 RANDALL 0 SHERMAN POTTER LUBBOCK MOORE LYNN HALE 67 SWISHER GLASSCOCK REAGAN 82 29
25 CROCKETT HOWARD BORDEN iden ARMSTRONG HUTCHINSON 20 HANSFORD CARSON VAL VERDE CROSBY 27 GARZA FLOYD BRISCOE STERLING 64 50 88 40 IRION MITCHELL 49 SCURRY OCHILTREE - ROBERTS DONLEY DICKENS MOTLEY GRAY KENT
HALL SCHLEICHER SUTTON 56 COKE TOM GREEN KINNEY 12 COLLINGSWORTH ▼ 44 NOLAN FISHER EDWARDS © 95 MAVERICK 16 STONEWALL LIPSCOMB WHEELER HEMPHILL COTTLE CHILDRESS 89 74 69 35 100 KING 22 45 28 RUNNELS TAYLOR CONCHO JONES 54 MENARD HARDEMAN REAL UVALDE FOARD ZAVALA HASKELL DIMMIT KIMBLE 93 KNOX
78 43 96 34 COLEMAN SHACKELFORD CALLAHAN McCULLOCH 2 150 THROCKMORTON tx.us/ims/wwm_drl/viewer.htm. be able to find wiid.twdb.state.your at well about location. and well the details You may geology, of construction, other and yield, type Th TWDB groundwater since 2001. database TWDB been inventoried entered data the and into the 100 130,000 more past the have years, than 1 million-plus Texas in water drilled wells over (Confirmed and Pending(Confirmed Confirmation) and 36 WILBARGER KERR WEBB BAYLOR BANDERA MASON ZAPATA MEDINA LA SALLE 53 FRIO e database lists the well type, diameter, type, well the lists e database GILLESPIE BROWN 38 STEPHENS EASTLAND SAN SABA SAN WICHITA ARCHER KENDALL YOUNG JIM HOGG JIM LLANO STARR CONSERVATION DISTRICTS*, CONSERVATION COMANCHE 19 MILLS McMULLEN 91 ATASCOSA 200 52 26 BEXAR 87 22 DUVAL 23 PALO PINTO 10 BLANCO Miles LAMPASAS 5 COMAL ERATH 83 CLAY 24 BURNET 11 JACK HAMILTON BROOKS HIDALGO LIVE OAK 33 JIM WELLS JIM WILSON 46 GUADALUPE HAYS 59 KARNES 76 PARKER MONTAGUE 32
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herein nor to its suitability for a particular use. The scale and location W 6 are made to the accuracy or completeness of the information shown information the of completeness or accuracy the to made are using GIS (Geographical Information System) software. No claims claims No software. System) Information (Geographical GIS using This map was generated by the Texas Water Development Board
MATAGORDA A RAINS 15
* Districts that have, in whole or part, authority as assigned L
L GCD Data Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Environmental on Commission Texas Source: Data GCD Please refer questions pertaining to individual districts to
E ANDERSON DELTA 1
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Water-tight 27. epartment in Austin (512-239-0900). inepartment Austin (512-239-0900). ell map-based in its database gis3.tceq. at Aerobic spray area Aerobic spray TCEQ) f your well is located within a groundwater within well is located f your a groundwater f your well report is not online, it may be may it online, is not well report f your Soil absorption eld Soil boundary, and/or nonpotable well nonpotable and/or boundary, field I district, the district subsidence or conservation well. your about information more have may Alliance the Groundwa- Texas at for out Find or Districtster (www.texasgroundwater.org/) Board. Development Water the Texas w state.tx.us/waterwellpublic/index.jsp. I available D ( igure sources. F • 100 Well Siting Regulations Siting Well well a close can hasstate how The be on set limits 27). (Fig. contamination sources of potential to least:mustwellheadat be The • 50 • TDWB The • Texas Chapter 5:5: WellWell Siting Siting and and Construction BasicsBasics the land surface, filling the space between the well the between space filling surface, land the must extend 10 at least seal feetbelowA surface l hole well. The the borehole as diameter be at must brokenthrough open rock, an rock leaving bore- or, aconsolidated in rock aquifer, only 100 feet depth of well the may extend to full the casing the 1foot Underground,least above surface. land the at extend casing(s) the that require regulations State or PVC pipe. have wells Many only one casing. occasionally, outer made of atubular steel casing and, casing well actual the casings: well or two Texas,In amodern domestic may well have one to submersible the wiring pump. electrical the and water the to surface, the carries aquifer. drop the is pipe, Within casing the which from of different materials zones the mixing of the the and keeps well open casing helpsThe prevent is a thepipecasing borehole.in The well placed Well Casing F 5: Well Construction Chapter and Siting east 3 inches larger than that of casing. well that the than 3inches larger east igure Domestic well diagram. Domestic 28. Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well ▼ 24 of concrete,cement.asbestos or fiberglass, Older water. hard in made are scale Some casings well Steel susceptible is to corrosion develop can and sible. pipe shouldthreaded whenused fittings be pos- couplings moreare or expensive, mechanical s w To to install. relativelyand easy steel. PVC to resistant corrosion, lightweight, is steel,carbon (usually plastic PVC), stainless and are The commonmost casings formaterials well ofconditions pump to beinstalled. type the and to 8inches diameter, in depending on aquifer the fromWell for 4 household vary casings can wells doesnot lean. casing well the sure that make spaceto annular the spacers in install will driller space. annular as borehole. the and known casing is space This hould ell
minimize
water
be
joined with
the
As the well is being built, being is well the the As solvents,
without risk
of
contaminating
PVC glues.
casing
Although they they Although
sections
the
Chapter 1: Program Chapter 5: Well Siting and Introduction Construction Basics B has drilled slots set dis- at Chapter 5: Well Siting andChapter Construction Well 5: 30. Examples wire-wrapped of continuous (A) A igure Gravel Packs While a well is being installed, pack is a gravel typically in placed the the annular space outside sedi- prevent helps casing.pack screen The gravel the The grains well. of sand entering from ment Well Screens Well enter- from sediment prevent help screens Well move to screen ing water the The well. allows the of most through out the well while keeping screens are most common The sand and gravel. 30). (Fig. pipe perforated or slotted of made slotted A continuous well wire screen or is of made verticalplastic that of a series is around wrapped rods. Perforated pipe tances into steel or plastic. Perforated pipe should should pipe plastic. Perforated tances or steel into be used in that aquifers contain fine-grainednot alluvial allow materials sand to would because it fall the well. into are screens manufactured with specifiedWell diameters accommodate to openings and slot only placed They are conditions. local geologic well The in the saturatedand part the aquifer. of be damaged may well screen if the groundwater area. the screened and air drops enters elevation and slotted PVC screens (B). Reprintedand slotted permission by of screens PVC (B). Johnson Screens, a Weatherford Company. F 25 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 29. Example of cap a well made of aluminum. igure F A wellhead seal or cap on top of the well casing of A wellhead seal top cap on or insects, debris, keep and smallhelps animals out are usu- 29) caps (Fig. the well system. Well of ally and aluminum a thermoplastic, of made or equalize to screen the pressure a vented include is water the well when between and outside inside snugly. fit The should cap out. pumped Cap Concrete Pad pad that be a concrete requires law there Texas the wellhead at that extends laterally block at or theleast well in all 2 feet from direc- horizontal To leastmustat be 4 pad inches thick. The tions. the wellhead, at pooling the from water prevent the well casing. from away slope should pad Cement grout is used seal part to grout the of upper Cement contaminants draining from the well and prevent the surfacefrom the well along casing down and the aquifer. into slurry may of and cement consists The grout different typesof clay; include licensed the driller will local rules follow and make that sure the con- local to geologic isconstruction appropriate ditions. wells may be hand-dug andwells be hand-dug cased may with hand- stone. bricksplaced or Grout Chapter 5:5: WellWell Siting Siting and and Construction BasicsBasics (Fig. 32).the Theadapterwater diverts fromthe belowconnected line frost the to casing well the to house. the water Theadapter line running is the frost-proof and casing well the between seal winter. the in Theadapters providesanitary, a Pitless adapters prevent water pipes from freezing Adapters Pitless open. remain bedrock in boreholes the solidated aquifers because bedrock not needed for usually con-Screens in are wells borehole and (Fig. casing the 31).between wall space from annular the aroundand well the problems. removed are Fine-grained materials household water sediment from system future development well A process called into erode and well the aquifer. the improperly sediment pull gravel pack, it sized will of excessive pumping because tooing fast or an aquiferthe into and water the well. If the mov- is slow Gravel waterthrough also the passing packs soils oring unconsolidated aquifer materials. of those surround- the slots but than smaller are or screen the too gravel are big through to pass F 5: Well Construction Chapter and Siting permission of Johnson Screens, a Weatherford Company. aWeatherford Screens, Johnson of permission by Reprinted well screen. the around from sediment igure Pumping the well has removed fine-grained wellfine-grained has Pumping the removed 31. Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well can protect can the ▼ 26 the pump. pump. the do not demands continually activate small that (Fig. 33).water extra so on reserve has tank The stores that water fortank usage periods of heavy Most home have water apressurized systems well Storage Tanks plumbingthe continues underground. horizontallywell to prevent and it from freezing, F cold weather. Hix) (Source: Gary igure cable Submersible Electrical service Land surface zone Developed aquifer surface Borehole Drop pipe Well cover A pitless adapter protects pipes from freezing in freezing from pipes protects adapter Apitless 32. Pitless adapter Submersible Submersible Pump inlet Water line Perforated Grout seal to20ft or screen casing casing motor G.Hix 2012 pump water Static Blank level well Chapter 1: Program Chapter 5: Well Siting and Introduction Construction Basics
for Original
water table cone the
around the
(Figs. 28 28 (Figs. extend
aquifer, cone
may
aquifer,
the
rock
in cone
porous the
fractured
erpumping: or a cone or of depression • lowers the cone of depression • dries up the stream • original homeowner must spend $$$$ to drill a deeper well Ov system,
Chapter 5: Well Siting andChapter Construction Well 5: contaminants
table water Original and
artesian unconsolidated,
consolidated,
an a an
undreds feet. of f depression forms around the wellhead around in forms an f depression one of depression follows the underground the underground follows depression of one he well canhe eventually be captured and drawn h t c o is pumped water as circle more ever-expanding the aquifer. from into the well and water supply system. supply the well and water into fracture system and take may an unpredictable expands asshape the cone pull outward to more the well. into water Several problems can depres- of ariseSeveral cones from problems sion: • Water How Wells Affect Aquifers: Wells How Depression of Cones the groundwater a well, from As is pumped water typically the well around drops, elevation in the is known The cone as an cone. of shape inverted a drawdown cone and 34). on the depend sizeshape of The cone and the type is in: it aquifer of • In • In • In 27 ▼ erpumping lowers the cone of drepression Ov Air Air Valve Water Vessel Bladder Pressure house Charging To Precharged Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Original water table From well Bladder Pressure Tank e 34. Overlapping cones can drawdown the table lower water the point to where neighboring homeowner and wells 33. tank for a private Pressure system. well (Source: umping lowers th cone of depression igure igure P rivers can go dry. Gary Hix) F F Chapter 5:5: WellWell Siting Siting and and Construction BasicsBasics F system to fail. (Source: to fail. system Mike Prestigiacomo) to well the collapse and well screen the causing pump, the of bottom in the hole the through pump. Waterin this submersible forced was If • and causing permanent damage. permanent causing damage. and problem to avoid as well as overheating pump the throughout week the or month to prevent this residents should water the use more uniformly much over water such as used, is aweekend. The when too dry may well temporarily the run ing, water the If level recovers slowly pump- after If • If • 5: Well Construction Chapter and Siting igure well. aquifer, the riverbed,the through into and the run dry faster. dry run d intocontaminants well. the the may well draw the station storage tank, o t he well will begin pumping begin riverhe water will well from f pollution, such as a landfill or a leaky gas gas f pollution, or a leaky alandfill such as epression from anearby well, may wells both
35. the a the
cone Stray electrical currents formed a hole ahole formed currents Stray electrical
cone cone
intercepts
extends extends
a beneath out
neighboring
and Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well
beneath a
river
cone
or
a
stream, source
of
▼ 28 replaced. have and to be bedamaged pumpthe itself can 36). continues well the If sands, to pump gritty pipes, (Fig. plumbing and ments fixtures tanks, in groundwater buildup the elevations—is of sedi- dropping failure—and system firstThe sign of water erosion and aquifer. the in water, the with mixes the turbulence in causing water the If table air drops below casing, well the dropping is failure system groundwater elevations. Texas,In most the common of water cause well currents. by electrical stray 35 corroded being showsafter apump failed that by professional. well alicensed addressed Figure Pump or plumbing should be failure always outside of casing. well the water seeps backinto that aquifer the along the corroded pipe, standing and broken seals, surface becomeThecontaminatedof water because can lead to pollution can that ure of water the supply. fail- vulnerable to are mechanical systems well All Well System Failure F system. (Source:system. Mike Prestigiacomo) igure Sand accumulated on the screen of an irrigation anirrigation of accumulated screen the on Sand 36. Chapter 1: Program Chapter 5: Well Siting and Introduction Construction Basics Chapter 5: Well Siting andChapter Construction Well 5: 29 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Notes 6: Water Quantity Chapter 1: Program IntroductionChapter 6: Water Quantity
English
the
on
based Chapter Quantity 6: Water
is
law
groundwater
The first water well near Port Arthur, Texas. 38. The firstPortwell near water Arthur, ommon-law doctrine that associates groundwa- ommon-law igure Photograph, n.d.; digital images, (texashistory.unt.edu/ University of North Texas ark:/67531/metapth79168/), Libraries, texashistory.unt.edu; History, The Portal Texas to crediting Port Arthur Port Library, Texas. Public Arthur, Texas Water Rights and Water Texas Groundwater Ownership Texas c courts Texas 1904, Since with the landowner. ter determine capture” to of the “rule applied have damages for is liable who the with- relating to drawal and groundwater. use of essentially Thisitsdoctrine interpretation and has it been once that groundwater, provide the surface, to a wellcaptured and delivered by As land own- such, the landowner. to belongs sell use may ers all or they can the water capture their land. below from ruled that courts land- consistently have Texas as water they as want pump much may owners F If a well is pumped constantly at a rate of 17.4 17.4 of rate constantly a If a wellat is pumped will it reach the maximum gallonsGPM, 25,000 exempt be considered and would day (GPD), per by districts conservation may, use. Groundwater category well use. any other of rule, exempt grained finer bedrock or In consolidated allu- 5 3 to only known yield been wells to have vium, use. household for GPM 31 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
is the rate at which a well can at is the rate be fter a well is built and the pump installed,fter and a well the pump is built the licensed well driller will the pump and water produce ability to test its well to
37. Gary Drilling and installing a well. (Source: Hix) igure
F A to remove any fluids—such remove as to chemical drilling drilling—from used facilitate to muds the aquifer. yield Well to down drawing level thewater without pumped is measured yield in gal- intake.Well the pump (GPM). minute per lons to built yield must designed well be and The that rate meets the needs of a pumping at water Whether the well can well owner. yield the water greatly depends sustained supplies enough water characteristics, from the depth the aquifer’s on and the construction surfacethe ground water, to and the well. maintenance of identifies 36.117(b) Section Code §§ Water Texas well as “exempt froma household regulation when water providing domesticused use for or for solely poultry or livestock a tractlandfor on of larger acres is either that drilled, 10 than completed, or producing more of is incapable it that so equipped groundwater 25,000than of gallons a day.” Chapter 6: Water Quantity Landowners • recourse in protecting in recourse groundwater their or in Landowners outside have little of districts these or on spacing size the ofbased acre wells. tract groundwater including limiting rules, production may make of Adistrict capture. rule the modify give communitiespowers some can to that ability Groundwater have some conservation districts water resources. state’s ground- preferred for methods managing controlled locally the that established GCDs are creation of 1985 in GCDs. Legislation 1997 and Texasthe provided Legislature for voluntary the limitationsthe above. listed However, 1949 in productionthe or of use groundwater beyond authority the No has to regulate state agency Groundwater • Groundwater • A • Landowners • limitations of on including: capture, rule the have placed only courts afew the years, Over the groundwater beneath property. their thelandownersthat the confirmed own Court 2012, February recently as Texas the Supreme neighboringlandowners’ As it affects wells. of howfrom regardless beneath land, their Water 6: Quantity Chapter other substance. other luting agroundwater or by reservoir saltwater found. alayerlate above through water the which is the off well owner’sto run land or to perco- well permitingly water the artesian from an of resource. waste the willful m property line the tocrosses adjoin property. one else’s a“slant” property or drill that well toboring land subside. ligent pumping of groundwater neigh- causes
aliciously to injure aneighbor or amount to landowner
may are
may pumping cannot
liable
not not
be
willfully
drill for
may
captured
damages
Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well a
not well
cause
result
on or
if
used or some- their
in
know
pol
neg - - - ▼ 32 tural, industrial, and/or industrial, tural, municipal uses. other categories of water including use, agricul- and for set fees restrictions can GCD The local district. the in water-rights procedures of category new use the owner would have to follow pay and fees the designation the would of change well; the the pump 25,000 more GPD. than Those actions ac connections or 25 residents not are required to 15 waterDomestic serve to that fewer wells than year-round. connections year-round or 25 at least residents potential 15 at to least serve residential service law. havewater These the well-based systems by statefederal and regulated water are systems Wells water provide for that community drinking Shared Wells c Even neighbors or others. groundwaterof effects the limiting pumping by Exempt reservoir.”of in water the any groundwater alternation of the character pollutionthe or harmful prevent to and groundwater not containingany reservoir to reservoir a groundwater from escape of groundwater the to prevent fittings and installation of casing, pipe, requiring rules district’s the conform to to so as tained equipped main- and “be (2) gated district” the by and promul- with rules dance “ (1) onservation districts cannot sell their water their sell or cannot onservation districts cording to Section 36.117, must still well the be registered in accor- be registered
if
a
household
well
is
exempted
well
owners
from
in permitting, DID YOUDID KNOW? earth’s has surface and groundwater.
