Regional Synthesis of Groundwater Quality in Domestic Supply Wells in Northeast and North Central Pennsylvania

Independent county-wide groundwater quality investigations were completed during 2011-2017 by the USGS for seven counties in the northern tier of Pennsylvania where there is ongoing, or potential for, unconventional shale-gas development. The studies used consistent data collection and reporting procedures. County-level reports were published by the USGS that describe quality of water samples from home-owner wells in relation to human health and potential environmental factors affecting the groundwater composition.

The objective of this project was to complete a regional synthesis of groundwater chemical  characteristics for aquifers used for domestic supply in northeast and north central Pennsylvania. Available hydrochemical data from 436 domestic wells that were sampled during 2011-2017 and reported by the USGS for seven counties in the northern tier of Pennsylvania as part of county-wide assessments were summarized and evaluated in relation to geology, land use, and other environmental factors, such as hydrogeologic setting. 

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