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The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05

January 1, 2014

Availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system depend on water quantity and water quality. The Denver Basin aquifer system underlies about 7,000 square miles of the Great Plains in eastern Colorado and is the primary or sole source of water for domestic and public supply in many areas of the basin. Use of groundwater from the Denver Basin sandstone aquifers has been instrumental for development of the south Denver metropolitan area and other areas, but has resulted in a decline in water levels in some parts of the system. Human activities in many areas have adversely affected the quality of water in the aquifer system, especially the shallow parts. Groundwater in deeper parts of the system used for drinking water, once considered isolated from the effects of overlying land use, is increasingly vulnerable to contamination from human activities and geologic materials. Availability and sustainability of high-quality groundwater are vital to the economic health of the Denver Basin area.

Publication Year 2014
Title The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05
DOI 10.3133/cir1357
Authors Nancy J. Bauch, MaryLynn Musgrove, Barbara Mahler, Suzanne Paschke
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Circular
Series Number 1357
Index ID cir1357
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization National Water Quality Assessment Program