Most rural residents in Pennsylvania use groundwater from domestic supply wells for drinking, cleaning and other purposes. Some groundwater samples have been analyzed for private purposes, but those results generally are not readily available to the public. Many of the publicly available water-quality samples from rural areas were collected more than 30 years ago. Quality-assured groundwater datasets established using consistent field procedures are needed to characterize current water-quality conditions in bedrock and unconsolidated aquifers tapped by domestic-supply wells in Pennsylvania.
County Level Reports
Reports (cont.)
Baseline Groundwater Quality in Pennsylvania
Several county groundwater baseline studies have already been completed and others are ongoing in Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania. The objective of each county study is to characterize the current chemical quality of groundwater from shallow freshwater aquifers used by private domestic-supply wells. All data collected helps private landowners, local communities, conservation groups, consultants and natural resource agencies to better understand current conditions and assess natural and anthropogenic influences on local aquifers.
The objective of these studies are accomplished by analyzing water samples from approximately 45-80 wells per county. Each well must meet prescribed construction criteria and is randomly selected where possible so that the findings are not biased toward wells with known water-quality issues and so all major rock types and land uses in each county are represented. Well selection, sampling, procedures, laboratory analyses, and reporting follow established USGS protocols.
Benefits and Products include the following:
- Interpretative analyses and peer-reviewed reports of scientific findings
- Analysis of a comprehensive suite of chemical characteristics
- Sampling done with consistent USGS standard procedures
- Data are available in perpetuity for public access through the National Water Information System (NWIS) or Science Base.
- Potential funding support through grant opportunities and USGS Cooperative Matching Funds
County groundwater assessments:
Potter County (Dan Galeone, Charles Cravotta, Dennis Risser) - 2017
Report Data
Clinton County (John Clune, Charles Cravotta) - 2017
Report Data
Bradford County (John Clune, Charles Cravotta) - 2016
Report Data
Pike County (Lisa Senior, Charles Cravotta) - 2015
Report Data
Lycoming County (Eliza Gross, Charles Cravotta) - 2014
Report Data
Wayne County (Lisa Senior, Ron Sloto, Charles Cravotta) - 2014
Report Data
Related USGS science
Regional Synthesis of Groundwater Quality in Domestic Supply Wells in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania
Shale Gas and Water Resources in Pennsylvania
Framework for Examining Stream Ecosystem Health in Areas of Shale Gas Development—A Multi-Parameter Watershed-Based Case Study in Pennsylvania
- Overview
Most rural residents in Pennsylvania use groundwater from domestic supply wells for drinking, cleaning and other purposes. Some groundwater samples have been analyzed for private purposes, but those results generally are not readily available to the public. Many of the publicly available water-quality samples from rural areas were collected more than 30 years ago. Quality-assured groundwater datasets established using consistent field procedures are needed to characterize current water-quality conditions in bedrock and unconsolidated aquifers tapped by domestic-supply wells in Pennsylvania.
County Level ReportsReports (cont.)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Baseline Groundwater Quality in Pennsylvania
Several county groundwater baseline studies have already been completed and others are ongoing in Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania. The objective of each county study is to characterize the current chemical quality of groundwater from shallow freshwater aquifers used by private domestic-supply wells. All data collected helps private landowners, local communities, conservation groups, consultants and natural resource agencies to better understand current conditions and assess natural and anthropogenic influences on local aquifers.
The objective of these studies are accomplished by analyzing water samples from approximately 45-80 wells per county. Each well must meet prescribed construction criteria and is randomly selected where possible so that the findings are not biased toward wells with known water-quality issues and so all major rock types and land uses in each county are represented. Well selection, sampling, procedures, laboratory analyses, and reporting follow established USGS protocols.
Benefits and Products include the following:
- Interpretative analyses and peer-reviewed reports of scientific findings
- Analysis of a comprehensive suite of chemical characteristics
- Sampling done with consistent USGS standard procedures
- Data are available in perpetuity for public access through the National Water Information System (NWIS) or Science Base.
- Potential funding support through grant opportunities and USGS Cooperative Matching Funds
County groundwater assessments:
Potter County (Dan Galeone, Charles Cravotta, Dennis Risser) - 2017
Report DataClinton County (John Clune, Charles Cravotta) - 2017
Report DataBradford County (John Clune, Charles Cravotta) - 2016
Report DataPike County (Lisa Senior, Charles Cravotta) - 2015
Report DataLycoming County (Eliza Gross, Charles Cravotta) - 2014
Report DataWayne County (Lisa Senior, Ron Sloto, Charles Cravotta) - 2014
Report Data - Science
Related USGS science
Regional Synthesis of Groundwater Quality in Domestic Supply Wells in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania
USGS synthesized groundwater quality measurements in wells to characterize regional chemical characteristics of aquifers used for domestic supply in northeast and north central Pennsylvania.Shale Gas and Water Resources in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Water Science Center and other USGS scientists are studying water availability, use, quality, and ecology associated with development of shale-gas energy resources in Pennsylvania.Framework for Examining Stream Ecosystem Health in Areas of Shale Gas Development—A Multi-Parameter Watershed-Based Case Study in Pennsylvania
In a case study of 25 headwater streams in Pennsylvania, no statistically significant associations were determined between shale gas development and geochemical tracers of produced waters or measures of microbial and macroinvertebrate community composition. Although the results are specific to the region studied, the integrated biological and geochemical framework provides a tool for examining... - Data
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