the atmosphere, atmosphere, the the reservoirs of the reservoirs groundwater ocean, glaciers, glaciers, ocean, remained fairly fairly remained cycling among among cycling of water at the geologic time, time, geologic streams, lakes, streams, constant over over constant The amount The
Chapter 1: Program IntroductionChapter 6: Water Quantity
the
plug
that
Chapter Quantity 6: Water bacteria Open-borehole wells, Open-borehole
of
If the static water table eleva- table If the water static
fracturing:
39. Scale formation on screen. a well accumulation
igure deepening: res in the aquifer and the opening of the res in and of the the aquifer opening
(Source: Gary(Source: Hix) F po well screen. ion has dropped, you may be able to increase to be able may has you dropped, ion such as those in consolidated bedrock, may yield bedrock, yield as may such those in consolidated if In they this water are “fracked.” proce- more partsdure, the well are of sealed and the pressure is raised fracture to enough the in the borehole fractures of rock. Increasing the number around Options for Correcting Correcting for Options Wells Low-Yield know to need you well, a low-yield correct To and the type aquifer of the cause the problem of deepeningwell, the include options The involved. adding shock-chlorinating, fracturing, hydraulic the well. dry and redeveloping scrubbing, ice, Well the pump or the well deepened have by yield lowered. Hydraulic • The In extreme cases, effectscaleof the combined and 75 by well yield reduce hasslime to reported been Bacte- within a year well operation. percent of canrial also (bioslime) slime cause health serious 8). Chapter (see problems t 33 ▼
screen
well water
annually
and
for
and
well
tested
well and are exempt and are exempt
the be
expenses
supply Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
in the
of
water
water
scale shared
responsibilities
of the well
and tables
and
to
the
operation
fees
costs water
that the
access
development annual
ig. 39). Like the deposits often found on on found often Like the deposits 39). ig. aintenance istribution system istribution o make is safedrink it to sure household faucets, scale that is the hard residue household and the well screen. pipe of coats the inside (F t m d • The Low-Yielding Wells in problems to wells are susceptible Low-yield changes level When the water quality. water and cycle likely on to is more the pump often, aqui- oxygenthe into which introduces off, Minerals in that the aquifer arefer. exposed to If the the groundwater. oxygen can into dissolve contains arsenicaquifer minerals, instance, for arsenic. dissolved contain more may the water yield: Several can factors a well’s reduce • Lowered For an example of a shared well agreement an a shared well of example agreement For Hous- of Department the U.S. by recommended the agency’s visit Development, ing and Urban www.hud.gov. at website • Address • Require • Stipulate comply with drinkingcomply quality water standards or these wellsreporting are rules. known In Texas, shared wells domestic as private from regulation. a legal using enter a shared well should People agreement to: • Protect • Set Chapter 6: Water Quantity license.state.tx.us/LicenseSearch/. www. see your in area, installer driller/pump licensed find a well Chapter in 5. discussed well, To as to improve yield to is redevelop the Redevelopment: other slime, and materials. should bescrubbed to remove scale, to well, the open itallow access pumpIf activities maintenance bottlebrush. to alarge similar equipment with well the scrubs and pump interior any and plumbing, pump over rig well, the removes the a mobilizes pumplicensed installer procedure, screen. and ing a this In to interior the scrub of cas- well the buildup, most the efficient wayyield to is increase Scrubbing: pipes. the corrode water the can dioxide acidifying that is The systems. downsidewell carbon using of their to sanitize dioxide carbon gas pressurized to use Municipal beginning water are systems loosen some scale. of particulate the borehole the ice in bubblingthe dry may also some ofagitation The bacteria. the kills and of of scale carbonate-based the dissolveswhich part ice, water the becomes morefrom dry the acidic, dioxide carbon the bubblesinto As wells. the by yields well ice their droppingincreased dry Carbon it yourself. ofinstead trying water contractor well to shock-chlorinate well the improvebacteria and its yield. Hireaqualified beshock-chlorinated the slime can torial kill Shock yield. may and increase water-bearing fractures boreholethe to more may give access well the Water 6: Quantity Chapter
chlorination:
dioxide:
I n wells that have scale or have slime that scale n wells
A Some owners well have nother option option nother
A well plugged bacte-A well with Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well F igure U.S. DroughtMonitor for forecaststatements. Local conditionsmayvary. Seeaccompanyingtextsummary The DroughtMonitorfocusesonbroad-scaleconditions. Intensity: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ D4 Drought-Exceptional D3 Drought-Extreme D2 Drought-Severe D1 Drought-Moderate D0 Abnormally Dry 40. S Texas asevere in drought 2011. witnessed ▼ 34 Check • Listen • Monitor • help protect your adrought: during well ago. Take decades occurred stepsthat to these may beresponding quickly torecharge adrought someand low-yielding don’t aquifers that Water tables often drop severe during droughts, Drought allow itallow to rest. sounds of “sucking air,” pump the and off turn rate. pumping the pump the toAllow or, rest possible, if reduce drop-pipe the it if damage made of is PVC. heatthe generated by asubmersible pump can theburn outcan rapid cycling motor,This and oning off and the of pump over short periods. sign of lowered water tables rapid the is turn- you in is well the notice toilet the in sand tank, to produce may well begin the intake, If sand. water down table below drawn is pump the (e.g. agriculture,grasslands) S =Short-Term, typically<6months Drought ImpactTypes: (e.g. hydrology, ecology) L =Long-Term, typically>6months Delineates dominantimpacts SL SL
to for
your the S
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pump
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Released Thursday, October6, 2011 Author: RichTinker, CPC/NCEP/NWS/NOAA the S
for SL
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One One Chapter 1: Program IntroductionChapter 6: Water Quantity - - - Uni Exten
http://
Inc.
AgriLife
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Johnson,
A&M
E. Chapter Quantity 6: Water
Texas
Cooperative
Edward
2-02.
For tips on saving water in saving water on tips water: For
Arizona
Printing,
of
B-1612,
the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and laundry bathroom, room, the kitchen, see http://savetexaswater.tamu.edu/ outdoors, page3.html. Distribute heavy water use over the week to to the week heavy use over water Distribute andallow sustain individual recover wells to neighborhood. in your supply the water sion Service. Groundwater and Wells. 1972. Division, Johnson Second MN. Saint Paul, Co., versal Oil Products Uhlman, K. 2008. Arizona Ground in Arsenic Characteristics. Uni Source and Transport Water: versity cals.arizona.edu/rurallandscape/node/145. cals.arizona.edu/rurallandscape/node/145. References Groundwater Texas 2002. Managing G., Fipps, Resources through Groundwater Conservation Dis- tricts. • Conserve 35 ▼
capacity:
Park well for the Texas Land & Development Co. office in Plainview, Texas (circa Texas Land Plainview, in & Development office for well Co. Park the Texas Depending on on Depending
41. storage
igure Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 1910). F Water that appears Water
pump: As the water table As table the water
and
the
rate water:
tested:
milky
lowering water water
pumping
for
the
Work with Work owered pumping rates and rates increased stor- pumping owered se: u to neighbors your common schedule heavy or water example, use. For in a if everyone typi- neighborhood cally washes laun- dry Saturday, on the wells begin may go dryto Sunday. age capacity may protect your water supply equipment and groundwater resource. L drops and pulls air into the aquifer, the chem- and pullsdrops the aquifer, air into istry will the water of change. Sometimes oxygen causesexposing to the aquifer an water Send increase in arsenic concentrations. testing a lab regularly for to samples during of and after The concentrations a drought. materials andother contaminants also may change. milky first at clearsand then afterstanding can drawing be caused the pump by air and has level that dropped. indicate themay water the depth of the well, lowering the pump may may the pump lowering the well, of the depth with Check a licensed pump be anoption. installer. danger of going drydanger going of will and the pump likely be damaged. • Schedule • Reduce • Consider • Have • Watch 7: Water Quality Chapter 7: Water Quality
- or
supply, making
water when
Chapter 7: Water Quality Water 7: Chapter standards apply to
factors
(water.epa.gov/drink/con drinking
at
water many
another
website
find
drinking considers
EPA
the 42. of Title 40, Protection Regulations, of Federal Code EPA
Either
or
ave the water treated to remove the contaminant remove to treated the water ave igure hese determinations, including research including results, determinations, hese or reduce its level below the MCL. below level its reduce or primary a list of For contaminants, see Appendix B The taminants/index.cfm). taminants/index.cfm). the costs of treating the water, potential health potential the costs treating of the water, humanof effects,of the level exposure, extent the and the tech- contaminant in the environment, the detecting and for removing available nologies contaminant. drinking of categories standards water are Two set: primary and secondary. Primary substances that risks pose human to health. For theseeach substances, of the agency sets a maxi- the indicate to (MCL) contaminantmum level a lifetime. over dangers being exposed it to of contaminants that include not MCL doeslist The short-term or harm afterwould a person one-time consumption. any listed exceeds for well water If the your MCL be unhealthy consum- may contaminant, for it ers. h t the Environment. the F 37 ▼ and depositsand sediment. Water formation of the the of formation water in streams streams in water earth’s materials.earth’s Water shapes the the shapes Water DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU erodes, transports, landscape. Flowing the dissolution and and dissolution the participates in both Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply -
quality
the
Environmen
s water evaporates and condenses to to andcondenses evaporates s water a natural undergoes it rain snow, form or distillation that process “fresh creates sets
U.S.
tandards drinking for water (Fig. 42). The The 42). (Fig. water agency evaluates whether substances determine to be listed asthey contaminants should in the Primary Standards.National Drinking Water s tal Protection Agencytal Protection (EPA) The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that public Actrequirespublic SafeWater that DrinkingThe make to drinking be monitored supplies water is that safesure the water and meets federal drinking standards water (water.epa.gov/lawsregs/ that the any to entity sellsrulesregs/sdwa/); water these meet standards. must consumer water home Owners of also wells should have and tested their water the results compare against the federal standards. The Drinking Water Guidelines and Standards A water” to recharge aquifers and support stream recharge to and aquifers support water” is rainwater initiallyAlthough it pure is as flow. can interact- contaminated by it become formed, in theing air. withpollutants with the interacts envi- water form, liquid In its minerals dissolve sub- to and other ronment stances. can It transport then and pollutants creeks, lakes,microorganisms into and other bodies, as Becausewater the ground. well as into canwater and transport dissolve contaminants, or and quality groundwater of the composition surface can water time. change over Chapter 7: Water Quality million. per liter (mg/L), parts perligrams as known also concentrationsChemical reported are mil- in water. Table in contaminant any 1, consider the treating your SMCL If the water exceeds forto drink. bad before to likely taste is it becomes unhealthy water the indicate which that standards, ondary as sec- Copper fluoride as and well have primary it look, may taste, or smell bad. SMCL the exceeds without concern, ahealth but c EPA c Secondary Chapter 7: Water Quality T Appendix B for the Primary Drinking Water Drinking Standards) B the for Primary Appendix (See fluoride and copper for Standard Primary the and able ontaminants (Tableontaminants 1). You water that drink can onsiderations, color, taste, such as odor. and The Odor Manganese Iron Noncorrosive agents Foaming Fluoride Corrosivity Copper Color Chloride Aluminum Contaminant Zinc solids Total dissolved Sulfate Silver pH 1. National Secondary Drinking Water 1. Drinking Standards, National Secondary
has
set
standards secondary 3 threshold odor 0.05–0.2 mg/L 0.05–0.2 15 units color Secondary Secondary 0.05 mg/L 0.05 0.10 mg/L 0.10 Standard 500 mg/L 500 250 mg/L 250 250 mg/L 250 0.3 mg/L 0.3 0.5 mg/L 0.5 2.0 mg/L 1.0 mg/L 1.0
number 6.5–8.5 are set only set are for aesthetic 5 mg/L standards Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well
(SMCLs) MCL=4.0 mg/L MCL=4.0 MCL=1.3 mg/L MCL=1.3 Standard Primary Primary
for
15
▼ 38 Thenthetreatmentmatch theminer method to combination water the in supply. of minerals content, have it tested to determine specific the saline plants. your If ahigh waterlandscape has of crops growth stunt the and water can Saline values. TDS high sum), selenium, chloride sodium and have and levels of high boron, (gyp- tain sulfate calcium whenleft water the evaporated.con- They often concentratedcontain that areas were These salts basin. desert undrained of lowest the in an part areas barren dry, playas, are which inland large and Utah in Great the Lake to producedlike Salt sea the lakes could not that system discharge ancient drainage Province aquifers, an Range and Basin the In aquifers. Coast contributesand Gulf in values TDS to high water) Plains under lies most Coastal of Gulf the it evaporated ofbecause consists from minerals evaporite This deposit thick. a mile (sonamed evaporated, layers behind leaving of nearly salt hot of water the and Mexico Gulf the arid, in and very was ago,climate the about years million 200 Water content Texas salt in ahigh has because table salt. high-TDS water Texas in chloride, sodium is or most the common in because mineral of salinity TDSis referredoften as a measure to fixtures. ing or plumb- laundry but or stain it salty may taste to drink, dissolved unsafe solids not is necessarily total water mg/L 500 more with Drinking than sulfate. and cium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonate,nents boron, water in usually are cal- Dissolved compo- mg/L. a single value, typically total(TDS). dissolved solids as reported is TDS in water known is cations, anions—in and metals, Thesalts, level dissolvedof minerals—including Solids Dissolved Total - Chapter 7: Water Quality Soft Hard ic acid Very hard Slightly hard Slightly ’s milk ’s Classification Moderately hard , cow ydrouor , black coee, pure rain , black coee,
Chapter 7: Water Quality Water 7: Chapter ing water drouoric acid secreted by stomach lining re water Battery acid, strong h Hy gastric acid, vinegar juice, Lemon soda orange juice, Grapefruit juice, beer rain, tomato juice, Acid Soft drink saliva, egg yolks Urine, Pu Sea water Baking soda milk of magnesia, detergent Great Salt Lake, Ammonia solution, household cleaners Soapy water household lye oven cleaner, Bleaches, Liquid drain cleaner 60–120 17.1– 60 120–180 Over 180 Less than 17.1 than Less ACID BASE NEUTRAL or parts per million (ppm) Milligrams per (mg/L) Milligrams liter 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 10 11 12 13 14 pH scale Acidic or Alkaline Water: pH Alkaline or Acidic Water: or acidic how measure of is a of water pH The to alkaline acidic) a scale 0 (very is, on of the water A reading 7 of alkaline (very 43). basic; Fig. or 14 distilled of the pH water. represents (neutral) 39 ▼
