305b Groundwater Quality Monitoring in New York Active
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.
Below are data associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Groundwater quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2010
Groundwater quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009
Groundwater quality in the Chemung River Basin, New York, 2008
Groundwater quality in the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin, New York, 2008
Groundwater quality in the Lower Hudson River Basin, New York, 2008
Ground-Water Quality in the Upper Hudson River Basin, New York, 2007
Groundwater Quality in Central New York, 2007
Ground-Water Quality in Western New York, 2006
Ground-Water Quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006
Ground-Water Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005-2006
Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-2006
Ground-Water Quality in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005-06
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.
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.
- Data
Below are data associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 27Groundwater quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2010
Water samples were collected from 10 production and domestic wells in the Delaware River Basin in New York and from 20 production and domestic wells in the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York from August through November 2010 to characterize groundwater quality in the basins. The samples were collected and processed by standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 147 physiocheAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGroundwater quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009
Water was sampled from 20 production and domestic wells from August through November 2009 to characterize groundwater quality in the Lake Champlain Basin in New York. Of the 20 wells sampled, 8 were completed in sand and gravel, and 12 were completed in bedrock. The samples were collected and processed by standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 147 physiochemical propertieAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGroundwater quality in the Chemung River Basin, New York, 2008
The second groundwater quality study of the Chemung River Basin in south-central New York was conducted as part of the U.S. Geological Survey 305(b) water-quality-monitoring program. Water samples were collected from five production wells and five private residential wells from October through December 2008. The samples were analyzed to characterize the chemical quality of the groundwater. Five ofAuthorsAmy J. Risen, James E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin, New York, 2008
Water samples were collected from nine production wells and nine private residential wells in the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin of New York from August through October 2008 and analyzed to characterize the chemical quality of groundwater. The wells were selected to provide adequate spatial coverage of the 3,225-square-mile study area; areas of greatest groundwater use were emphasized. Eight of the 18AuthorsAmy J. Risen, James E. ReddyGroundwater quality in the Lower Hudson River Basin, New York, 2008
Water samples were collected from 32 production and domestic wells in the study area from August through November 2008 to characterize the groundwater quality. The study area, which covers 5,607 square miles, encompasses the part of the Lower Hudson River Basin that lies within New York plus the parts of the Housatonic, Hackensack, Bronx, and Saugatuck River Basins that are in New York. The studyAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGround-Water Quality in the Upper Hudson River Basin, New York, 2007
Water samples were collected from 25 production and domestic wells in the Upper Hudson River Basin (north of the Federal Dam at Troy, N.Y.) from August through November 2007 to characterize the ground-water quality. The Upper Hudson River Basin covers 4,600 square miles in upstate New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts; the study area encompasses the 4,000 square miles that lie within New York. TheAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGroundwater Quality in Central New York, 2007
Water samples were collected from 7 production wells and 28 private residential wells in central New York from August through December 2007 and analyzed to characterize the chemical quality of groundwater. Seventeen wells are screened in sand and gravel aquifers, and 18 are finished in bedrock aquifers. The wells were selected to represent areas of greatest groundwater use and to provide a geograpAuthorsDavid A.V. Eckhardt, J.E. Reddy, Stephen B. ShawGround-Water Quality in Western New York, 2006
Water samples were collected from 7 production wells and 26 private residential wells in western New York from August through December 2006 and analyzed to characterize the chemical quality of ground water. Wells at 15 of the sites were screened in sand and gravel aquifers, and 18 were finished in bedrock aquifers. The wells were selected to represent areas of greatest ground-water use and to provAuthorsDavid A.V. Eckhardt, James E. Reddy, Kathryn L. TamulonisGround-Water Quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006
Water samples were collected from 27 wells from August through November 2006 to characterize ground-water quality in the Mohawk River Basin. The Mohawk River Basin covers 3,500 square miles in central New York; most of the basin is underlain by sedimentary bedrock, including shale, sandstone, and carbonates. Sand and gravel form the most productive aquifers in the basin. Samples were collected froAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGround-Water Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005-2006
Water samples were collected from 7 community water system wells and 15 private domestic wells throughout the Genesee River Basin in New York State (downstream from the Pennsylvania border) from October 2005 through March 2006 and analyzed to characterize the chemical quality of ground water in the basin. The wells were selected to represent areas of greatest ground-water use and to provide a reprAuthorsDavid A.V. Eckhardt, J.E. Reddy, Kathryn L. TamulonisGround-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-2006
The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 require that States monitor and report on the quality of ground water and surface water. To satisfy part of these requirements, the U.S. Geological Survey and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have developed a program in which ground-water quality is assessed in 2 to 3 of New York State's 14 major basins each year. To characterizAuthorsElizabeth A. NystromGround-Water Quality in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005-06
The Federal Clean Water Act requires that States monitor and report on the quality of ground water and surface water. To satisfy part of these requirements, the U.S. Geological Survey and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have developed a program in which ground-water quality is assessed in 2 to 3 of New York State's 14 major river basins each year. To characterize the qualitAuthorsElizabeth A. Nystrom - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.