Groundwater Quality in Principal Aquifers of the Nation, 1991–2010 Completed
What’s in your groundwater? Learn about groundwater quality in the Principal Aquifers of nine regions across the United States in informative circulars filled with figures, photos, and water-quality information.
Groundwater is our invisible, vital resource—more than 75 billion gallons are pumped each day, and 155 million people rely on groundwater for drinking water. Although groundwater is a safe, reliable source of drinking water for millions of people nationwide, high concentrations of some chemical constituents can pose potential human-health concerns. Some of these contaminants come from the rocks and sediments of the aquifers themselves, and others are chemicals that we use in agriculture, industry, and day-to-day life.
When groundwater supplies are contaminated, millions of dollars can be required for treatment so that the supplies can be usable. Contaminants in groundwater can also affect the health of our streams and valuable coastal waters. By knowing where contaminants occur in groundwater, what factors control contaminant concentrations, and what kinds of changes in groundwater quality might be expected in the future, we can ensure the availability and quality of this vital natural resource in the future.
Based on thousands of samples collected from 1991 to 2010, the National Water-Quality Assessment Project has created informative circulars on water quality and the factors that affect it for each of nine regions, comprising 20 Principal Aquifers—regionally extensive aquifers that supply groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. The results for the Nation are summarized in a single circular. Samples were collected from 6,600 public-supply, domestic (private), and monitoring wells, and analyzed for a wide range of contaminants and constituents, including pesticides, nutrients, and radionuclides. Explanations of the findings presented in these circulars improve our understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the occurrence of contaminants in the Nation’s groundwater.
Learn more about USGS research on groundwater.
Major Findings
- Contaminants from geologic or manmade sources were a potential human-health concern in one of every five wells sampled in the parts of aquifers used for drinking water;
- Differences in geology, hydrology, geochemistry, and chemical use explain how and why aquifer vulnerability and concentrations of contaminants vary across the Nation;
- Changes to groundwater flow have also altered groundwater quality;
- Our actions today are determining groundwater quality for decades to come.
Click on the "Related Science" tab to find out more about our Nation's groundwater quality.
Follow the links below to the web pages below to learn about more USGS science on groundwater quality.
Full-color circulars are available for each of the nine Principal Aquifers as well as one that summarizes results for the Nation. Each circular describes the quality of the groundwater in that aquifer and the natural processes and human activities that affect it.
The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in principal aquifers of the United States, 1991-2010
Water quality in the Acadian-Pontchartrain drainages: Louisiana and Mississippi, 1999–2001
Water quality in the Mississippi Embayment; Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky
Water quality in the upper Tennessee River basin, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia 1994-98
Water quality in the Long Island-New Jersey coastal drainages, New York and New Jersey, 1996–98
Water quality in the upper Colorado River basin, Colorado, 1996-98
Water quality in the Puget Sound basin, Washington and British Columbia, 1996-98
Water quality in the central Arizona basins, Arizona, 1995-98
Water quality in the Santee River basin and coastal drainages, North and South Carolina, 1995-98
Water quality in the Trinity River basin, Texas, 1992-95
Water quality in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1992-95
Water quality in the Willamette Basin, Oregon, 1991-95
Water quality in the White River basin, Indiana, 1992-96
Below are data or web applications associated with groundwater quality.
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Overview
What’s in your groundwater? Learn about groundwater quality in the Principal Aquifers of nine regions across the United States in informative circulars filled with figures, photos, and water-quality information.
Groundwater is our invisible, vital resource—more than 75 billion gallons are pumped each day, and 155 million people rely on groundwater for drinking water. Although groundwater is a safe, reliable source of drinking water for millions of people nationwide, high concentrations of some chemical constituents can pose potential human-health concerns. Some of these contaminants come from the rocks and sediments of the aquifers themselves, and others are chemicals that we use in agriculture, industry, and day-to-day life.
When groundwater supplies are contaminated, millions of dollars can be required for treatment so that the supplies can be usable. Contaminants in groundwater can also affect the health of our streams and valuable coastal waters. By knowing where contaminants occur in groundwater, what factors control contaminant concentrations, and what kinds of changes in groundwater quality might be expected in the future, we can ensure the availability and quality of this vital natural resource in the future.
Based on thousands of samples collected from 1991 to 2010, the National Water-Quality Assessment Project has created informative circulars on water quality and the factors that affect it for each of nine regions, comprising 20 Principal Aquifers—regionally extensive aquifers that supply groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. The results for the Nation are summarized in a single circular. Samples were collected from 6,600 public-supply, domestic (private), and monitoring wells, and analyzed for a wide range of contaminants and constituents, including pesticides, nutrients, and radionuclides. Explanations of the findings presented in these circulars improve our understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the occurrence of contaminants in the Nation’s groundwater.
Learn more about USGS research on groundwater.
Major Findings
- Contaminants from geologic or manmade sources were a potential human-health concern in one of every five wells sampled in the parts of aquifers used for drinking water;
- Differences in geology, hydrology, geochemistry, and chemical use explain how and why aquifer vulnerability and concentrations of contaminants vary across the Nation;
- Changes to groundwater flow have also altered groundwater quality;
- Our actions today are determining groundwater quality for decades to come.
Click on the "Related Science" tab to find out more about our Nation's groundwater quality.
- Science
Follow the links below to the web pages below to learn about more USGS science on groundwater quality.
- Publications
Full-color circulars are available for each of the nine Principal Aquifers as well as one that summarizes results for the Nation. Each circular describes the quality of the groundwater in that aquifer and the natural processes and human activities that affect it.