43. A pH strip and pH scale. 2. hardness Water scale pH strip 3.5–7.0 Grains per gallon Less than 1.0 than Less 1.0–3.5 7.0 –10.5 Over 10.5 igure able T F Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply There are no primaryno are There or secondary standards hardness. water The for Research National Council states that drinking generally hard water a small toward amount contributes the total dietary calcium needs for and magnesium. of one reported using is hardnessThe of water three types grains measurements: gallon, per of parts or milligrams million per (Table liter, per 2). The groundwater from karstfrom limestone The groundwater isaquifers typically hard because of the calcium and magnesium dissolved rock. the consolidated from Hardness is a measurement of cal- of Hardness is a measurement min- and other magnesium, cium, requires Hard water erals in water. laundry for soap and washingmore and causes in scale dish- up build to washers, washing machines, water fixtures. and plumbing heaters, Hardness als in the water. If the water is used If the water als in the water. irrigating and landscapefor crops each mineral for tested it have plants, salt-tolerant the appropriate select to species. plant of water The mineral composition affectmay itsexample, For taste. 500 mg/L with a TDS of water com- salt (NaCl) posed primarily table of tastes and slightly salty, feels slippery, with the Water is called soft water. having roughly same but TDS value salt, gyp- table of equal proportions carbonate) and (calcium sum, calcite tastes less salty and feels less slippery hardness. water greater because its of Chapter 7: Water Quality water softeners. softeners. water water such as heaters and storage tanks warm in environments of slow-moving groundwater and plumbing. low-oxygen the in Bacteria thrive of other growth and the clogs bacteria and wells generatebacteria may also slime, promotes which the to hydrogen mineral gas; vert the sulfide con- pyrite, aquifersIn containing bacteria can plumbingblack. and silverware fixtures stain as 0.00047 ppm.maycorrode gas The as well pipes ble nose by human at the concentrations low as as colorless,Although hydrogenis percepti- sulfide rottenlike which eggs. smells gas, gen sulfide The matter maydecay of generateorganic hydro- water,the when like leaves tea brewed. are andcolor taste impart constituentsto These can or roots into growing leaves well. the such falling as matter,organic derived from it vegetation usually is but seldom groundwater. in water well If contains water oftenorganisms) found is that surface in or once-living living from derived (matter matter Water organic color by odor and natural caused are (Rotten Sulfide Hydrogen and Matter Organic lead, copper, water the zinc toxic. to and make dissolve enough of suchcan otheras minerals rockas acid drainage, known also process, This acid. centrations create sulfuric of can oxygen presence of pyrite, groundwater con- high with come contact in pyrite with (iron sulfide).the In water, form when water and can which oxygen have acidic very ground- aquifers can Coast Gulf problems. contributecan to pipe corrosion some and taste to aquifers. open Theand access pH waterof slowlyter can dissolve rock the to form caverns alimestoneIn aquifer, acidic slightly groundwa- Chapter 7: Water Quality
Egg
Odor)
Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well
▼ 40 Manganese • Iron • groundwater. bedissolved by can elements that of earth the coppercontaminants fluoride and arecommon silver, manganese, primary the and zinc, and aluminum,iron, contaminants The secondary and Manganese Dissolved Iron, Metals, and sulfur-reducing hydrogengas bacteria. sulfide Chapter 10 for water treatment options to remove anode, may but void change the warranty. the See azinc replace anode with magnesium the can tion, plumber alicensed To produc gas reduce water the likely heater. source the is faucets, cold-water not hot- but rottenthe odor egg from water.the you If detect in sulfate the with reacts magnesium The sium. anode made of- magne heater electric an with wateris a gas gen sulfide Another source of hydro • Iron • intensify the stains. the intensify remove Chlorine bleach may stains. even these s causes brownish black Manganese fixtures. ing black. s Very ant taste, odor,ant taste, color. and g c ome colloidal manganese may tint water the ome colloidal manganese tains on the same materials. Detergents on materials. same the do nottains alled colloidal iron, water the alled reddish. turn lassware, laundry,plumb and porcelain, sinks, lassware,
and causes small
manganese
particles
reddish usually
-
dissolves brown of
can
- iron
give
stains that
clear
water which water absorbs absorbs water which chemical properties. properties. chemical materials is essential essential is materials
DID YOUDID KNOW? and releases heat, heat, releases and Water has unique do reflects sunlight, sunlight, reflects
to life earth. on on dissolves other other dissolves The manner in The expands upon upon expands
freezing, and freezing, in physical and
not
an
concrete, water,
unpleas settle,
but
-
- Chapter 7: Water Quality groundwater. groundwater. is in the form the in of is glaciers and less less and glaciers the earth’s water water earth’s the than 1 percent of of 1 percent than water is stored as is water Fresh water is less less is water Fresh near the surface the near is DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU surface. Most fresh water at the earth’s earth’s the at water drinkable. About 99 percent of this water water this of percent than 3 percent of the the of 3 percent than Chapter 7: Water Quality Water 7: Chapter
Excessive
health.
uoride concentrations fl in drinking can water teeth. maxi- The discolor contaminantmum level mg/L. 4.0 is fluoride for Fluoride mineral that is a common is concen- Fluoride naturally dissolves materials;trated in it volcanic Texas, In confinedaquifers. of in groundwater in are the concentrations the highest fluoride Gulfof confinedthe aquifers CoastalPlains. containing An groundwater of extreme example naturally is in South occurring fluoride dissolved fossilof is out dissolving fluoride Carolina, where in anunconsoli- shark teeth deposited that were coastaldated aquifer. Although can it be harmful high at con- fluoride centrations, is essential strong for Manyteeth and bones. sup- water municipal systems fluoride add ply support to the water to dental upward and hardened into granite and into veins veins granite and into into and hardened upward and arsenic. The gold, silver, containing copper, and Uplift Llano also aquifers Central have Texas and arsenic. containingveins gold in specific in water Arsenic soluble becomes chemical certain and at forms levels pH water Any change in anand oxygencontents. aquifer’s arsenicchemistry its concen- raise may lower or trations. an oxygen example, can into For be introduced during drop elevations asaquifer groundwater In Arizona,drought. killed were livestock by afterarsenic poisoning the geochemistry the of Basin changed, Fill aquifer raising the arsenic in the water. concentrations 41 ▼ -
con and
iron
of
manganese
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply and/or
concentrations iron
high with
with
water
anganese contains often naturally occurring nappropriate levels of copper, fluoride, and fluoride, copper, of levels nappropriate I metalsother can harm human health (see Appendix B). centrations may be clear when it is drawn it from be clear may when centrations and settle particles form soon may but the tap, the water once the container of the bottom at is exposed air. to m manganese or iron feed bacteria. bacteria These a and the form mineralson in the groundwater (man- black brownish or (iron) reddish brown tanks in slime toilet ganese) and can water clog systems. Arsenic is found in nearly all physiographic prov- Arsenic all in nearly is found physiographic parts 20 above per Concentrations Texas. inces of in the Ogallala are found of Aquifer (ppb) billion the High Plains, the Gulf Coastal Plains, and the Basin and Range. Arsenic causes is a human It health concern: in the skin and circulatory and system, problems Consuming increase cancer. may the risk of it 10 of the MCL above with concentrations water can mg/L) and animals. harm people (0.010 ppb The in Ogallalaarsenic the originated Aquifer in the magma Rocky where Mountains, pushed Arsenic Besides TDS, there are naturallyBesides four TDS, there occurring contaminants exceed often that the primary most drinking standards groundwater. water in Texas and radionuclides, They fluoride, are arsenic, uranium. Naturally Occurring inContaminants Texas Groundwater
• Water • Well Chapter 7: Water Quality The MCL for gross beta activity is The pCi/L. 50 MCL for activity gross beta foil. aluminum sheet such as ofor metal athin P Gulf the including Ogallala, the MCL, the exceeding been found radiation to alpha contain particle sity of radioactivity). Texas Several aquifers have perries liter, ameasurement of (pCi/L, inten- the The alpha MCL forgrossradiation is 15 picocu- come into contact internalorgans. with then they or because ingested, inhaled if harmful sheet of paper However, or skin. the still are they bestopped can by they a particles; radioactive Beta Alpha Each rays. gamma and particles, beta alpha particles, radionuclidesAs decay, emit they radioactive water. levels drinking in to harmful accumulate radium, can and which uranium concern occurring Texas in naturally are lived possibly and more radioactive. particular Of (such to potassium argon) shorter as are that nuclides decay, produce they daughter products radio As aradionuclide. as known is particles elementAny by radioactive decays emitting that radioactive. slightly made of pottery clay—is and bricks soils, and plants, clay animals, potassium—including ing contain- everything that it true generally is erals, component asignificant is potassium min-clayof becomes element the eventually argon. Because slowlyvery of (half-life 1.25 billion years) but For isotope 40 example,potassium the decays tive decay) to form more stable atoms. spontaneouslyunstable and down break (radioac- atoms. Some inherently are atomic structures of release from the is energy within Radioactivity Uranium and Radionuclides Chapter 7: Water Quality lateau. lateau.
Coastal p type
articles p articles
of
particle Plains can bestopped can by apiece of wood are the least penetrating type of type penetrating least the are
aquifers,
affects
humans
Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well and
the
differently. Edwards -
▼ 42 Gamma O bilizing the element the bilizing shale. in water,from ocean the concentrating immo- and mudsof dissolved pulled uranium deep ocean formedwas where low-oxygen the environment presentis sandstones. and granite Black shale in Uranium acommon is gas. element and on earth Texas dissolved and radon dissolved are uranium The commonmost in sources radioactivity of seldom are they detected Texas in aquifers. lead concrete. or such as thick rials Fortunately, shielded best body are by and human dense mate - Coastal found scattered locations in across Gulf the Concentrations have 50 pCi/L been greater than F (circa 1910). (circa igure gallala, and the Basin and Range. and Basin the and gallala, Flowing artesian well in Dimmit County, well in Dimmit Flowing artesian Texas 44.
Plains
rays,
like x-rays, can pass through the the x-rays, through like pass can aquifers,
the
Edwards
Plateau,
the
Chapter 7: Water Quality Chapter 7: Water Quality Water 7: Chapter Notes 43 ▼ - esti
EPA
The
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply States.
United
U.S. Geological Survey Water Geological Survey U.S. Water the
in
Service.
cancer
ational Research Council. 1980. Drinking ational Research 1980. Council. mates that one in 15 U.S. homes contains high homes U.S. in 15 mates that one the gas of levels (www.epa.gov/rado/radontest. gas radon 300is for MCL pCi/L. The html). N 3, National Volume and Health, Water Academy DC. Washington, Press, Geochemistry Fluoride the of in Zack, A. L., 1980. Black Horry Creek System of and Aquifer George- Counties,town South Carolina—and Physiolog- its Implications. ical VA. Reston, 2067. Paper Supply References Hop- Hare, J. M. F. R. Melton, Lesikar, H. J., B. kins, 2006. Water and Drinking M. C. Dozier. AgriLife A&M Radionuclides.Problems: Texas Extension Uranium (half-life of 760 million years) is million years) 760 (half-life of Uranium andunstable eventually element, a new becomes which then years), 1,620 radium (half-life of days). 3.8 (half-life of radon thedecays element to radioactive high- and emits Radon is strongly odorless, energy particles. is alpha a colorless, It tasteless gas and that in dissolves groundwater through eventually migratemay upward the soil, dissipating into the atmosphere. gasIf radon is within trapped structure, a such of the concentration well house, or as a basement gasradon within structurethe closed exceed may health standards. leading cause the second of Radon is considered lung 8: Common Contaminants in Well Water Chapter 1: Program Chapter 8: Common Introduction Contaminants in Well Water - -
prop
designed
been
have
they
if
Even
Chapter 8: Common Water Contaminants Well in 45).
itrogen risk is for methemoglobinemia, or “blue “blue or methemoglobinemia, risk is for itrogen ffects (those resulting from ingestion of a con resulting (those ingestion from ffects baby syndrome,” in which the blood cannot carryin which the blood syndrome,” baby the individual oxygen to cellsenough in the body. have been applied and in areas applied been thathave are served by wells. systemsindividual and septic domestic munici- include nitrate sources of possible Other pal waste and animal waste. In rural areas, nitrate discharged systems,is commonly septic from surfacewhich can and groundwater water pollute (Fig. maximumThe nitrate- for level contaminant mg/L health acute because its is 10 of nitrogen e nitrate- specific The period). taminant a short over n erly and are operating efficiently, traditional sep- traditional and are efficiently, operating erly tank/draintic systems field can discharge enough exceed to drinkingnitrate standards. water as are reported in water concentrations Nitrate mg/L of Ten total nitrate. or nitrate-nitrogen is equal 44.3 mg/L to nitrate. nitrate-nitrogen 45 ▼ -
EPA.
the
by
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply recommended
is
than
urvey found that more than urvey that more percent 20 found f the private household wells con- tested household f the private r S o Common sources of groundwater contaminants in household well water. of Common groundwater sources household contaminants in water. well Geological the U.S. by study ecent
45. greater
igure s nitrate. Because nitrate is colorless, odorless, and odorless, Because is colorless, s nitrate. nitrate tained one or more contaminants a concentra- at more or tained one tion inor- oftenwere most The contaminantsfound ganic as and occurred such arsenic naturally, and human-made contami- most common The radon. unsafe con- at nant Microbial was levels nitrate. taminants in detected as many were as one-third wells. the sampled of F tasteless, it is undetectable without testing. without istasteless, undetectable it in areas be a concern may contamination Nitrate agricultural of amounts excessive where fertilizers As in the rest of the nation, the most common pol common the most As the nation, in the rest of Nitrate lutant derived from manufactured from derived sources in Texas lutant i A Chapter 8: Common Contaminants in Well Water F Viruses • include: groundwater concern in of particular Organisms wellheads. improperly septic and lines, systems, protected sewer from originate can These pathogens leaking waste). matter (human nated fecal with detectedwater, in are isms it may becontami- i Entericgens. patho as known are organisms Disease-causing groundwater. water supplies depend by that drinking caused on documented United the in are year States every of waterborne the outbreaksAbout half disease PathogensBacteria and soils. arid in low ties, concentrations naturally of occur it can activi by human caused groundwater usually are concentrations high Although of nitrate in in Well Contaminants Water Common 8: Chapter be presentbe in groundwater. may thatcontaminants indicate other can also and health Bacteria • n groundwater. other and these specific If organ- igure and Shigella Vibriobacter, Aeromonas, and cholerae, Campylobacter,monella, Pseudomonas, Helico A , and norovirus and , E. coli such human as compromise E. can Bacteria 46.
such
such
(intestinal)
as
as
adenoviruses,
E. coli 0157:H7E. (Fig. 46), Sal
pathogens Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well
rotavirus,
are
common
hepatitis - - - -
▼ 46 The • lakes. lakes. freshwater warm in water while skiing infected or Some diving. peoplewhen swimming have been as groundwater, such or untreated freshwater warm when people occur in immersed can are Infections cord, tissue. spinal and destroys brain and nose, the travels to bodythe brain through the Centers forControl, Disease amoebaenters the groundwater. use that to U.S. the According water systems domestic other and wells drinking amoebaThe fowleri Naegleria cramping. gastroenteritis, dehydration, severe and diarrhea, acute pain, abdominal suffer can organisms People who consume water these containing on the bacteria in wells and water storage tanks. wateron and wells bacteria the storage in tanks. o ter of temperatures some Texas. in parts Bacteriaand to lubricateused groundwa pumps high the in and 47). developafter biodegradablecan are Biofilms oils enough nutrients, (Fig. nitrate, such for as survival Somecontain that bacteria form in biofilms wells water. contaminated a result of drinking only byoccur immersion water the in not and as springs across South the Southwest, and infections it South.the found hot is Although and wells in itclimates, more is toacross states likely bein Naegleria Because the Unitedthe States found about that one-third of waterA study of utilities across public drinking bacteria. environment can than thought are toand beable longer to survive the in into aquifer the farther betransported can viruses tiny, are bacteria orare they protozoans. Because considered more to of groundwater athreat than people (Fig. make sick, 48) viruses can often are of above-mentioned the all Although organisms • Naegleria, Naegleria, such as ther organisms, Protozoans
recently
such
reported is commonly is found warmer in
as
Cryptosporidium
amoeba has been found has in
Naegleria fowleri Naegleria may feed may and Giardia and
- Chapter 1: Program Chapter 8: Common Introduction Contaminants in Well Water
- - - Envi gasoline (aban
to on
sites
added
was
Superfund Commission
EPA
(MTBE) Texas
the
ether Many
with
shops.
