Ken Belitz (Former Employee)
Science and Products
New Study Shows High Potential for Groundwater to be Corrosive in One-Half of U.S. States
A recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide indicates that groundwater in 25 States and the District of Columbia has a high potential for being naturally corrosive. The States with the largest percentage of wells with potentially corrosive groundwater are located primarily in the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Northwest.
Groundwater Quality Research
Every day, millions of gallons of groundwater are pumped to supply drinking water for about 140 million people, almost one-half of the Nation’s population. Learn about the quality and availability of groundwater for drinking, where and why groundwater quality is degraded, and where groundwater quality is changing.
Corrosivity
Corrosivity describes how aggressive water is at corroding pipes and fixtures. Corrosive water can cause lead and copper in pipes to leach into drinking water and can eventually cause leaks in plumbing. Surface water and groundwater, both sources of drinking water, can potentially be corrosive.
Public Supply Wells
Are you among the more than 100 million people in the U.S. who relies on a public-supply well for your drinking water? Although the quality of finished drinking water from public water systems is regulated by the EPA, long-term protection and management of the raw groundwater tapped by public-supply wells requires an understanding of the occurrence of contaminants in this invisible, vital resource...
All about corrosivity
A U.S. Geological Survey assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide shows that untreated groundwater in 25 states has a high prevalence of being potentially corrosive. The states with the largest percentage of wells with potentially corrosive groundwater are located primarily in the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Northwest. These FAQs were written in conjunction with that study. In...
Filter Total Items: 32
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Filter Total Items: 207
California GAMA program: ground-water quality data in the San Diego drainages hydrogeologic province, California, 2004 California GAMA program: ground-water quality data in the San Diego drainages hydrogeologic province, California, 2004
Because of concerns over ground-water quality, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has implemented the Ground-Water Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. A primary objective of the program is to provide a current assessment of ground-water quality in areas...
Authors
Michael T. Wright, Kenneth Belitz, Carmen A. Burton
Occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the Santa Ana basin, California, 1998-2001 Occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the Santa Ana basin, California, 1998-2001
A study of the occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the highly urbanized Santa Ana Basin, California, was done as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). One-hundred and forty-eight samples were collected from 23 sites, and analyzed for pesticide compounds during the study period from November 1998 to...
Authors
Robert Kent, Kenneth Belitz, Andrea J. Altmann, Michael T. Wright, Gregory O. Mendez
An assessment of optical properties of dissolved organic material as quantitative source indicators in the Santa Ana River basin, Southern California An assessment of optical properties of dissolved organic material as quantitative source indicators in the Santa Ana River basin, Southern California
The ability to rapidly, reliably, and inexpensively characterize sources of dissolved organic material (DOM) in watersheds would allow water management agencies to more quickly identify problems in water sources, and to more efficiently allocate water resources by, for example, permitting real-time identification of high-quality water suitable for ground-water recharge, or poor-quality...
Authors
Brian A. Bergamaschi, Erica Kalve, Larry Guenther, Gregory O. Mendez, Kenneth Belitz
Evaluation of volatile organic compounds in two Mojave Desert basins-Mojave River and Antelope Valley-in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Kern Counties, California, June-October 2002 Evaluation of volatile organic compounds in two Mojave Desert basins-Mojave River and Antelope Valley-in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Kern Counties, California, June-October 2002
The California Aquifer Susceptibility Assessment of the Ground-Water Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program was developed to assess water quality and susceptibility of ground-water resources to contamination from surficial sources. This study focuses on the Mojave River and the Antelope Valley ground-water basins in southern California. Volatile organic compound (VOC) data were...
Authors
Jill N. Densmore, Kenneth Belitz, Michael T. Wright, Barbara J. Dawson, Tyler D. Johnson
Occurrence and distribution of volatile organic compounds and pesticides in ground water in relation to hydrogeologic characteristics and land use in the Santa Ana basin, southern California Occurrence and distribution of volatile organic compounds and pesticides in ground water in relation to hydrogeologic characteristics and land use in the Santa Ana basin, southern California
This report presents an evaluation of the occurrence and distribution of VOCs and pesticides in the Santa Ana ground-water basins in relation to two types of explanatory factors: hydrogeologic characteristics and land use. The Santa Ana Basin is subdivided into the San Jacinto, the Inland, and the Coastal ground-water basins. Most wells sampled were deep and used for public supply. Data...