The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in principal aquifers of the United States, 1991-2010
About 130 million people in the United States rely on groundwater for drinking water, and the need for high-quality drinking-water supplies becomes more urgent as our population grows. Although groundwater is a safe, reliable source of drinking water for millions of people nationwide, high concentrations of some chemical constituents can pose potential human-health concerns. Some of these contaminAuthorsLeslie A. DeSimone, Peter B. McMahon, Michael R. RosenFilter Total Items: 39Water quality in the Acadian-Pontchartrain drainages: Louisiana and Mississippi, 1999–2001
This report contains the major findings of a 1999-2001 assessment of water quality in the Acadian-Pontchartrain Drainages Study Unit. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation. In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regionalAuthorsDennis K. Demcheck, Roland W. Tollett, Scott V. Mize, Stanley C. Skrobialowski, Robert B. Fendick, Christopher M. Swarzenski, Stephen PorterWater quality in the Mississippi Embayment; Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky
No abstract available.AuthorsBarbara A. Kleiss, Richard H. Coupe, Gerard Gonthier, B. G. JustusWater quality in the upper Tennessee River basin, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia 1994-98
This report summarizes major findings about water quality in the upper Tennessee River basin that emerged from an assessment conducted between 1994 and 1998 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Water quality is discussed in terms of local and regional issues and compared to conditions found in all 36 NAWQA study areas, called study units, assessedAuthorsPaul S. Hampson, M.W. Treece, Gregory C. Johnson, Steven A. Ahlstedt, Joseph F. ConnellWater quality in the Long Island-New Jersey coastal drainages, New York and New Jersey, 1996–98
No abstract available.AuthorsMark A. Ayers, Jonathan Kennen, Paul E. StackelbergWater quality in the upper Colorado River basin, Colorado, 1996-98
This report summarizes major findings about water quality in the upper Colorado River basin that emerged from an assessment conducted between 1996 and 1998 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Water quality is discussed in terms of local and regional issues and compared to conditions found in all 36 NAWQA study areas assessed to date. Findings areAuthorsNorman E. Spahr, Lori E. Apodaca, Jeffrey R. Deacon, Jeffrey B. Bails, Nancy J. Bauch, C. Michelle Smith, Nancy E. DriverWater quality in the Puget Sound basin, Washington and British Columbia, 1996-98
Puget Sound basin streams during 1995-98 met most guidelines and criteria. Seventy-four manmade compounds were detected and different mixtures linked to land use. Urban expansion into forested areas is changing stream habitats--urban and agricultural streams are warmer and support less diverse insect populations than streams in forested areas. Elevated nitrate concentrations and the presence of maAuthorsJames C. Ebbert, Sandra S. Embrey, Robert W. Black, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Alan L. HagglandWater quality in the central Arizona basins, Arizona, 1995-98
The water quality in rivers and streams and in selected aquifers in central Arizona basins in Arizona is described and illustrated. Major ions, nitrogen and other nutrients, and pesticides and some of their breakdown compounds were analyzed in both surface and ground water. Biological communities that included fish, invertebrates, and algae, were described in relation to stream water quality. VolaAuthorsGail E. Cordy, Dorinda J. Gellenbeck, Joseph B. Gebler, David W. Anning, Alissa L. Coes, Robert J. Edmonds, Julie A.H. Rees, H. W. SangerWater quality in the Santee River basin and coastal drainages, North and South Carolina, 1995-98
Surface water sampled in the Santee River basin and coastal drainages generally meets existing Federal and State guidelines for drinking-water quality and protection of aquatic life. However, urban and agricultural land uses have affected water quality, as indicated by elevated concentrations of bacteria, pesticides, and nutrients in basins dominated by these land uses.AuthorsW. Brian Hughes, Thomas A. Abrahamsen, Terry L. Maluk, Eric J. Reuber, Lance J. WilhelmWater quality in the Trinity River basin, Texas, 1992-95
Water quality in the Trinity River basin was studied during 1992-95 as part of the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Studies included chemical sampling of streams, streambed sediments, biota, and ground water; measuring distributions of biological communities in streams; and measuring physical characteristics of streams that affect biological habitat. The sampling design, inAuthorsLarry F. Land, J. Bruce Moring, Peter C. Van Metre, David C. Reutter, Barbara Mahler, Allison A. Shipp, Randy L. UleryWater quality in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1992-95
This report is intended to summarize major findings that emerged between 1992 and 1995 from the water-quality assessment of the River River of the North basin study unit and to relate these findings to water-quality issues of regional and national concern. The information in primarily intended for those who are involved in water-resource management. Yet the information contained here may also inteAuthorsJeffrey D. Stoner, D. L. Lorenz, R. M. Goldstein, M. E. Brigham, T.K. CowderyWater quality in the Willamette Basin, Oregon, 1991-95
This report is intended to summarize major findings that emerged between 1991 and 1995 from the water-quality assessment of the Willamette Basin Study Unit and to relate these findings to water-quality issues of regional and national concern. The information is primarily intended for those who are involved in water-resource management. Yet, the information contained here may also interest those whAuthorsDennis A. Wentz, Bernadine A. Bonn, Kurt D. Carpenter, Stephen R. Hinkle, Mary L. Janet, Frank A. Rinella, Mark A. Uhrich, Ian R. Waite, Antonius Laenen, Kenneth E. BencalaWater quality in the White River basin, Indiana, 1992-96
No abstract available.AuthorsJoseph M. Fenelon - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with groundwater quality.
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.