Chapter 8: Common Water Contaminants Well in asoline additive, and it was later tied to respiratory respiratory was tied to and later it asoline additive, o boost octane, replace the toxic metal octane,o boost and the toxic lead, replace was a broken switch in one of the neighborhood’s the neighborhood’s of switch in one was a broken wells. water problems. doned toxic waste dumps) were first discovered first were discovered waste dumps) toxic doned that their noticed well owners because domestic had an well taste water unusual odd or household odor. mov- fluid one of cases, (columns In some plumes contamina- groundwater of ing through another) their original miles extend beyond source. tion The contaminant with is distancediluted as the mixes dissipates, with uncontaminated plume gradient. down and moves water, are www.epa.gov/super listed at Superfund sites consider neighborhood, is in your If a site fund/. checking t as cal a fully tested was being approved not before g In the late 1970s, the gasoline additive methyl methyl the gasoline additive 1970s, In the late tertiary-butyl this chemi Unfortunately, airreduce pollution. In a new subdivision in New York, a group of of a group in York, New In subdivision a new wells contaminants was for domestic tested private a nearby about expressed concern after residents landfill. Allwellsquality the failed water tests was in found industrial a dissolved solvent when the water. contaminant is a common Because the solvent an inextensive landfills, conducted authorities link the no landfill to but be investigation, could turnedof contamination the source The found. in pipes PVC used glue to be the solvent to out the wells and plumbing. Contaminants can the environ- be released into chemical by gas plants, landfills, stations, ment and activities, mining facilities, manufacturing repair your about Qualityronmental information for risks and its contamination. of supply water 47 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
contaminants. These pollut- 48. Viruses can water well in cause illness. human 47. Biofilms form fromslime bacteria that feed on anthropogenic igure igure iron, manganese, and/or nitrate. nitrate. iron,manganese, and/or Water contaminants can very to close be found Water after example, a tank For aquarium fish of home. died in Arizona, the cause was traced mercury to mercuryof singlesource The supply. in the water Produced by People into chemicalsThe been introduced that have human by activity are known the environment as the groundwater-based systems viruses contained the groundwater-based that cause diseases in people. Contaminants F F ants include chemicals made by industry, those chemicals industry, by made ants include road- the and oils greaseoff from flushed derived landscape crops, to ways, and chemicals applied areas, and yards. Chapter 8: Common Contaminants in Well Water mine whether it may becontaminated. rely solely on water’s the smell to or deter- taste presencethe of contamination. However, do not toSometimes odor us the alert of water well can contaminate aquifers. percolate chemicals the soils rapidlyand through because degreasers septic ban states tank Many well. nearby sources must bemanaged taminant properly,built maintained and potential and con- To protect groundwater, must be wellhead the oil, grease. and fertilizers, stored septic and systems, pesticides, pens, failing The commonmost arelivestock, sources dog pollution most wellhead. the is to likely benear For adomestic well, source the of groundwater use. its to eliminate reduce eventually taken being and b tanks from underground leaked having gasoline after groundwater many contaminated has supplies soluble stable and (it biodegrades slowly). very It beensince foundhas Thechemical to be very F in Well Contaminants Water Common 8: Chapter groundwater contamination. contamination. groundwater igure anned in many states, and additional actions are additional and actions states, are many in anned Leaking underground gasoline storage tanks are a common source are acommon of tanks storage gasoline underground Leaking 49.
(Fig.
49).
MTBE
is
now Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well
banned
or
partially
▼ 48 your water supply. water your to befound in unlikely are contaminants these chlorine or water, well the bleach to disinfect chlorine.treated with However, you add unless be removed from public water supplies are that water. in materials contaminants must These come contact in dissolved chemicals with organic form that when water disinfection taminants Disinfection by-products con- chemical are drugs. therapeutic veterinary and and screens, sun vitamins, agents, fragrances, products care includesonal diagnostic cosmetics, According to septic transferred and leach fields.bodies may beflushedthrough human Pharmaceuticals the endocrine systems living organisms. of affect products, care somepersonal of may which and concern increasing Of pharmaceuticals are Teflon,andGore-Tex. Scotchgard, from productssoaps, chemicals and containing antibiotics in used household fire retardants, cal per trillion) of per billion chemi- parts and (parts water in concentrationsnants include small very
to
the
EPA, Newer findings contami-Newerof findings end up groundwater. in werethat not to expected chemicals household mon presence the ofreveal com mayThe methods new concentrations. small very enable at to measure us new techniques that cals include these nants, chemi emerging contami Called watercommunity systems. may in need to beregulated e The C Emerging
valuating substances that that substances valuating pharmaceuticals ontaminants
EPA
is
continually
and
per
- - - - Chapter 1: Program Chapter 8: Common Introduction Contaminants in Well Water summary of Chapter 8: Common Water Contaminants Well in Private Domestic Wells.” National Ground Water Water Ground National Wells.” Domestic Private Journal Well Water Association, 2008-5227 report investigation Scientific USGS Principal from in Quality Domestic Wells Water of States, 1991–2004 the United of Aquifers Sakar.Payal, 2008. Occurrence and Inactivation the Environment.in Ph.D. Emergingof Pathogens AZ Arizona, of Tucson, University Dissertation. 49 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 95(9):107–120. Notes DeSimone, L. A., P. A. Hamilton, and A. R. Hamilton, J. L. P. A., DeSimone, from Water “Quality Ground of 2009. Gilliom. References Abbaszadegan, M. LeChevallier, and C. M., P. Viruses of in U.S. “Occurrence 2003. Gerba. Water the American Journal of Groundwater.” Association.Works 9: Water Quality Testing Chapter 1: Program Chapter 9: Water Quality Introduction Testing
it
-
a
have
first
experienced
tests,
have
water
the Chapter 9: Water Quality Testing Water 9: Chapter
drink
EPA-recommended
all who
for
hange in health, especially stomach-related illhange in health, especially stomach-related f the well water is cloudy or smelly, or tastes or smelly, or is cloudy f the well water c I nesses. bad, it probably does not conform to drinking to conform does not probably it bad, qualitywater standards. hecked only for the contaminants for that only arehecked most
• People Water QualityWater Schedule Testing Because can analyze to it cost $4,000 more or water c a 3 provides Table well water. be inlikely your to test- tests of and frequency recommended list of ing. a new when Initial be conducted tests should may well is installed. institutions lending Some autho- before be tested to the well water require the tests be limited may rizing however, a loan; a whether determine not and bacteria would to be installed. system should treatment water water poor to Appendix C lists related symptoms causes. tests, and possible quality, 51 ▼
of
odor
2 or
maintenance
taste,
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply color,
undergone contaminated.
in
be
has
Turbidity (cloudiness, particulates) (cloudiness, Turbidity and taste odor, Color, Health guests) changes gastrointestinal problems (recurring children and/or in may For baselineFor quality water testing, analyze for arsenic, chloride, fluoride, hardness,iron, manganese, pH,nitrate, radionuclides, sodium, total coliform sulfate, bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS), and uranium. In aquifers with elevated TDS, adding consider boron and selenium the baseline to testing. monitoring trends provide could TDS for annually helpful any information. Look for and changes note in: Action well
change it
a or
ecause no federal, state, or local or ecause state, entity federal, no ensures the safety wellwater, private of falls it to monitoring for the responsibility suspect notice pump
1
3. Recommended 3. testing schedule for well water he water. ecently. r t You Annual testing may not be needed for these chemicals because they usually occur naturally and their concentrations do not change over time. Consider repeating one or more of the initial tests after reviewing Appendix C to identify possible sources of these problems. AnnuallyMonthly for total coliform bacteria Although Test and nitrate. not TDS is expected change an aquifer, in to 1 2 Frequency Initial able T • The the well owner. Compared to people who con- who people to Compared the well owner. well owners private drinking public sume water, be exposed likely unsafe to to are more drinking water. quality out willthe of water find the to need You the about information Some aquifer. in your public be readily may from available water aquifer They companies. required andutilities are water chemistry water report federal to law by and state a copy utility the for water Contact consumers. to about information quality the for water report of local quality water issues. exempt quality on water information However, available made or recorded wells is not household agencythrough unless any public the well owner has permission. given whenever: tested water your Have
• You B • Chapter 9: Water Quality Testing 150 but it considerably is mg/L, to 400 in higher from TDSThe groundwaterranges of usually magnesium. and calcium, sium, oflated dissolved the sodium, with salts potas- naturally. most is TDS occur often corre-that some contains groundwater solids typically All appropriate the uses tory method. standard labora- the that beassured method,ing you will Tablein 4. By recommended the stipulating test- or oil developmentgas for wells constituents the natural Consider near are water that testing wells development.related to oil gas and whether to establish it constituentsalso contains water screened for non-refined hydrocarbons teria, nitrate, dissolved total solids, and have the for additionIn testing coliform bac- to annual operation conducted. is beforepresent hydraulic any fracturing naturally concentrations may be of contaminants these from deep reservoirs underground.surface Trace may have up seeped gas toward the natural and amounts of petroleum small constituentsAlso, geologic normal in processes. naturally occur that contaminants containalready The aquifermay detected andverified. be its current can quality, changes any so that of water the to chemistry establish baseline the waterwell situations, these tested.In measure consider your in area, your having occurring exploration oilIf or gas development and are Chapter 9: Water Testing Quality T ment develop- and exploration gas and oil of areas in wells able (TDS) Total solids dissolved methane Dissolved hydrocarbons (TPH) hydrocarbons Total petroleum Constituent 4. Recommended baseline testing for domestic TX-1005 or 1006 or TX-1005 RSK-175 or 176 or RSK-175 Laboratory Laboratory SM 2540C method Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well Estimated Estimated $60.00 $20.00 $75.00 cost
▼ 52 se directed to the local groundwater to local the directed conservation plumber. Water questions be may quality also driller, well licensed pumpa local installer, or ask professional, treatment To a water find nelac-institute.org/accred-labs.php. Accreditationtory Conference Institute at www. certified department or select from of alist laboratories contact your health county Tolaboratory, a find 800.426.4791. at Water Drinking the Time. Hotline Call Central q The for tests. additional water quality calls water in color, change Any odor, also or taste a water treatment professional investigate further. have the test, baseline since significantly changed has water the If baseline. quality the against opment activity, retest water the to compare it or oil/gas any devel- hydraulic fracturing After recommended.as treatment professional testing order and further consult test, found awaterare baseline the in constituents these If beds. coal with associated oil- gas-producing and zone. may be Methane an aquifer the near is if be present naturally notare to groundwater, bein expected may they hydrocarbons and dissolved methane Although ment. or may not—be by develop- oil or caused gas groundwatersuggests contamination may— that of is from TDS itin concern baseline because water or oil exploration.ocean with change Any water with may brines beassociated and that For example, bromide common is to brackish minerals. dissolved to pinpoint water well the test again specific the value water from some Texas baseline aquifers. the If uality on from weekdays 7:30uality a.m. to 3:30 p.m. condary drinking water standard of 500 mg/L, of mg/L, water 500 standard drinking condary
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Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply
the water hasthe water passed If the test indicates a water If the test indicates a water the purge quality problem, system. well and plumbing the sample from Run water until all spigot collection standing has water been is coming water flushed and after through the existing storage, and plumbing treatment, systems. is safe If the water drinking,for the tests repeat annually. which allowed phases—solid, coexisted its at surface three in and continuous evolution of life. life. of evolution the solarthe system in that water has has water that in liquid, and gas— Earth in unique is the development development the For an existing the faucetFor from test the water well, drinkingwhere is This obtained. water sample the quality thewill drinking of represent water How to Sample Well a Drinking Water When wellnew a is installed, the local health willdepartment the water that of samples require bacteria. Collect of the presence for be tested connecting the the wellhead at before samples drillers Most plumbing. household wellnew to install near the wellhead facili- to spigot a tap or sampling. tate district (see Chapter 6) and the Texas Ground- 6) and the Texas Chapter district (see water Protection Program website at www.tceq. texas.gov/groundwater/prot_prog.html. directly from the aquifer. For a typical For domestic directly the aquifer. from purging canwell, first be achieved by washing the watering two laundry or of loads and/or one andletting then garden, leastthe faucet runat for taking before minutes the sample. 10 After the wellhead purging, at collect a sample any existing enters the water before a point at or Compare tested. it and system, have treatment the initialthe results of faucet analysis those to DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU for billions of years, years, of for billions Chapter 9: Water Quality Testing The • The • They • limitations: i Compared zero.more than MCL the beof if is limited use result, will which may provideOther kits only anegative or positive probablyexactly, will results the beincorrect. to-follow steps. you If do not follow directions the kits The providecomplete andeasy- instructions (Fig. 50). onof color based the acontaminant intensity provide level color to indicate estimated the scales either apaper strip or aliquid solution; kits these available. Use one relies on that in color changes of disposable are waterkits testing types Many Water Testing Kits Doing Your Testing: Own F Chapter 9: Water Testing Quality contaminant. concentration the a of to determine strip atest on change The • n certified laboratories,kits have several n certified testing igure e a pproved method. pproved xceed drinking water standards. drinking xceed Home water-testing kits typically rely on a color acolor on rely typically water-testing Home kits 50.
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Chapter 1: Program Chapter 9: Water Quality Introduction Testing Chapter 9: Water Quality Testing Water 9: Chapter 55 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Notes 10: Water Treatment Options Chapter 1: Program Chapter 10: Water Treatment Introduction Options
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53. A simple filtration igure system. F contaminants.
- - ron-based media that filter water water media that filter ron-based Chapter 10: Water Treatment Options Treatment Water 10: Chapter with i arsenic,and and absorb activated carbonorganic filters that capture chemicals. contaminants cannotSome be For well water. from filtered of with highwater concentrations andbacteria viruses, use chemical distillation.disinfection or Other contaminants can be removed with reactive media,only which materials thatare other resins or chemically as react with the water passes it through the filter. 1,000 Beach sand vergrown with vergrown lone or prior to Cryptosporidium. can react to be made Filters other water treatment devices installed treatment water other in sequence. to large filter intended not filters are Home larger filtration however, water; of amounts systems—usually systems those or whole-house nearlocated a wellhead—can sediments remove and particulates. some remove be to may used Microfiltration and Giardiabacteria largesuch pathogens Particle and Microfiltration small process a is removes filtration that Particle particles—ranging suspended of amounts in size made Filters well clay—from water. sand to from are Filters 52). (Fig. fiber common are sand or of particle specific sizes. remove to made the keep To becom from filter ing clogged or o back- bacteria, replace or the flush media as as often manufacturer the recommends. Fil cantration be used a 100 57 ▼ Pollens 10 rticle ltration Giardia Pa yptosporidium a - Cr teri 1.0 Bac identi
Micro ltration 0.1 have Colloids
Viruses Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Ultra ltration 0.01 treats water as it enters a enters astreats water it
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A filtration guide showing the appropriate filter processes processes filter appropriate the 52.showing guide filtration A point-of whole-house
Filter aucet or the location where drinking where is the location water or aucet process Micron of water most often obtained. often most system. plumbing home f Size range Filter application guide Filter constituents igure according to the particulate to according (Modified size of the contaminant. water from U.S. Quality Bureau of Reclamation, Water Center). Improvement F • A system, than treatment are usingIf more you one install thelarger particles that removes the one as the such of sand ahead and grit in sequence that as such treats the smallerone constituents salts and viruses 52). (Fig. • A A fied five methods to reduce water contaminants water reduce methods to five fied ion filtration, distillation, disinfection, efficiently: exchange, osmosis. and reverse systems are categorized treatment accord- Water they are installed where ing to much and how water they can treat: amount of water and its degree of contamina- degree of and its water of amount assistance get professional to need may you tion, in selecting and installing treatment well water by incom- cansystems. selection The be hindered costs, about misleading or information plete quality. and water options, treatment Experts Chapter 10: Water Treatment Options
These filters do not reduce inorganic ions such as calcium, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, or sodium. They also will not disinfect or soften (remove hardness) the water.
