Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in the Coachella Valley in the desert region of southern California. Although most people in Coachella Valley are served by public drinking-water systems, about 20,000 people rely on private domestic or small-system wells (referred to herein as domestic wells). Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that 39 percent of the groundwater resources used by domestic wells in Coachella Valley contained arsenic, fluoride, or both constituents at concentrations greater than the maximum contaminant levels established for public drinking-water systems. Uranium, chromium, nitrate, and perchlorate were detected at moderate concentrations below maximum contaminant levels. Elevated (above background) perchlorate concentrations in some areas indicate that domestic wells may receive recharge from Colorado River water used for irrigation or aquifer replenishment. Moderate total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations throughout the study area and the co-occurrence of high concentrations of TDS and perchlorate indicates that Colorado River water is a source of recharge in the southeastern Indio groundwater subbasin. Four volatile organic compounds were detected at low concentrations, and pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were not detected.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Title | Quality of groundwater used for domestic drinking-water supply in the Coachella Valley, 2020 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20221122 |
| Authors | Andrew L. Soldavini, Jennifer S. Harkness, Zeno F. Levy, Miranda S. Fram |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Open-File Report |
| Series Number | 2022-1122 |
| Index ID | ofr20221122 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | California Water Science Center |
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Groundwater-quality data in the Coachella Valley Domestic Supply Aquifer Study Unit, 2020: Results from the California GAMA Priority Basin Project
The U.S. Geological Survey collected groundwater samples from 38 wells used for domestic and small system drinking water supply in the Coachella Valley of California in 2020. The wells were sampled for the Coachella Valley Basin (CODA) Domestic Aquifer Study Unit of the California State Water Resources Control Board Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program Priority Basin Projec - Connect
Miranda Fram
Program Chief, Statewide and National Water Quality AssessmentsEmailPhone