Authors
Scott N. Hamlin, Kenneth Belitz, Tyler D. Johnson
Comparison of the lognormal and beta distribution functions to describe the uncertainty in permeability Comparison of the lognormal and beta distribution functions to describe the uncertainty in permeability
The permeability of a single hydrostratigraphic unit is associated with considerable uncertainty due to measurement errors and significant spatial variability. Historically this uncertainty is characterized by a lognormal distribution. This distribution is generally heavy tailed, so using this distribution to describe the permeability has the limitation that all positive values of...
Authors
K.L. Ricciardi, G.F. Pinder, K. Belitz
Algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in an effluent dominated concrete lined stream Algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in an effluent dominated concrete lined stream
This study examined algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in a 2.85 km reach of Cucamonga Creek, California, a concrete lined channel receiving treated municipal wastewater. Stream nitrate concentrations observed at two stations indicated nearly continuous loss throughout the diel study. Nitrate loss in the reach was approximately 11 mg/L/d or 1.0 g/m2/d as N, most of which...
Authors
Robert Kent, Kenneth Belitz, Carmen A. Burton
Assessing water source and channel type as factors affecting benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California Assessing water source and channel type as factors affecting benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California
The Santa Ana River basin is the largest stream system in Southern California and includes a densely populated coastal area. Extensive urbanization has altered the geomorphology and hydrology of the streams, adversely affecting aquatic communities. We studied macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in relation to two categorical features of the highly engineered hydrologic system...
Authors
Carmen A. Burton, Larry R. Brown, Kenneth Belitz
Aquatic assemblages of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California Aquatic assemblages of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California
We assessed the structure of periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblages and their associations with environmental variables at 17 sites on streams of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River basin in Southern California. All assemblages exhibited strong differences between highly urbanized sites in the valley and the least-impacted sites at the transition between the valley...
Authors
Larry R. Brown, Carmen A. Burton, Kenneth Belitz
Estimation of a water budget for 1972-2000 for the Grasslands Area, central part of the Western San Joaquin Valley, California Estimation of a water budget for 1972-2000 for the Grasslands Area, central part of the Western San Joaquin Valley, California
Equitable implementation of regulations restricting discharges from agricultural drains into the San Joaquin River requires a greater understanding of the influence of extreme precipitation events on the ground-water flow system. As part of a larger investigation, this study estimated ground-water recharge and ground-water pumpage, two important components of the water budget in the...
Authors
Charles F. Brush, Kenneth Belitz, Steven P. Phillips
Assessing the susceptibility to contamination of two aquifer systems used for public water supply in the Modesto and Fresno metropolitan areas, California, 2001 and 2002 Assessing the susceptibility to contamination of two aquifer systems used for public water supply in the Modesto and Fresno metropolitan areas, California, 2001 and 2002
Ground-water samples were collected from 90 active public supply wells in the Fresno and Modesto metropolitan areas as part of the California Aquifer Susceptibility (CAS) program. The CAS program was formed to examine the susceptibility to contamination of aquifers that are tapped by public supply wells to serve the citizens of California. The objectives of the program are twofold: (1)...
Authors
Michael T. Wright, Kenneth Belitz, Tyler D. Johnson
Ground-water ambient monitoring and assessment program Ground-water ambient monitoring and assessment program
No abstract available.
Authors
Justin T. Kulongoski, Kenneth Belitz
Science and Products
New Study Shows High Potential for Groundwater to be Corrosive in One-Half of U.S. States
A recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide indicates that groundwater in 25 States and the District of Columbia has a high potential for being naturally corrosive. The States with the largest percentage of wells with potentially corrosive groundwater are located primarily in the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Northwest.
Groundwater Quality Research
Every day, millions of gallons of groundwater are pumped to supply drinking water for about 140 million people, almost one-half of the Nation’s population. Learn about the quality and availability of groundwater for drinking, where and why groundwater quality is degraded, and where groundwater quality is changing.
Corrosivity
Corrosivity describes how aggressive water is at corroding pipes and fixtures. Corrosive water can cause lead and copper in pipes to leach into drinking water and can eventually cause leaks in plumbing. Surface water and groundwater, both sources of drinking water, can potentially be corrosive.