Although whole-house activated carbon filters can treat large amounts of water, they usually must be installed and maintained by profession- als. If the well water is cloudy, install a particle filter in sequence before the activated carbon filter to remove particles that could plug or reduce the Figure 54. An activated carbon point-of-use treatment efficiency of the activated carbon filter. installed on a faucet; the carbon media is shown in the photo insert. If you do not replace the carbon regularly, micro- bial growth can clog the media and affect the water quality. Always follow the manufacturer’s Activated Carbon Filter instructions and replace the carbon regularly. Activated carbon filtration, a form of ultrafiltra- tion with a reactive media, is often used as a point Reverse Osmosis of use treatment (Fig. 54) Activated carbon con- Reverse osmosis (RO) is becoming a common sists of particles of coal or charcoal that react with home treatment method for reducing arsenic and chemicals passing over its surface. total dissolved solids in drinking water (Fig. 55). The carbon material is processed to increase its Best known for its use in water desalinization porosity; after processing, just 10 grams of activated projects, this method can also reduce chemical carbon has a surface area equal to a football field. contaminants associated with unwanted color and taste. It may reduce up to 80 percent of pollutants Activated carbon filters can remove low concen- such as arsenic and uranium, and many types of trations of organic chemicals, such as pesticides organic chemicals. and solvents, from drinking water as well as improve its taste and odor. Many chemicals and some dissolved metals will bind to the surface of carbon. Acti- vated carbon may also reduce copper, lead, mercury, and radon gas. Chapter 10: Water Treatment Treatment Water Chapter 10: Options Figure 55. A home reverse-osmosis system.
▼58 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Chapter 10: Water Treatment Introduction Options e lv Brink tank Salt Float and va assembly lve assembly lve (soft) house Timer and va Timer to ter Wa Chapter 10: Water Treatment Options Treatment Water 10: Chapter Exchange:
ter supply A water softener. 56. water A ater Softening Well wa Well (hard) Drain Outlet manifold Ion exchange resin beads igure Hard water becomes “soft” after the calcium “soft” becomes Hard water potassium sodium or with either is replaced varying also may softeners remove salt. Water as such pollutants inorganic other of amounts remove they not do metals.dissolved However, particles, organic chemicals, pathogens, radon or best gas.particulateis if water work Theythe free (filtered). especially has if it high usesoft water, not Do garden veg- houseplants, water to sodium levels, salinity tolerate yard that not plants or do etables, Ion exchange units are Ion reactive media filters that calcium in water. replace and magnesium ions These units are also softeners known as water 56). (Fig. properly to prevent indoor air contamination. indoor prevent to properly distillation units usehome carbon activated Some duringVOCs distillation. remove to filters Because distilledhas minerals, tastes water no it people. slightlyor some to flat sweet W F 59 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Distillation removes inorganic contaminants such Distillation removes as It minerals metals and dissolved water. from most microorganisms,kills including removes or Althoughpathogens. distillation can also remove on the effectivenessdepends its organic matter, chemical characteristics the contaminant. of such organic chemicals (VOCs) Beware: Volatile before be removed should as and benzene solvents the distillation otherwise, process; they may and re-contaminate withvaporize along the water the water. distillation Some units initially may some purge these units steam chemicals. and volatile Vent Distillation Reverse osmosis does not remove dissolved gases dissolved remove not does Reverse osmosis and pesticides, volatile some assuch radon, organic chemicals as such degreasersand sol- with the Check manufacturer determine vents. to which contaminants that a specific targetsunit the contaminant that of it and percentage what removes. is the large treatment RO drawback of One produces. it water) (salty brine of amount the of the initial on Depending concentration the total than of more 60 percent water, source system the treatment entering water of amount is discarded as waste. This may brine wastewater system in the soils and alter a septic overwhelm The underground may seep the field. salts leach the groundwater. enter and possibly patho- for recommended is not Reverse osmosis work to RO For (particles). sediments gens or par- by pretreated first be should best, the water chlori- activated carbon filtration, filtration, ticle softening. water even or adjustment, pH nation, As with all be must systems, filter the filter recom- changed the according manufacturer’s to growth microbial will or schedule, clog mended the system quality. and impair water Chapter 10: Water Treatment Options
well. Soft water may not be suitable for drinking Private domestic water can be chlorinated by because it tastes salty and contains higher levels chlorine pumps, solid feed units, and batch dis- of sodium. To counter this problem, newer water- infectors. Chlorination treatment systems should softening units exchange calcium with potassium. be installed by a professional to ensure that they have been designed properly. The chlorine-injec- Replacing hardness with salinity will extend the tion device should operate only while the water is life of household appliances and hot water heat- being pumped, and the pump should switch off ers, but the increased salinity may damage the if the chlorinator fails or if the chlorine supply is soils in a septic leach field. depleted.
Note: The chlorination process forms disinfec- Disinfection tion by-products, such as chloroform, by mix- ing chlorine with other constituents in the well To make water safe to drink, pathogens must be water. Some of these chemicals are health hazards either filtered out of the water or killed (inacti- (Appendix B). For this reason, many municipal vated). Except for distillation, the filtration meth- drinking water providers are switching from chlo- ods discussed above are not suitable for continu- rination to other disinfection treatment systems. ous removal of bacteria. Well owners chlorinating their water should have As a rule, water is disinfected by chemicals such it tested for excessive levels of disinfection by- as chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Disin- products in the treated water. fection does not remove inorganic contaminants from water, but it may react with them and form by-products that may be of concern, such as Boiling chloroform. Boiling water vigorously for 2 minutes kills all A UV radiation unit consists of a clear glass tube organisms in water; chlorination only reduces surrounded by UV lights. The radiation inac- them to safe levels. But because boiling also tivates the bacteria and pathogens as the water concentrates minerals and salts, it should be used passes through the tube. If the water is cloudy, only as an emergency measure. Also, the boiled the unit will not work efficiently; for this reason, water must be protected from re-contamination a UV treatment system should be installed after as it cools. the particulates have been filtered from the water.
Continuous Chlorination Emergency Disinfection Only under emergency situations should house- of Domestic Wells hold chemicals such as bleach or iodine be used to disinfect water without the appropriate equip- Chlorine kills pathogens when it has enough con- ment or technical supervision. The EPA explains tact time, which is the amount of time that the how to use these chemicals safely at water.epa. water is mixed with chlorine. City water systems gov/drink/emerprep/emergencydisinfection.cfm add extra chlorine to drinking water to ensure adequate contact time while the water is flowing through the pipes. This additional chemical is what makes treated water smell of chlorine. Chapter 10: Water Treatment Treatment Water Chapter 10: Options
▼60 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Chapter 10: Water Treatment Introduction Options Chapter 10: Water Treatment Options Treatment Water 10: Chapter 61 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Notes 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality ChapterChapter 1: Program 11: Protecting Your IntroductionWell Water Quality -
- - treat
main
failure,
and
well
shock-chlori
pump
any
well or
storage,
the after
casing water
have
well bacteria
for any found,
plumbing,
are
water
your suspect
the Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality Water Well Your Protecting 11: Chapter
you bacteria
ave a registered well driller or pump installer well driller pump a registered or ave ump or drop pipe is laid on the ground during the ground is laid on pipe drop or ump hlorination, well cleaning, andhlorination, well and pump lime, or discolored filtering media,it could filtering discolored lime, or ment systems every month. If you see any algae, systems If you every ment month. s tenance. Bacteria can be introduced when the tenance. Bacteria can when be introduced p h wells, especiallyinspect the system. Older those can and steel, corrode or iron black of made break. Shock physically scrubbed. interior and its nated c indicate thatindicate the system is contaminated with will and then be scrubbed It to need bioslime. and the filtering rinsed bleach, with chlorine media will be replaced. to need maintenance. The bacteria can then grow into bacteria maintenance. The can into grow then the well. inside bioslime mats of • Test • Check • If • If 63 ▼
seep
failure
can
well maintained
septic
or the
or water
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply near
fields
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where
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ell water canell water be contaminated by thanother natural 57), sources (Fig. most commonly: land
the wellhead,
septic
other the
57. The of drinking sources contaminants often are water near the include wellhead septic and may leach fields, and/ nto the well nto At i igure • or land use activities. F Although well drillers registered and pump installers contaminants are trained prevent to still sometimes bacteria a well, entering from main- routine during well or construction enter reduce or prevent these to steps tenance. Follow inbacteria the water: Well Installation Well • When • From • By Maintenance and W Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality
maintenance are best conducted by a profes- sional well driller or pump installer.
• If you notice an oily sheen or odor, have the water tested for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Pump maintenance may introduce oils and grease into the well that can foul the well water or provide a source of nutrition for natu- rally occurring soil bacteria.
• If there is any evidence of flooding, have the well water tested for bacteria. Figure 59. The slab around this well is not sufficient to prevent surface contaminants from entering the aquifer. (Source: Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, Bruce Lesikar • Make sure that all faucets with hose connections and Justin Mechell, 2010.) are equipped with anti-backflow devices such as check valves. If your well was installed by a licensed well driller after 1983, it complies with Texas regulations on Wellhead Protection wellhead construction. As discussed in Chapter Because each well provides a direct route to the 5, the well protective casing should be at least 1 aquifer, you will need to take special precautions foot above the ground and be surrounded by a to protect the wellhead (Fig. 58). Once ground- 4-inch-thick concrete pad for at least 2 feet in all water is contaminated, it is very difficult to horizontal directions. restore, and most remediation options are costly. This configuration protects the well from flood- ing or ponded water; it reduces the potential for contaminants to seep down into the aquifer around the well casing (Fig. 59).
Chemicals pose serious threats to groundwater quality, and some can cause serious illness or death if consumed. Chemicals that do not read- ily mix with water are called non-aqueous phase liquids, or NAPLs.
NAPLs may be light or dense:
• Light NAPLs (LNAPLs) will float on the water table, like oil floats over vinegar in some salad dressings. Examples of LNAPLs are petroleum- based fuels such as gasoline and diesel. These fuels will pool on the water table and release chemicals such as benzene into the groundwater.
Figure 58. Well construction standards are administered • Dense NAPLs (DNAPLs) are heavier than by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration to protect the aquifer and well from surface water ponding water. Typical DNAPLs are degreasers and around the well head. solvents. They are extremely difficult to remedi-
▼64 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply ChapterChapter 1: Program 11: Protecting Your IntroductionWell Water Quality
- - -
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hould repair casinghould breakage. a downslope of the wellhead, and of downslope direct stormwater runoff away the wellhead. from Runoff from pens and pas holding livestock of the wellhead. Pet waste from the wellhead.of Pet runsdog and yards can con taminate groundwater repair and maintain the well a licensed pad; contractor head s 1 Build pressure tankspressure with fertil empty bags other izer pesticide or or m contaminants. tures can contaminate ground with and bacteria, nitrates, water v m age, disturbance soil burrow by ing animals,of flooding the or w is
• • Locate • Inspect Following these guide- additional Following types other lines will prevent help the wellhead at contamination of 60): (Fig. interize w
wellhead
ot Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality Water Well Your Protecting 11: Chapter n -
backflow-prevention the
o not store contaminants as such fuels store pesti or o not n hoses, reduce the potential for backflow for the potential reduce n hoses, glass Do when mixingwhen tank“nurse” chemicals. fill First a tank) storage use then with well water; (mobile fillaway from to that water chemicalthe sprayer the wellhead. If cides in it. cides o d t y, ) t • • If • ts rtilizer storage tank 65 ▼ - liquid-tigh - aso lined tank, concrete floor and drain 8,000 gallons/day g • Septic tank • Animal shelter or yard storage facilit • Feed • Manure hopper or reception • Filter strip • Silo without pit, but with • Soil absorption unit (less than
fabricated, liquid-tigh e, • Pesticide or fe (less than 1,500 gallons, nonpotable walls only) • Cistern • Nonpotable well tur wellhead. tore
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Manure storage struc • Gasoline and other liquid petroleum produc • • Surface (more than 1,500 gallons) • Fuel oil tanks • • Surface (more than 1,500 gallons) • • Pesticide or fe ft inse r
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250 line within 150 feet of a well. feet of withinline 150 cal in groundwater. degreasers and solvents ate and can contaminate the water permanently. and canate permanently. the contaminate water Several cancers and childhood leukemia have linkedbeen chemi parts to of levels billion per Do igure contamination by land use by activities.contamination F Follow these steps to protect the wellhead from protect these to steps Follow chemical contamination: • Do • Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality
• Locate manure stacks and liquid waste Different types of onsite wastewater treatment lagoons more than 250 feet from the well- systems require different maintenance proce- head. dures. However, all systems need maintenance. They will malfunction if not maintained. • Cover and protect compost stacks and wet manure to prevent waste from running off Follow these guidelines to keep your system and entering the soil. operating properly and to avoid contaminating the groundwater: Household Wastewater • Locate the septic tank at least 50 feet from the wellhead; the drain field should be at least 100 Management and Onsite feet from the wellhead. Septic Systems • Do not use in-sink garbage disposals exces- sively. Septic systems must be maintained regularly to avoid polluting the environment and caus- • Divert runoff coming from driveways and roof- ing health problems for people. To operate and tops away from the soil treatment area. maintain an onsite septic system effectively, first • Do not dump grease or medications down the understand how it works and what affects it. drain or into a toilet. Do not use the toilet as a The most common onsite wastewater treatment trash can. system is a conventional septic system (Fig. 61). • If you are undergoing chemotherapy, ask your This type of system consists of a septic tank and a doctor about appropriate waste disposal meth- soil absorption or drain field. ods to avoid discharging toxic drugs into the The system treats wastewater in the tank and in environment. the drain field: • Do not use chemicals to clean the septic 1. Wastewater flows through pipes from the house system. They can interfere with the biologi- to the septic tank, which is a watertight con- cal action in the tank, add toxic chemicals to tainer where solids are separated from liquid groundwater, and clog the drain field by flush- wastes. ing sludge and scum into the field.
2. In the tank, microorganisms (also called • Have the septic tank cleaned every 2 to 3 years. microbes) begin consuming the solids, nutrients, • Do not add chemical additives such as enzymes and organic matter in the wastewater. or conditioners to the septic tank. 3. The wastewater then moves through perforated • Do not cover the drain field with an impervi- pipes to a bed of gravel or similar material. ous surface such as a driveway or parking area. 4. From the gravel bed, the wastewater moves into • Do not drive heavy equipment over the compo- the soil, where microbes consume more of the nents of a wastewater treatment system. contaminants. • Because septic systems do not remove nitrogen 5. The water then moves through the soil and compounds efficiently, have the well water evaporates, is used by plants, or moves to tested for nitrate every year. One of the most groundwater.
▼66 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply ChapterChapter 1: Program 11: Protecting Your IntroductionWell Water Quality Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality Water Well Your Protecting 11: Chapter Plugging Abandoned Wells are responsible the landowners law, Texas Under their property wells on plugging abandoned for contamination any groundwater for and are liable injury that the wells. resultsor from 62) well (Fig. wells,Like an other abandoned is a direct surface channel the ground from to the Contaminants that enter below. the aquifer If a concen- the directly aquifer. into well move into move may it a well, trated chemical enters andthe threaten aquifer human health and the wells also in the same other It puts environment. particularlycontamination, risk for at aquifer the to those close the same or property those on well. abandoned begin plugging an the of process you Before notify well, the localabandoned groundwater district. districtsconservation Some restric- place the in type on water tions well of and depth of In decommission. may the well that a landowner cases, will some hire a licensed you to water need installerwell driller pump seal or to the and plug abandoned well. 67 ▼
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must
from brine drinking
61. A septic tank and soil absorption field system. ater softeners will increase the concentrations will softeners increaseater the concentrations mount of water that the wastewater water treatment of mount nd damagend the system. an overload the system fail. and to cause it an overload everse osmosis systems, can osmosis everse discharge 60 to up c a system common contaminants found in domestic contaminants in domestic found common drinking wells is nitrate. water w change which could salt in the soil, of the soil structure in theand field cause leach systemthe to fail. r pumped. water of the amount of percent a igure • Conserve Onsite Wastewater Wastewater see the Onsite information, more For and Maintenance Operation Systems: Treatment publication • Some • Spent Other problems to watch for include: for watch to problems Other • Roots agrilifebookstore.org. F Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality
and plumbing system. Chlorine is highly toxic to bacteria.
