Groundwater contained in aquifers is one of the most abundant water sources for drinking water facilities. Unlike surface water, groundwater is filtered through rock, soil and sand, which helps remove organic material and disease-causing organisms. However, it is still essential to treat groundwater for added health protection.
In 2006, the EPA implemented the Ground Water Rule (GWR), which requires small systems to disinfect their groundwater source water to provide additional protection against microbial pathogens. Generally, groundwater is low on organic matter, which makes disinfection byproducts formation less of a concern.
The EPA issued the Ground Water Rule to improve your drinking water quality and provide additional protection from disease-causing microorganisms. Water systems that have ground water sources may be susceptible to fecal contamination. In many cases, fecal contamination can contain disease-causing pathogens. The Ground Water Rule provides increased protection against these microbial pathogens, most common under GWUDI conditions where surface water recharges aquifer.
The Ground Water Rule applies to public water systems that treat ground water. The rule also applies to any system that mixes surface and ground water if the ground water is added directly to the distribution system and is provided to consumers without treatment.
The size and technology affect how compliance monitoring requirements impact your utility, so reference the EPA Ground Water Rule here for exact details .
Groundwater is typically low on natural organic matter (NOM); however, it may still require treatment with coagulants to remove colloidal particles present after natural filtration through the layers of soil. In some situations, groundwater does not require additional filtration. However, besides the potential for bacterial contamination, groundwater, especially under the direct influence of surface waters (GWUDI), may contain compounds that, while not harmful for human consumption, can provide treatment challenges to some systems, (especially those using chlorine for the first time), e.g. Nitrate, Iron and Manganese.
With analytical testing, you can:
Your facility is required to monitor your groundwater for the presence of harmful contaminants and to disinfect. Monitoring your source water can help your facility optimize the treatment process and efficiently respond to uncertainties, helping contribute to lower operating costs and higher quality drinking water. Whatever your needs, Hach® is ready to help with information, technology and support.
Explore the various parameters and methods for source water monitoring below.
Ammonia levels can reach several mg/L in groundwater systems, especially those located in agricultural areas. The ammonia levels can change seasonally and need to be monitored. The ammonia will react with chlorine to form chloramines, creating an uncontrolled chloraminated water. The uncontrolled chloramination can cause taste and odor issues and possible nitrification problems in the distribution system. The standard salicylate method can be used to determine ammonia levels in the unchlorinated water.
Contact us for tech support, service, sales, or to get a quote.
