Relatively little data describing the quality of groundwater in New York State exists, yet groundwater is used as a source of drinking water by approximately one quarter of the population of the state. The objective of the 305(b) Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring project is to quantify and report on ambient groundwater quality from bedrock and glacial-drift aquifers in upstate New York. An ongoing cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), this study supports NYSDEC’s responsibilities under Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977. The project began in 2002 with a pilot study in the Mohawk River Basin and another in 2003 in the Chemung River Basin. Sampling completed in 2018 represented the conclusion of the third round of groundwater-quality sampling throughout upstate New York State, and the fourth round will be completed in 2023.
Approach
Groundwater-quality samples are collected and analyzed using consistent, standardized methods. Each year, samples are collected from existing domestic and public supply wells in two to three of the 14 major hydrologic basins in New York State (north of the New York City metropolitan area). The groundwater sampling parallels surface-water sampling done as part of the NYSDEC Rotating Integrated Basin Studies (RIBS) program, and each basin is resampled once every five years. Fifty to sixty groundwater samples are collected each year from existing domestic and public supply wells using standard USGS protocols. Wells are selected to represent an approximately equal number of public and private wells, an approximately equal number of bedrock and glacial-drift wells, and to provide a representative geographic distribution of samples. Most private wells selected for sampling are identified through NYSDEC’s Water Well Program.
Raw water samples are analyzed for more than 100 constituents, including physical parameters, dissolved gases (through 2018), nutrients, major ions, trace elements, bacteria, radiochemicals, total organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, and pesticides. As basins are sampled for the second, third, and fourth time, approximately 20 percent of samples are collected from wells that previously have been sampled as part of this study. At the completion of the 2022 sampling season, about 900 unique wells have been sampled as part of this project. The data are made available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), as well as USGS Open-File Reports for cycle years 2002 to 2016, and USGS Data Releases for cycle years 2017 to present.
Links
USGS Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner
USEPA Ground Water and Drinking Water
USEPA Private Drinking Water Wells
NYSDEC
NYSDEC Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring
Drinking water standards
USEPA Current Drinking Water Standards
NYSDOH Current Drinking Water Standards
Radon
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Well Selection Information for Homeowners and PWS Personnel
Analytes 2018
Groundwater Sample Collection Methods
305b Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring in New York
Below are data associated with this project.
Groundwater Quality Data from the Mohawk and Western New York River Basins, New York, 2016
Groundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain and Susquehanna River Basins, New York, 2019
Groundwater Quality Data from the Upper Hudson and Central New York River Basins, New York, 2017
Groundwater Quality Data from the Lower Hudson, Chemung, and Eastern Lake Ontario River Basins, New York, 2018
Below are publications associated with this project.
Groundwater quality in the Mohawk and western New York River Basins, New York, 2016
Groundwater quality in the Delaware, Genesee, and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2015
Groundwater quality in the Lake Champlain and Susquehanna River basins, New York, 2014
Groundwater quality in the Chemung River, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Lower Hudson River Basins, New York, 2013
Groundwater quality in central New York, 2012
Groundwater quality in the Upper Hudson River Basin, New York, 2012
Occurrence of methane in groundwater of south-central New York State, 2012-systematic evaluation of a glaciated region by hydrogeologic setting
Groundwater quality in western New York, 2011
Groundwater quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2011
Dissolved methane in New York groundwater, 1999-2011
Groundwater quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010
Groundwater quality in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, New York, 2009
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Relatively little data describing the quality of groundwater in New York State exists, yet groundwater is used as a source of drinking water by approximately one quarter of the population of the state. The objective of the 305(b) Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring project is to quantify and report on ambient groundwater quality from bedrock and glacial-drift aquifers in upstate New York. An ongoing cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), this study supports NYSDEC’s responsibilities under Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977. The project began in 2002 with a pilot study in the Mohawk River Basin and another in 2003 in the Chemung River Basin. Sampling completed in 2018 represented the conclusion of the third round of groundwater-quality sampling throughout upstate New York State, and the fourth round will be completed in 2023.