To reduce your risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and protect the system components, have a licensed water well driller or pump installer conduct the procedure.
If you want to shock-chlorinate the well your- self, follow the instructions in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service publication, Shock Chlorination of Wells, at agrilifebookstore.org. Also review the owner’s manual or manufac- Figure 62. Improperly unplugged, abandoned wells can be a source of groundwater contamination. turer’s literature to avoid damaging the water treatment system components. Take precautions to reduce your exposure to fumes. You are required to notify the Water Well Drill- Schedule shock chlorination for when the water ers Program of the Texas Department of Licens- system will not be in use for at least 12 to 24 ing and Regulation of your intent to plug the well hours. Calculate the amount of chlorine needed and the method to be used. Also, send a copy of according to the amount of water standing in the the state well-plugging form to the local ground- well. You’ll need access to the well to measure its water conservation district. depth and volume of water. If clear access is not For instructions on how to plug a well properly, see possible, hire a licensed professional.
• Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, by the Texas In addition to the well, most water treatment A&M AgriLife Extension Service at agrilife equipment—including water heaters, softeners, bookstore.org or at abandonedwell.tamu.edu and pressure tanks—should be disinfected. Dur- ing the process, temporarily disconnect or bypass • Landowner’s Guide to Plugging Abandoned Water drinking water filters such as activated carbon Wells, by the Texas Groundwater Protection filters. Committee, at www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/ rg/rg-347.html During and immediately after the disinfection process, the water from the system will be unsuit- • The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee able for consumption. You will need to flush the website at www.tgpc.state.tx.us/waterwells.htm water system until all traces of chlorine are gone and the well water has been tested. Do not allow the water to be used for drinking until test results Shock Chlorination confirm that the water is safe. In some cases, multiple shock chlorination proce- of Water Wells dures are not enough to resolve the problem. In those situations, a licensed well driller or pump When a water system is contaminated with installer will need to remove the pump and plumb- bacteria, the well can be disinfected by shock ing from the well and swab the interior with chlorination. This process introduces very high brushes and chemicals made for this purpose. concentrations of chlorine directly into the well
▼68 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply ChapterChapter 1: Program 11: Protecting Your IntroductionWell Water Quality
- - TX.
Texas Sta
Exten
Station, Texas A&M Texas
(www.rrc.state. College
AgriLife
Environmental
College
Service, on
A&M
Commission
Service. Texas
e wastewater from hydraulic hydraulic e wastewaterfrom Extension
Th
Railroad Commission
Extension
Chapter 11: Protecting Your Well Water Quality Water Well Your Protecting 11: Chapter Texas Texas AgriLife
uality (www.tceq.state.tx.us) regulates waste- uality (www.tceq.state.tx.us) x.us) regulates oil wastewater from management x.us) water treatment facilities. Q t and gas development. esikar, B. and J. Mechell. 2010. Plugging Aban- 2010. Mechell. andesikar, B. J. expressed concern that pumping water from a from water that pumping expressed concern will source surface-water a or aquifer water-supply wellsaffect private wellas reduce the as amount uses. other for available Wastewater: tion, TX.tion, 2010. Committee. Protection Groundwater Texas GuideLandowner’s to Plugging Water Abandoned Wells. RG-347, www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/ rg/rg-347.html/. doned Water Wells. doned Water TX. Service. Station, College sion and R. C. M. L., M. C. McFarland, Dozier, ShockRunyan. 2003. Chlorination of Wells. A&M References Treatment Lesikar, 2008. Wastewater B. Onsite and Maintenance. Systems Operation AgriLife L fracturing and gas oil wellscontains often high This solids. total dissolved of concentrations willwater also contain the original fracking solu- constituents the hydrocarbon of and some tion gas or the oil released reservoir. from properly. Thismustof be wastewater disposed con- suspect these water ifContact agencies you tamination caused wastewater discharge: by • The • The 69 ▼
the
the enter
constitu-
of
and
other
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply material
dissolve
chlorine,
may
to
geologic
the
arsenic
Several are million gallons water of
exposed as
is
Groundwater is not expected contain to is not Groundwater upply. use:
s
such
ater quifer s used to increase yields from aquifers, oil and gasoil aquifers, s used increase yields from to needed for each fracturing hydraulic for needed process, the and times a well can over be fracked multiple have well owners Some length the borehole. of dissolved methane or hydrocarbons. However, However, methane hydrocarbons. dissolved or naturallythey be present if may is the aquifer zone. gas-producing near located an or oil- fracturingHydraulic release these may constitu- Coal beds release may the environment. into ents suspect well water methane. that If you you as tested dis- it have contains these constituents, cussed 9. in Chapter Water reservoirs, and salt solution mining operations. In mining operations. reservoirs, and salt solution fracturing hydraulic well industry, canthe water yield. a well’s double fracturingHydraulic technology: a new is not used fracturingCompanies hydraulic have proce- has technology new decades. However, for dures prevalent. more it made include well owners water for concern of Points the gases that can be released after frac- hydraulic and requires, turing, it water the large of amount in the process. the wastewater generated Gases: Another concern for some well owners is hydraulic is hydraulic well owners some for concern Another fracturing in which a large (fracking), a procedure - a bore into pressure under is sent water of amount process fracture The to underground. the rock hole i ents w fracturing Hydraulic When you introduce chlorine, some of the of some chlorine, introduce When you through the aquifer the well chemical enter may screen. When a Appendix A: Agencies and Organizations: Where to Find Help
Appendix A Agencies and Organizations: Where to Find Help
Table 5. Information available on water wells and groundwater Aquifers in Texas, maps Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), www.twdb.state.tx.us/ Emergency water disinfection U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water.epa.gov/drink/emerprep/ emergencydisinfection.cfm Enforcement of well construction Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, www.license.state.tx.us/ regulations Environmental information, local MyEnvironment, EPA, www.epa.gov/myenvironment/howUsePage.html Groundwater information for students Ground Water Adventurers, National Ground Water Association, www.groundwateradventurers.org
Appendix A Groundwater information, world: science, National Ground Water Association, a nonprofit group of U.S. and development, economics, management, international groundwater professionals, including contractors, engineers, and protection equipment manufacturers, scientists, and suppliers. Provides information to members, governmental agencies, and the public, www.ngwa.org/Pages/default.aspx Groundwater management areas TWDB, www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater/conservation_districts/ Groundwater conservation districts Texas Alliance for Groundwater Areas, www.texasgroundwater.org/ Hydrologic sciences basic course Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training, comet.ucar.edu/. Key terminology, hydrologic processes, case studies, and some modules in Spanish. Laboratories that test drinking water, County health department listing National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference Institute, www.nelac-institute.org/accred-labs.php Laws pertaining to water in Texas Texas Water Code §35.001, www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/wa/htm/wa.35.htm Licensing and registration of well drillers Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, www.license.state.tx.us and pump installers Oil and gas development, wastewater Texas Railroad Commission, www.rrc.state.tx.us management Primary drinking water contaminants EPA, water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm Pump installers and well drillers, listing Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, www.license.state.tx.us Quality of drinking water, public Safe Drinking Water Act, water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ Quality of groundwater, effects of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), www.tceq.state.tx.us wastewater treatment facilities and other sites Quality of groundwater, local Local Ground Water Conservation District, www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater/conservation_districts/
▼70 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Appendix A: Agencies and Organizations: Where to Find Help Introduction Chapter 1: Program
Quality of well water, professionals Local licensed plumbers, pump installers, and well drillers Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, www.license.state.tx.us/LicenseSearch/ Texas Groundwater Protection Program, www.tceq.texas.gov/groundwater/prot_prog.html Superfund toxic waste locations EPA, www.epa.gov/superfund/ Water treatment systems, standards and American National Standards Institute, www.ansi.org certification National Sanitation Foundation, www.nsf.org/certified/dwtu
Water use indicators Water Footprint Network, www.waterfootprint.org/ A Appendix Water well information, general Texas Groundwater Protection Committee provides information important to well owners and coordinates among agencies involved in groundwater activities, www.tgpc.state.tx.us/ National Ground Water Association, www.wellowner.org Water well information, Texas Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Database, information on 130,000 wells, including well design yield and pump capacity, wiid.twdb.state.tx.us/ims/wwm_drl/viewer.htm Water Well Report, TCEQ, gis3.tceq.state.tx.us/waterwellpublic/index.jsp TCEQ Records Services Department, 512.239.0900 Well drillers and pump installers, listing Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, www.license.state.tx.us
▼71 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Appendix B isinfectant Legend WaterNational Drinking Primary Standards Appendix B Water Drinking Standards National Primary B: Appendix DBP DBP IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC OC OC OC OC OC D R R Di D Bromate photon emitters and particles Beta Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) Benzene Barium Atrazine Beryllium micrometers) (fibers Asbestos >10 Arsenic Acrylamide Antimony Alachlor Alpha particles Alpha Contaminant sinfection byproduct
MCL or TT or MCL 4 millirems 4 millirems 0.010 of as picocuries picocuries liter (MFL) liter fibers per per fibers 7 million 7 million per year per per liter liter per 1/23/06 (mg/L) 0.0002 (pCi/L) 0.004 0.006 0.005 0.003 0.002 0.010 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well TT 15 15 2 Increase in blood pressure Discharge of drilling wastes; wastes; drilling of Discharge pressure blood in Increase 2 8 IOC M 2 1
M I norganic chemical norganic Increased risk of cancer Increased Increased risk of cancer Increased Intestinal lesions reproductive problems or system Cardiovascular risk of cancer increased may have and system, circulatory Skin damage, problems with increased risk of cancer increased difficulties; Reproductive cancer of risk increased platelets; blood in decrease Anemia; benign intestinal polyps intestinal benign developing of risk Increased decrease in blood sugar blood in decrease cholesterol; blood in Increase Increased risk of cancer Increased of cancer risk increased anemia; problems; Eye, liver, spleen or kidney, problems; increased risk of cancer blood or system Nervous MCL the above exposure from effects health Potential icroorganism
▼
72 OC R Rad O rganic chemical disinfection water drinking of Byproducts photons and radiation beta as known radiation of forms may emit and radioactive are that materials certain of deposits man-made and natural of Decay aerospace, and defense industries defense and aerospace, electrical, from discharge factories; coal-burning and refineries metal from Discharge row crops on used herbicide from Runoff and production wastes electronics glass from runoff orchards, from runoff deposits; natural of Erosion lines storage and tanks distribution water of linings from Leaching landfills and tanks storage gas from Discharge from factories; leaching deposits natural of erosion refineries; metal from discharge mains; erosion of natural deposits natural of erosion mains; water in cement asbestos of Decay electronics; solder retardants; ceramics; fire refineries; Discharge from petroleum radiation alpha as known radiation of aform may emit and radioactive are that minerals certain of deposits natural of Erosion row crops on used herbicide from Runoff wastewater treatment sewage/ during to water Added waterin drinking Common sources of contaminant ionuclide health goal health Public Public 7 MFL 7 0.004 0.006 0.003 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 Chapter 1: Program Introduction Appendix B 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.1 1.3 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.07 0.07 0.04 0.075 0.007 0.005 Public MRDLG=4 MRDLG=4 health goal MRDLG=0.8 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Discharge from chemical and and chemical from Discharge agricultural chemical factories Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits Residue of banned termiticide Human and animal fecal animal and wasteHuman steel/metal from Discharge factories; discharge from plastic factories fertilizer and Runoff from herbicide used on cropsrow Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards Discharge from industrial chemical factories Water additiveWater used control to microbes plumbing household of Corrosion systems; erosion of natural deposits Discharge from industrial chemical factories Common sources of of sources Common water drinking in contaminant additiveWater used controlto microbes Water additiveWater used control to microbes Discharge from industrial chemical factories Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints Leaching of soil fumigant used on alfalfa and rice Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities Discharge from industrial chemical factories Discharge from industrial chemical factories Appendix B: Primary National Standards Drinking Water 73 ▼ Anemia; infants and young nervous effects system children: Liver or kidney problems kidney or Liver Allergic dermatitis Liver or nervous system problems; nervous problems; system or Liver increased cancer of risk Minor kidney changes kidney Minor Reproductive difficulties, increased cancer of risk kidney, or circulatoryLiver, system problems Nerve damage or thyroid problems or adrenalKidney, liver, gland problems Gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort Short-term exposure: distress. Long-Gastrointestinal term exposure: Liver or kidney Wilson’s with People damage. disease should consult a doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level Anemia; kidney, or spleen liver, damage; changes in blood Eye/nose irritation, stomach anemia discomfort, Potential health effects from Potential exposureabove the MCL Anemia; infants and young nervous effects system children: Increased cancer of risk Kidney damage Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Problems with blood,nervous system reproductive or system, Liver problems Liver Liver problems Liver
1 1 1 1 2 3 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.6 0.2 0.2 TT ; action 0.07 0.07 0.04 Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 0.075 0.002 0.007 0.005 0.005 7 0.005 0.0002 (mg/L) level=1.3 TT MRDL=4.0 MRDL=4.0 MRDL=0.8 MCL or TT ) 2 ) 2 ) 2 Chlorine Cl (as Cryptosporidium Chlorine dioxide (as ClO Chlorite Chlorobenzene Chromium (total) Copper Contaminant Chlordane 2,4-D Dalapon 1,2-Dibromo-3- (DBCP) chloropropane o-Dichlorobenzene Cyanide (as free (as Cyanide cyanide) p-Dichlorobenzene 1,2-Dichloroethane Cadmium Carbofuran 1,1-Dichloroethylene Carbon tetrachloride Carbon Chloramines (as Cl Chloramines (as cis-1,2- Dichloroethylene D D D M OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC IOC IOC IOC IOC DBP Appendix B isinfectant Legend Water Drinking Standards National Primary B: Appendix DBP DBP IOC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC M M D Di D Epichlorohydrin Endrin Endothall Diquat Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) Dioxin Dinoseb Fluoride Giardia lamblia phthalate Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate Di(2-ethylhexyl) 1,2-Dichloropropane Dichloromethane Dichloroethylene trans-1,2- (HAA5) acids Haloacetic Ethylene dibromide Heptachlor epoxide Glyphosate Ethylbenzene Heptachlor count (HPC) count plate Heterotrophic Contaminant sinfection byproduct
0.00000003 MCL or TT or MCL 0.00005 (mg/L) 0.0004 0.0002 0.006 0.060 0.005 0.005 0.002 0.007 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well 0.02 TT TT TT 4.0 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.1 8 3 3 IOC M 2 1
M I norganic chemical norganic Stomach and intestinal problems Liver problems Cataracts risk of cancer increased difficulties; Reproductive Reproductive difficulties Reproductive mottled teeth mottled may get bones); children the of tenderness and (pain disease Bone problems; increased risk of cancer Reproductive difficulties, liver increased risk of cancer increased kidneys; or system, reproductive liver, with stomach, Problems possible reproductive difficulties reproductive possible problems, liver loss, Weight Liver problems Increased risk of cancer Increased cancer of risk increased problems, Liver Increased risk of cancer Increased difficulties Kidney problems; reproductive Liver or kidney problems cancer of risk increased damage; Liver cancer of risk increased damage; Liver exposure above the MCL the above exposure Potential from effects health maintained the water system is. system water the maintained water, better the drinking in bacteria of concentration the lower water. in The common are that bacteria of variety the to measure used method analytic an is it effects; health no has HPC cramps) vomiting, diarrhea, (such illness as Gastrointestinal long period, stomach problems a over and risk, cancer Increased icroorganism
▼
74 OC R Rad O rganic chemical Runofffrom herbicide use Residue of banned insecticide ofbanned Residue Runofffrom herbicide use factories chemical from discharge combustion; other and incineration waste from Emissions soybeans and vegetables on used herbicide from Runoff and aluminum factories fertilizer from discharge deposits; natural of erosion teeth; strong Water additive which promotes chemical factories chemical Discharge from rubber and refineries Discharge from petroleum Discharge from chemical factories factories chemical industrial from Discharge factories chemical industrial from Discharge factories Discharge from drug and chemical disinfection water drinking of Byproduct Runofffrom herbicide use refineries Discharge from petroleum Residue of banned termiticide banned of Residue Breakdown of heptachlor contaminant in drinking water Common sources of environment the in present naturally are that bacteria of arange measures HPC Human and animal feces water treatment chemicals some of impurity an factories; chemical industrial from Discharge ionuclide health goalhealth Public Public 0.002 0.007 0.02 n/a n/a 4.0 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Chapter 1: Program Introduction Appendix B 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.002 0.004 0.0002 Public health goal Common sources of of sources Common water drinking in contaminant plumbing household of Corrosion systems; erosion of natural deposits Found naturally in water; multipliesheating in systems Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, gardens lumber, Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands Discharge from metal refineries agricultural chemicaland factories Runoff/leaching from insecticide alfalfa vegetables fruits, on used livestock Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes Discharge from wood preserving factories runoff Herbicide petroleum from Discharge refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines Erosion of natural deposits Runoffdischargeof from landfills; waste chemicals runoff Herbicide plastic and rubber from Discharge landfills from leaching factories; Appendix B: Primary National Standards Drinking Water 75 ▼ Infants Delays in and children: development; mental or physical children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities; Adults: Kidney problems; bloodhigh pressure Potential health effects from Potential exposureabove the MCL Liver or kidney problems kidney or Liver Legionnaire’s disease, a type of pneumonia Kidney damage Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased cancer of risk problems stomach or Kidney factories chemical from Discharge Reproductive difficulties Infants under 6 months old who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and if untreated, die.may Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, die.may Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. Slight nervous system effects Liver or kidney problems; increased cancer risk problems Liver Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers toes;or circulatory problems Increased cancer of risk Skin gland changes; thymus deficiencies; immune problems; nervous system or reproductive cancer of risk increased difficulties; blood with Problems Liver, kidney, or circulatoryLiver, system problems
1 2 3 1 Infants under 6 months old who 10 0.1 0.2 0.5 TT ; action 0.05 0.05 0.04 Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply 0.001 0.001 0.002 7 0.004 0.0002 0.0005 5 pCi/L (mg/L) TT MCL or TT level = 0.015 Contaminant Legionella Lindane Hexachlorobenzene Mercury (inorganic) Hexachlorocyclopent- adien Lead Methoxychlor Nitrate (measured as nitrogen) Nitrite (measured as nitrogen) Oxamyl (Vydate) Pentachlorophenol Picloram Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Simazine Selenium Radium and 226 (combined) 228 radium Styrene R M OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC Appendix B isinfectant Legend Water Drinking Standards National Primary B: Appendix DBP DBP IOC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC OC M M M D R Di D Tetrachloroethylene Toluene Thallium Trichloroethylene 1,1,2-Trichloroethane Xylenes (total) Vinyl chloride Uranium E. coli E. and coliform (including Total coliforms 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (Silvex) 2,4,5-TP Toxaphene Turbidity Contaminant Viruses (enteric) (TTHMs) Total trihalomethanes sinfection byproduct )
MCL or TT or MCL of 12/08/03 of 0.080 after after 0.080 30 ug/L as as 30 ug/L 12/31/03 (mg/L) 5.0% 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.003 0.002 0.002 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply toWater Guide Owner’s Well Network: Texas Owner Well 0.05 0.07 0.10 TT TT 0.2 10 1 3 3 IOC M 4 2 1
M I norganic chemical norganic cancer of risk increased problems; Liver problems system, kidneyNervous or liver liverproblems or intestine kidney, blood; in changes loss; Hair cancer of risk increased problems; Liver problems system Liver, immune or kidney, toxicity cancer, of kidney risk Increased MCL the above exposure Potential from effects health Nervous system damageNervous cramps)vomiting, (diarrhea, illness Gastrointestinal risk of cancer Increased headaches. associated and diarrhea, cramps, nausea, as such symptoms cause can organisms These bacteria. some and parasites viruses, as such microorganisms disease-causing of levels higher with associated often are levels turbidity organisms are present). Higher as whether disease-causing (such effectiveness filtration and quality water to indicate water. of used is It cloudiness the of ameasure is Turbidity present be may bacteria harmful potentially other whether to indicate used is it itself; in threat ahealth Not Liver problems risk of cancer increased problems; liver,Kidney, thyroid or Changes in adrenal glands Discharge from textile finishing textile from Discharge circulatory problems Liver, system, nervous or glands inChanges adrenal of cancer risk increased problems; system Liver, kidney or central nervous icroorganism 5
▼
76 OC R Rad O rganic chemical cleaners Discharge from factories and dry factories Discharge from petroleum glass, and drug factories sites; electronics, from discharge ore-processing from Leaching sites and other factories other and sites Discharge from metal degreasing factories chemical industrial from Discharge Erosion of natural deposits natural of Erosion contaminant in drinking water Common sources of factories chemical from discharge factories; Discharge from petroleum Human and animal feces factories plastic from discharge PVC pipes; from Leaching Soil runoff Residue of banned herbicide cattle and cotton on used insecticide from Runoff/leaching sites and other factories other and sites Discharge from metal degreasing factories only from human from only and animal feces coli E. and coliforms fecal feces; as well as environment the in present naturally are Coliforms disinfection water drinking of Byproduct ionuclide come come health goalhealth 0.0005 Public Public 0.003 0.20 0.05 0.07 n/a n/a 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Chapter 1: Program Introduction Appendix B
to or
- must
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as filter
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are known
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The
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Level Level bacterial
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(TT)—A
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500 Disinfectant Disinfectant omodichloromethane
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(as of 1/1/02 for systems serving >10,000 and 1/14/05 for systems forserving systems 99% and serving 1/14/05 removal. <10,000): >10,000 of 1/1/02 (as recycling: removal/inactivation time
99.9% removal/inactivation 99.9% than
Enhanced no
1 acids: Technique
Contaminant Contaminant Residual Residual
No believes limit, but that if EPA Giardia and viruses are removed/inactivated, Legionella will also be controlled.
At
more 99.99%
Term backwash No
CLGs as feasibleCLGs using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable stan- xpected risk health. to MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. nsure that the turbidity go no higher than 1 NTU (0.5NTU for conventional or direct filtration) in at least of the95% daily samples vidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. ll processes of the system’s existing conventional or direct filtration system or at an alternate location approvedby the state. erving fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable 1 Enhanced Long Surface Term Rule provi- Treatment Water requirements for unfiltered systems). s sions as turbidity (such standards, individual filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium a e month.in any As of January 2002, for systems 1, and serving January 2005, for systems 14, >10,000, serving turbidity <10,000, may never exceed 1 NTU, and must not exceed 0.3 NTU of daily in 95% samples month. in any Legionella: Cryptosporidium lambia: Giardia M e e dards. pected risk health. to allow MCLGs for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals. o more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per nits are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent parts to per million (ppm). lthough there is no collective for MCLG this contaminant group, there are individual for MCLGs some of the individual contami- ach water system must certify, in writing, the to state third-party (using or manufacturers certification) that when it uses acrylamide PA’s surface water treatment rulesPA’s require systems using surface water or groundwater under the direct influence surfaceof water ecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water be may contaminated with human or animal wastes. ead and copper are regulated a treatment by technique that requires systems control to the corrosiveness of their If more water. • Filter • Haloacetic • Trihalomethanes • Turbidity: • HPC: • Long • • • • Viruses: • Maximum • Maximum • Treatment • Maximum • Maximum Disease-causing microbes (pathogens) in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These pathogens pose may a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. nants: month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.) Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either fecal coliforms or E. coli has and acute MCL violation. F A N and/or epichlorohydrin the treat to combination water, product) (or of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified, as follows: acrylamide=0.05% dosed at 1 mg/L equivalent); (or epichlorohydrin=0.01% dosed mg/L at 20 equivalent). (or U E disinfect filter and theirtheir (2) water, water (1) or to meet criteria foravoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are con- trolled at the following levels. Definitions than 10% of tapthan water 10% samples exceed the action level, water systems must take additional steps. For the copper, action level is 1.3 mg/L, mg/L. and for lead is 0.015 L E
6. 4. 5. 3. 2. Notes 1. 8. 7. Appendix C: Well Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Possible Sources
Appendix C Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Possible Sources
Symptom Cause Treatment devices
Visual Cloudiness of water with a Turbidity Flocculation and (water appearance) yellow, brown or black cast sedimentation or particle that clears after standing 24 and microfiltration (POE)2 hours
Transparent yellow-brown High levels of NOM2, usually Activated carbon filtration tint to water that doesn’t in surface water or chlorination followed by clear after standing 24 hours activated carbon filtration Water utilities use flocculation to remove NOM.1
Brown-orange stains or Presence of dissolved iron Low amounts: reduce reddish slime or tint to water and iron bacteria with particle filter or during reverse osmosis or distillation treatments (POE2 or POU3) High amounts: remove by potassium permanganate- regenerated oxidizing filter and particle filter (POE)2 Very high amounts: remove by chlorination followed by particle filter (POE)2 Consider well and distribution/storage shock chlorination to kill iron bacteria
Brownish color or rusty Suspended iron and Particle filter (POE)2 sediment manganese particles
Visual Blackened or tarnished High chloride and sulfate Reverse osmosis unit (POE)2 (staining and metal utensils and pipes levels or distillation unit (POU)3 deposits)
Appendix C Blackened or tarnished High water acidity and high Acid-neutralizing filters metal utensils and pipes hydrogen sulfide (calcite or calcite/ magnesium oxide) (POE)2 or addition of alkaline chemicals such as lime
Stains in showers, toilet Hardness Water softener (POE2 or bowls, and faucet ends POU2)
▼78 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Introduction Appendix C
2 ) 2 2 2 3 2 ) 2 or addition of alkaline or addition of alkaline 2 2 chemicals lime as such chemicals lime as such or POU or Activated or filter charcoal (POE) aeration consider acid neutralizationconsider of excessive alkalinity Acid neutralizingAcid filters (POE) Acid neutralizingAcid filters (POE) Treatment devices Reverse osmosis or distillation (POU) Water softenerWater or reverse osmosis or distillation (POE Reverse unit or osmosis (POU) unit distillation Activated or filter charcoal (POU) aeration Reverse osmosis or systemsdistillation (POE Reverse or unit osmosis unit (POU) distillation aeration (POU) aeration Activated filter charcoal (POU) Oxidation of water during aeration (POE) or chlorination and a particle (POE) oxidizingfilter or (POE) filter followedan by activated carbon filter Acidity also be may control needed , including residual 4 79 chlorine, disinfection byproducts, or pesticides, fuel diesel, (gasoline, oil products) Acidity Acidity Cause High total dissolved solids, sodium, sulfates, or nitrates (salinity) Hardness Salinity VOCs VOCs, including residual chlorine, disinfection byproducts, pesticides, gasoline products Alkalinity pH (high and sodium) Salinity Gasoline, diesel, oil products Activated or filter charcoal Algae products (geos-min and MIB) Excessive acidity, lack of lack acidity, Excessive oxygen or source, water in hydrogen by contamination (occursnaturally sulfide gas aquifersin and sediments) ▼ Appendix C: Well Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Sources Possible Problems: Symptoms, Water Appendix Tests, C: Well Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Metallic taste Green water stains Symptom Salty or bitter taste Soap deposits or excessive scaly deposits plumbing in and appliances Houseplants stunted or with burned leaf tips Chlorine-like odor Chlorine-like Taste of chlorine, gasoline, Taste or oil Excessive salt deposits Excessive staining in showers and aluminum cookware Gasoline-like odor Earthy, musty, or chemical musty, Earthy, odor Rotten eggRotten odor Other visual Odor Taste Visual (staining and continued deposits) Appendix C: Well Water Problems: Symptoms, Tests, and Possible Sources
Symptom Cause Treatment devices
Illness Gastrointestinal problems Pathogens Remove source of such as diarrhea and contamination. Reduce vomiting pathogens through chlorination, UV radiation, or ozonation (POE). Chloramine chemicals may be used after chlorination is completed in order to maintain acceptable chlorine residual levels.
Appliance/hardware Early appliance failure Hardness Water softener (POE or POU) problems Poor evaporative cooler Build-up of scale on pads Use bleed-off mechanism to performance (high hardness, high salinity) prevent build-up of salts and minerals (more information on Water Conservation website)
Blackened/tarnished metal High chloride levels Reverse osmosis unit or utensils and pipes distillation unit (POU)
Blackened/tarnished metal High water acidity and high Acid-neutralizing filters utensils and pipes hydrogen sulfide (POE) or addition of alkaline chemicals such as lime
1NOM Natural organic water 2POE Point of entry 3POU Point of use 4VOC Volatile organic compound Appendix C
▼80 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Introduction Glossary - An that aquifer has a Glossary of Terms and Conditions and Terms of Glossary province: An area having a
The crust of The earth the beneath
oose body of sediment that has sediment of body oose A high-energy, high-speed particle A high-energy, olony of microorganisms that of attach olony A l
range unconfined): rock:
A c
Consisting of substances Consisting particles of or (
gamma ray. ray. gamma A hardened deposit of calcium of carbon- deposit A hardened A dark igneous rock commonly extruded A dark commonly rock igneous article: and
p
to each other and to a surface, and to eachto other slime. forming caliche: materials, as such other together that cements ate Caliche and soil. is sand, typi- silt, gravel, clay, surface nearcally the ground or on in arid found can a It and be a few to semiarid inches regions. few feet thick. colloidal: that and are dispersed evenly microscopically throughout a liquid. colluvium: ticle and bioslime: is deposited Colluvium gravity. by deposited been activities as such by avalanches, and mudslides, landslides. confined it between land and the (aquitard) confining layer surface. An artesiannot but is confined, aquifer allpressure). confinedaquifers (under are artesian emitted from an atomic nucleus during radioac- nucleus an from atomic emitted A beta particle energy than has more decay. tive willan can but particle. alpha paper It penetrate an See by alpha aluminum plate. parbe stopped basement is usually rock sedimentary Basement deposits. as such rock granite. andigneous metamorphic basalt: volcanoes. from basin mountains, which are large fault-block of series rifts; by created rock the mountains are of blocks basinsseparated by filled sediment. with beta 81 ▼ -
Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Relating to or resulting from the resulting Relating from or to
A particle emitted from an A particle from emitted An outspread, gently sloping land- sloping gently An outspread,
ertaining a sedimentary to process P An underground body of geologic mate geologic of body An underground P
space: In well drilling, the space
fan:
Pertaining a sedimentary to process An underground body of geologic mate- geologic of body An underground
article: p
ot permeable enough to yield water to a well. to water yield to enough permeable ot artesian: contain- the aquifer rise above to pressure enough ing it. ertaining that is under groundwater to aquitard: is and flow rial as groundwater such that clay slows n influence of humanof beings. influence aquifer: atomic nucleus during radioactive decay; it can during radioactive decay; it nucleus atomic See beta particle paper. of a sheet by be stopped between wall. the well casing and the borehole anthropogenic: ground- conduct to rial enough that is permeable a well. to water yield and to water made by running water. The The runningalluvial by made sedimentary water. plains, beds, be in flood may river and deposits in sediments alluvial include fans. does not It lakes seas. or alluvial of a combination by alluvium deposited of form in It found is arid and gravity and stream flow. the land- above, from Viewed semiarid regions. a fan. is in the of shape form alpha and ray. gamma annular aeolian: affected by activityerode, Winds the of wind. materialstransport, uncon- and form and deposit as such land forms The sand dunes. solidated the the mythologi- name from of is derived term the winds. of cal keeper god Aeolus, Greek alluvial: Glossary it here? findMorewater-related Can’t termshttp://www.aces.edu/waterquality/glossary/glossary.htm. are posted at Glossary of Terms and Conditions
consolidated: Said of geologic material that has evaporite: Sediment deposited after a liquid undergone any process whereby loose, soft, or liq- evaporates, such as salt formed in a playa. Gyp- uid earth materials have become firm and hard. sum is an evaporite formed of calcium and An example of consolidated material is rock. sulfate.