New York State 305(b) Major Basins(Public domain.) Approach
Groundwater-quality samples are collected and analyzed using consistent, standardized methods. Each year, samples are collected from existing domestic and public supply wells in two to three of the 14 major hydrologic basins in New York State (north of the New York City metropolitan area). The groundwater sampling parallels surface-water sampling done as part of the NYSDEC Rotating Integrated Basin Studies (RIBS) program, and each basin is resampled once every five years. Fifty to sixty groundwater samples are collected each year from existing domestic and public supply wells using standard USGS protocols. Wells are selected to represent an approximately equal number of public and private wells, an approximately equal number of bedrock and glacial-drift wells, and to provide a representative geographic distribution of samples. Most private wells selected for sampling are identified through NYSDEC’s Water Well Program.
Raw water samples are analyzed for more than 100 constituents, including physical parameters, dissolved gases (through 2018), nutrients, major ions, trace elements, bacteria, radiochemicals, total organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, and pesticides. As basins are sampled for the second, third, and fourth time, approximately 20 percent of samples are collected from wells that previously have been sampled as part of this study. At the completion of the 2022 sampling season, about 900 unique wells have been sampled as part of this project. The data are made available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), as well as USGS Open-File Reports for cycle years 2002 to 2016, and USGS Data Releases for cycle years 2017 to present.
Links
USGS Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner
USEPA Ground Water and Drinking Water
USEPA Private Drinking Water WellsNYSDEC
NYSDEC Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring
Drinking water standards
USEPA Current Drinking Water Standards
NYSDOH Current Drinking Water Standards
Radon
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Well Selection Information for Homeowners and PWS Personnel
Well Selection Information for Homeowners and PWS PersonnelAnalytes 2018
Samples are analyzed for a wide range of constituents, including physical parameters (such as pH and temperature), nutrients, major ions, trace elements including mercury and arsenic, Coliform bacteria, radon, total organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, and pesticidesGroundwater Sample Collection Methods
Collecting groundwater samples from a typical homeowner well...305b Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring in New York
Introduction Relatively little data describing the quality of groundwater in New York State exists, yet groundwater is used as a source of drinking water by approximately one quarter of the population of the state. The objective of the 305(b) Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring project is to quantify and report on ambient groundwater quality from bedrock and glacial-drift aquifers in upsta - Data
Below are data associated with this project.
Groundwater Quality Data from the Mohawk and Western New York River Basins, New York, 2016
From July through December 2016, 56 environmental samples were collected from the Mohawk and Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected from nine production wells and 13 domestic wells in the Mohawk River Basin, and 17 production wells and 17 domestic wells in the Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected and processed using standard USGS methods and analyzed for 320 constitGroundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain and Susquehanna River Basins, New York, 2019
From July to November 2019, 48 environmental samples and four quality assurance and quality control samples were collected throughout the Lake Champlain and Susquehanna River Basins. Samples were collected from 10 production wells and nine domestic wells in the Lake Champlain Basin, and 14 production wells and 15 domestic wells in the Susquehanna River Basin. Of the total wells sampled, 24 were coGroundwater Quality Data from the Upper Hudson and Central New York River Basins, New York, 2017
From May to December 2017, 48 environmental samples and six quality control samples were collected throughout the Upper Hudson and Central New York River Basins. Samples were collected from nine production wells and 11 domestic wells in the Upper Hudson River Basin, and 14 production wells and 14 domestic wells in the Central New York River Basin. Of the total wells sampled, 22 were completed in bGroundwater Quality Data from the Lower Hudson, Chemung, and Eastern Lake Ontario River Basins, New York, 2018
From July through November 2018, 48 environmental samples and four quality-control samples were collected throughout the Lower Hudson, Chemung, and Eastern Lake Ontario River Basins. Samples were collected from seven production wells and eight domestic wells in the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin, 13 production wells and 12 domestic wells in the Lower Hudson River Basin, and four production wells and f - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 27Groundwater quality in the Mohawk and western New York River Basins, New York, 2016
Water samples were collected from July through December 2016 from 9 production wells and 13 domestic wells in the Mohawk River Basin, and from 17 production wells and 17 domestic wells in the western New York River Basins. The samples were collected and processed by using standard U.S. Geological Survey methods and were analyzed for 320 physicochemical properties and constituents, including dissolAuthorsDevin L. Gaige, Tia-Marie Scott, James E. Reddy, Meaghan R. KeefeGroundwater quality in the Delaware, Genesee, and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2015