contact time: In water disinfection, the length of fault: A fracture or fracture zone in which the time required for chlorine or another disinfectant sides have been displaced relative to one another. to deactivate pathogens. Earthquakes occur along faults.
corrosion: The disintegration of an engineered flowing well: An artesian well under sufficient material by chemical reactions with its surround- pressure to discharge water on the land surface. ings. An example is the rusting of an iron pipe. focused recharge: Groundwater recharge in delta: A nearly flat, alluvial tract of land at the locations where surface water has accumulated mouth of a river; it is formed by the deposition of in depressions or low-lying areas. Examples: sediment and alluvium by the river. Most deltas recharge from a pond, playa, lake, or stream. are partly submerged. fouling: An accumulation of unwanted material depositional setting: The laying-down of geo- on surfaces that inhibits function. It may consist logic material by any natural agent, such as when of bacteria or inorganic corrosive reactions with river systems transport sediment or it settles from the environment, such as rusting. suspension in water. gamma ray: A very high-energy, high-speed distillation: A method of separating mixtures particle emitted from an atomic nucleus during based on differences in volatilities of components radioactive decay. Gamma rays have more energy in a boiling liquid mixture. Water is distilled to than beta particles and can penetrate most mate- remove impurities, such as salt from seawater. rials. They are slowed by lead. See alpha particle Distilled water consists of water molecules only. and beta particle.
divide (watershed): The topographic boundary geochemistry: The study of the chemical composi- between two watersheds. tion of the earth and the chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition of rocks, down gradient: Downhill or down slope—the water, and soil. Isotope geochemistry focuses on direction that groundwater flows under a gradient. the elements and their isotopes in the earth; aque- ous geochemistry centers on the interactions of drawdown cone (cone of depression): The various elements in surface water and groundwater. lowering of the water level in a well as a result of pumping. The drawdown is the vertical distance geologic formation: A thickness or layer of rocks between the original water table and the water having comparable characteristics, properties, and level in a well; the cone of depression is the hori- depositional settings. The thickness of different zontal distance between the well and the edge of formations can vary widely over distances, and the drawdown. there can be variation within a formation.
enteric: Of or within the intestine. gradient: The rate of regular or graded ascent or descent, or sloping upward or downward. In EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): A chemistry, it is the regular or graded change in U.S. governmental agency that works to protect
Glossary concentration from increasing or decreasing. human health and the environment.
▼82 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Introduction Glossary
broad
include EPA.
the
by
Examples
A common yellow min- yellow A common
Glossary of Terms and Conditions and Terms of Glossary earth. measures
e process by which geologic which geologic by e process dimentary consisting rock chiefly The characteristic The rock of any the Th
ne of the features of thatne make up (pyrite):
A se of O ne of two or more species of a chemi- of species two more of or ne
e maximum the or contaminant level, O
Th
A type of topography that is formed by by that is formed A type topography of sulfide enforcement
surface tamorphic:
eatures such as a plain, plateau, or mountain, mountain, eaturesor as such plateau, a plain, cal element; the species have the same number of of the same number have the species cal element; of number a different but in the nucleus protons slightly have of element an isotopes The neutrons. physical chemicalproperties. different and karst: gypsum; or dolomite, limestone, over dissolution is characterizedit sinkholes, caves, by and under- drainage.ground landform: derived from preexisting from rocks mineralogical,derived by structuralchemical, and/or changes, in response and change chemical pressure, to in temperature, in generally the deep earth’s crust. environment, f me iron featuresand as slope, minor such a hill, valley, alluvial or canyon, fan. lithification: processes as such by cemen- material is converted and crystallization. compaction, tation, limestone: is It carbonate). the mineralof (calcium calcite car- distributed and important widely the most rock. bonate MCL: a contaminant that of is allowed in concentration human drinkingprotect Thisto level is set water. are the MCL above health. Concentrations a health drinking risk. Public considered water that meets MCLs water or deliver must providers face the eral that contains often small other of amounts Pyrite minerals as and such copper. arsenic, gold, sulfide of and abundant widespread is the most minerals and occurs in all kinds rocks. of isotope: 83 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply The movement or exchange movement The A colorless gas that smells A colorless
e science dealinge science with the proper- A graph showing river stages, flow, stages, river showing flow, A graph lfide: e length of time that the volume of of e length time that of the volume Th cycle:
su The quality containing The of water dis-
Th
A c The characteristic of a rock or mineralcharacteristicrock The of a
A construction materialA construction used fill to voids
of water between the atmosphere and earth; between water also the atmosphere of known as cycle. the water hydrology: water. of and circulation ties, distribution, igneous: - mate partlyor molten molten that solidified from magma;rial, or the that process to also applied the three of rocks. is such one rock Igneous forms main classes which rocks are into divided, the and sedimentary. being metamorphic others like rotten eggs. It is often the result of bacteria bacteria of is eggs. the result often like rotten It breaking organic in matter the down absence Also oxygen. of known as swamp gas and sewer as as low in concentrations gas, is perceptible it parts0.00047 million. per hydrograph: characteristics with other water or of velocity, commonly time. A streamrespect to hydrograph hydrograph a groundwater flow; of rate shows level. water shows hydrologic and seal joints, generally composed of a mix- of and generally seal composed joints, or and sand. Applied cement, clay, water, ture of time. hardens over it asplaced a thick emulsion, half-life: radioactive decay takesa substance undergoing the half-life of example, half. decreaseto by For years, meaning that after is 5,730 that carbon 14 carbon 14 of time, half of the volume amount of has nitrogen. to decayed hardness: minerals scale that and appliances solved form on tap fixtures.by a often is indicated Hard water with soap. laundering suds when lack of hydrogen granite: grout: oarse-grained, crystalline rock. Glossary of Terms and Conditions
mg/L (parts per million): Milligrams per liter. playa: A dry, barren area in the lowest part of an Just as percent means out of a hundred, so parts undrained desert basin; it is underlain by clay, per million or ppm means out of a million. This silt or sand, and commonly by salts. It may be measure usually describes the concentration of marked by an ephemeral lake. something in water. plume: In groundwater, the form that contami- NAPL (non-aqueous phase liquid): an oily nants take after being discharged underground. liquid that does not mix readily with water and The contaminants are diluted when they mix flows separately from groundwater. Examples with groundwater as it flows downgradient. are chlorinated solvents and petroleum products. A dense NAPL (DNAPL) is denser than water porosity: The measure of void (empty) spaces in and tends to sink once it reaches the water table. a material. A NAPL that is less dense than water (LNAPL) radioactive: Said of a material that decays as the tends to float on the water table. atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing organic: Originating from living or previously particles (radiation). The atom decays without any living things, and containing carbon. physical interaction with another particle from outside the atom. pH: A measure of the concentration of hydro- gen ions in a solution that describes whether it reagent: A substance or compound that is added is acidic or alkaline (basic). pH is measured on a to a system to bring about a chemical reaction, or scale that ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very that is added to see if a reaction occurs. basic). recharge: The process by which water is added pCi/L (picocuries per liter): The curie is a stan- to a groundwater source, typically by percola- dard measure for the intensity of radioactivity in tion through the soils. Also, the amount of water a sample of radioactive material. A pico denotes a added. factor of 10-12 or 0.000000000001. rift valley: A valley that has developed along a parent material: The geologic material—min- rift caused by geologic faulting. eral or organic—from which soils and sediment rule of capture: The doctrine and its interpreta- develop. Granite is a typical parent material from tion in Texas that groundwater essentially belongs which sand is derived by erosion. to the landowner once it has been captured by a permeability: In fluid mechanics and earth sci- well and delivered to the surface. ence, the ability of a material to allow fluids to SMCL (Secondary Maximum Contaminant pass through it. Level): The recommended contaminant level, or physiographic province: A region or province concentration of a particular contaminant con- in which the landscape reflects a unified geologic stituent, set to meet aesthetic standards of taste, history of depositional and erosional processes. odor, or color. Concentrations above the SMCL Each physiographic province is distinguished by are not considered a human health risk. characteristic climate, vegetation, geologic struc- Safe Drinking Water Act: The main federal law ture, and rock and soil types. The elevations and that ensures the quality of Americans’ drinking shapes of a landform contrast significantly with water. Under the act, the EPA sets standards for those of nearby landforms. drinking water quality and oversees the states, Glossary
▼84 Texas Well Owner Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply Chapter 1: Program Introduction Glossary Organic,
aid of anaid that of aquifer S
chemical):
Glossary of Terms and Conditions and Terms of Glossary The process of over-pumping over-pumping processof The
e process by which water vapor vapor which water e process by Said of sediment that is loosely that is loosely sediment Said of e destructive which processes by Th organic
The general a of The configuration land confined): Th
The movement or exchange of water or exchangeof water movement The (
A land area that drains a com- to Pertaining the activities, to structure, cycle: table:surface The between saturated the (volatile
development:
carbon-based chemicals that vaporize easily or temperature. room at evaporate volcanic: and types rock a volcano. of water and an unsaturated of aquifer. portions weathering: a well after has constructed that it ensure been to fine- removes It the aquifer. to is connected it and alters grained the borehole from sediments the characteristics physical near the aquifer the of to freely more flow to water enable to borehole the well. topography: living from plants. the atmosphere to is lost unconfined rechargereceives directly theland surface. from also is sometimes called aquifer It table a water boundary because table. upper its is thewater unconsolidated: arranged, unstratified,particlesof or made that together. cemented are not VOC and the earth; isbetween also the it atmosphere called the hydrologic cycle. watershed: as waterway such a stream,mon lake, wetland, or the ocean.ultimately water rocks are changed atmospheric exposure to on near the earth’s or at agents surface; the physical of and chemical disintegration decomposition sediments. thatrock produces well surface, including its elevation relief and the posi- relief surface, elevation its including features. manufactured and natural its of tion transpiration: 85 ▼ Texas Well OwnerTexas Network: Well Owner’s Guide to Water Supply f rock created by the consolida- by created f rock rogram of the federal government rogram the federal of government e sinking the earth’s of surface O
Th A p
Pertaining the processes to and struc- otal dissolved solids. A measure of the A measure otal solids. of dissolved A domestic well that well: serves to A domestic water
T A fine-grained sedimentary formed rock
A hard residue that the pre- results from A hard residue Water that contains mostly sodium or that contains sodium or mostly water: Water
tures dealing architecture the of with the broad part the earth. of structural outer major The or and origin, features and relations, deformation the earth. of historical evolution minerals and chemicals dissolved in water, typi-minerals and chemicals in water, dissolved cally in milligrams recorded (mg/L). liter per tectonic: to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste clean uncontrolled sites. to up TDS: caused natural processes as by such com- geologic human by activityor aspaction such mining or groundwater. or oil of pumping Superfund: potassium ions. Hard water can Hard by water be “softened” potassium ions. calcium dissolved and magnesium withreplacing softener using a water potassium ions sodium or naturally in total dissolved low system. Water is alsosolids called soft water. subsidence: more than one but less than 15 connections or 25 25 or connections less than than but 15 more one from a shared well is exempt In Texas, residents. regulation. soft tion of sediment. Sediment forms in layers such such in layers forms Sediment sediment. of tion and sand.as mud shale: mud. or silt, clay, of the compaction by shared localities, and water suppliers that implement the that implement localities, suppliers and water drinkingprotect standards. helps water law The lakes, rivers, sources: and reservoirs, its springs, regulate pri- does not wells. It and groundwater wells thatvate serve than people. fewer 25 scale: calcium minerals of and of composed cipitation coats the commonly magnesium carbonates. It and appliances. pipes water of inside sedimentary:
Minor aquifers of Texas.Minor Aquifers of Texas
DALLAM SHERMAN HANSFORD OCHILTREE LIPSCOMB
HARTLEY MOORE HUTCHINSON ROBERTS HEMPHILL
OLDHAM POTTER CARSON GRAY WHEELER
ARM- COLLINGS- DEAF SMITH RANDALL STRONG DONLEY WORTH
CHILD- PARMER CASTRO SWISHER BRISCOE HALL RESS
HARDEMAN
BAILEY LAMB HALE FLOYD MOTLEY COTTLE WILBAR- FOARD GER WICHITA
CLAY LAMAR MONTAGUE RED RIVER COOKE GRAYSON FANNIN COCHRAN HOCKLEY LUBBOCK CROSBY DICKENS KING KNOX BAYLOR ARCHER BOWIE DELTA
F
R
M
A
O
N TITUS
THROCK- JACK WISE DENTON COLLIN K R
HOPKINS L YOAKUM TERRY LYNN R CASS GARZA KENT STONEWALL HASKELL YOUNG HUNT I I MORTON N S CAMP ROCK- RAINS MARION WALL WOOD UPSHUR SHACKEL- PARKER TARRANT DALLAS GAINES DAWSON BORDEN SCURRY FISHER JONES STEPHENS PALO PINTO FORD KAUFMAN VAN ZANDT HARRISON GREGG
HOOD SMITH J SON OHN ELLIS ANDREWS MARTIN HOWARD M TCHEL EASTLAND I L NOLAN TAYLOR CALLAHAN HENDERSON PANOLA ERATH SOMER- VEL RUSK NAVARRO EL PASO COMAN- HILL CHERO- GLASS- CHE BOSQUE KEE SHELBY LOVING WINKLER ECTOR MIDLAND COCK COKE ANDERSON STERLING RUNNELS COLEMAN BROWN FREESTONE NACOG- HAMILTON DOCHES SAN HUDSPETH WARD McLENNAN LIMESTONE AUGUS- CULBERSON M L TINE IL S SABINE CRANE TOM GREEN CORYELL HO STON UPTON REAGAN U ANGELINA REEVES CONCHO LEON IRION FALLS LAMPASAS M L CH NEWTON cCUL O SAN SABA TRINITY
J
ROBERT- A BELL MADISON S SON P
E SCHLEICHER MENARD POLK TYLER R MILAM WALKER JEFF DAVIS PECOS BURNET CROCKETT MASON LLANO BRAZOS WILLIAMSON SAN GRIMES JACINTO KIMBLE BURLESON SUTTON HARDIN TRAVIS GILLESPIE LEE MONTGOMERY BLANCO WASHING- O NGE TERRELL LIBERTY RA TON WALLER BASTROP PRESIDIO KERR HAYS JEFFERSON AUSTIN EDWARDS KENDALL HARRIS VAL VERDE FAYETTE CALDWELL BREWSTER REAL COMAL CHAMBERS BANDERA COLORADO GUADALUPE FORT BEND
BEXAR GONZALES GALVESTON LAVACA KINNEY UVALDE MEDINA WHARTON BRAZORIA WILSON DE WITT JACKSON ATASCOSA KARNES ZAVA FRIO LA VICTORIA MATAGORDA MAVERICK GOLIAD
CALHOUN DIMMIT BEE Legend LA SALLE McMULLEN LIVE OAK REFUGIO ARAN- SAN SAS PATRICIO
Brazos River Alluvium Rita Blanca JIM WEBB WELLS NUECES DUVAL DEVE L West Texas Bolsons Edwards -Trinity (High Plains) OP R M KLEBERG E E Lipan Dockum T N A T W
B J M OGG S O Yegua Jackson Dockum * I H BROOKS ZAPATA
KENEDY A A
R X
D Igneous Rustler E T
STARR Sparta Rustler * WILLACY Sparta * Capitan Reef Complex HIDALGO CAMERON Queen City Blaine Queen City * Blaine * Nacatoch Bone Spring - Victorio Peak Nacatoch * Marble Falls Blossom Marathon Blossom * Ellenburger - San Saba Woodbine Ellenburger - San Saba * Woodbine * Hickory DISCLAIMER This map was generated by the Texas Water Development Board using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software. NOTE: Chronology by Geologic age. Hickory * No claims are made to the accuracy or completeness of the Miles information shown herein nor to its suitability for a particular use. 015 30 60 90 120 The scale and location of all mapped data are approximate. OUTCROP (That part of a water-bearing rock layer which appears at the land surface) *DOWNDIP (That part of a water-bearing rock layer which dips below other rock layers)
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