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, collected groundwater samples from 5 production wells and 5 domestic wells in the Delaware River Basin, 8 production wells and 7 domestic wells in the Genesee River Basin, and 1 municipal well, 7 production wells, and 13 domestic wells in the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York. All sampleAuthorsTia-Marie Scott, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, James E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Lake Champlain and Susquehanna River basins, New York, 2014
In a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, groundwater samples were collected from 6 production wells and 7 domestic wells in the Lake Champlain Basin and from 11 production wells and 9 domestic wells in the Susquehanna River Basin in New York. All samples were collected from June through December 2014 to charAuthorsTia-Marie Scott, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, James E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Chemung River, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Lower Hudson River Basins, New York, 2013
In a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, water samples were collected from 4 production wells and 4 domestic wells in the Chemung River Basin, 8 production wells and 7 domestic wells in the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin, and 12 production wells and 13 domestic wells in the Lower Hudson River Basin (southAuthorsTia-Marie Scott, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, James E. ReddyGroundwater quality in central New York, 2012
Water samples were collected from 14 production wells and 15 private wells in central New York from August through December 2012 in a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The samples were analyzed to characterize the groundwater quality in unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers in this area. Fifteen of the wellsAuthorsJames E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Upper Hudson River Basin, New York, 2012
Water samples were collected from 20 production and domestic wells in the Upper Hudson River Basin (north of the Federal Dam at Troy, New York) in New York in August 2012 to characterize groundwater quality in the basin. The samples were collected and processed using standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 148 physiochemical properties and constituents, including dissolvedAuthorsTia-Marie Scott, Elizabeth A. NystromOccurrence of methane in groundwater of south-central New York State, 2012-systematic evaluation of a glaciated region by hydrogeologic setting
A survey of methane in groundwater was undertaken to document methane occurrence on the basis hydrogeologic setting within a glaciated 1,810-square-mile area of south-central New York along the Pennsylvania border. Sixty-six wells were sampled during the summer of 2012. All wells were at least 1 mile from any known gas well (active, exploratory, or abandoned). Results indicate strong positive andAuthorsPaul M. Heisig, Tia-Marie ScottGroundwater quality in western New York, 2011
Water samples collected from 16 production wells and 15 private residential wells in western New York from July through November 2011 were analyzed to characterize the groundwater quality. Fifteen of the wells were finished in sand and gravel aquifers, and 16 were finished in bedrock aquifers. Six of the 31 wells were sampled in a previous western New York study, which was conducted in 2006. WaterAuthorsJames E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2011
Water samples were collected from 21 production and domestic wells in the Mohawk River Basin in New York in July 2011 to characterize groundwater quality in the basin. The samples were collected and processed using standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 148 physiochemical properties and constituents, including dissolved gases, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticAuthorsElizabeth A. Nystrom, Tia-Marie ScottDissolved methane in New York groundwater, 1999-2011
New York State is underlain by numerous bedrock formations of Cambrian to Devonian age that produce natural gas and to a lesser extent oil. The first commercial gas well in the United States was dug in the early 1820s in Fredonia, south of Buffalo, New York, and produced methane from Devonian-age black shale. Methane naturally discharges to the land surface at some locations in New York. At ChestnAuthorsWilliam M. Kappel, Elizabeth A. NystromGroundwater quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010
Water samples collected from eight production wells and eight private residential wells in the Genesee River Basin from September through December 2010 were analyzed to characterize the groundwater quality in the basin. Eight of the wells were completed in sand and gravel aquifers, and eight were finished in bedrock aquifers. Three of the 16 wells were sampled in the first Genesee River Basin studAuthorsJames E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, New York, 2009
Water samples were collected from 16 production wells and 14 private residential wells in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin from August through December 2009 and were analyzed to characterize the groundwater quality in the basin. Wells at 16 of the sites were completed in sand and gravel aquifers, and 14 were finished in bedrock aquifers. In 2004–2005, six of these wells were sampled in the firstAuthorsJames E. Reddy, Amy J. Risen - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.