Public Supply Wells
Are you among the more than 100 million people in the U.S. who relies on a public-supply well for your drinking water? Although the quality of finished drinking water from public water systems is regulated by the EPA, long-term protection and management of the raw groundwater tapped by public-supply wells requires an understanding of the occurrence of contaminants in this invisible, vital resource...
All about corrosivity
A U.S. Geological Survey assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide shows that untreated groundwater in 25 states has a high prevalence of being potentially corrosive. The states with the largest percentage of wells with potentially corrosive groundwater are located primarily in the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Northwest. These FAQs were written in conjunction with that study. In...
Filter Total Items: 32
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 207
California GAMA program: ground-water quality data in the San Diego drainages hydrogeologic province, California, 2004 California GAMA program: ground-water quality data in the San Diego drainages hydrogeologic province, California, 2004
Because of concerns over ground-water quality, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has implemented the Ground-Water Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. A primary objective of the program is to provide a current assessment of ground-water quality in areas...
Authors
Michael T. Wright, Kenneth Belitz, Carmen A. Burton
Occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the Santa Ana basin, California, 1998-2001 Occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the Santa Ana basin, California, 1998-2001
A study of the occurrence and distribution of pesticide compounds in surface water of the highly urbanized Santa Ana Basin, California, was done as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). One-hundred and forty-eight samples were collected from 23 sites, and analyzed for pesticide compounds during the study period from November 1998 to...
Authors
Robert Kent, Kenneth Belitz, Andrea J. Altmann, Michael T. Wright, Gregory O. Mendez
An assessment of optical properties of dissolved organic material as quantitative source indicators in the Santa Ana River basin, Southern California An assessment of optical properties of dissolved organic material as quantitative source indicators in the Santa Ana River basin, Southern California
The ability to rapidly, reliably, and inexpensively characterize sources of dissolved organic material (DOM) in watersheds would allow water management agencies to more quickly identify problems in water sources, and to more efficiently allocate water resources by, for example, permitting real-time identification of high-quality water suitable for ground-water recharge, or poor-quality...
Authors
Brian A. Bergamaschi, Erica Kalve, Larry Guenther, Gregory O. Mendez, Kenneth Belitz
Evaluation of volatile organic compounds in two Mojave Desert basins-Mojave River and Antelope Valley-in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Kern Counties, California, June-October 2002 Evaluation of volatile organic compounds in two Mojave Desert basins-Mojave River and Antelope Valley-in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Kern Counties, California, June-October 2002
The California Aquifer Susceptibility Assessment of the Ground-Water Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program was developed to assess water quality and susceptibility of ground-water resources to contamination from surficial sources. This study focuses on the Mojave River and the Antelope Valley ground-water basins in southern California. Volatile organic compound (VOC) data were...
Authors
Jill N. Densmore, Kenneth Belitz, Michael T. Wright, Barbara J. Dawson, Tyler D. Johnson
Occurrence and distribution of volatile organic compounds and pesticides in ground water in relation to hydrogeologic characteristics and land use in the Santa Ana basin, southern California Occurrence and distribution of volatile organic compounds and pesticides in ground water in relation to hydrogeologic characteristics and land use in the Santa Ana basin, southern California
This report presents an evaluation of the occurrence and distribution of VOCs and pesticides in the Santa Ana ground-water basins in relation to two types of explanatory factors: hydrogeologic characteristics and land use. The Santa Ana Basin is subdivided into the San Jacinto, the Inland, and the Coastal ground-water basins. Most wells sampled were deep and used for public supply. Data...
Authors
Scott N. Hamlin, Kenneth Belitz, Tyler D. Johnson
Comparison of the lognormal and beta distribution functions to describe the uncertainty in permeability Comparison of the lognormal and beta distribution functions to describe the uncertainty in permeability
The permeability of a single hydrostratigraphic unit is associated with considerable uncertainty due to measurement errors and significant spatial variability. Historically this uncertainty is characterized by a lognormal distribution. This distribution is generally heavy tailed, so using this distribution to describe the permeability has the limitation that all positive values of...
Authors
K.L. Ricciardi, G.F. Pinder, K. Belitz
Algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in an effluent dominated concrete lined stream Algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in an effluent dominated concrete lined stream
This study examined algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in a 2.85 km reach of Cucamonga Creek, California, a concrete lined channel receiving treated municipal wastewater. Stream nitrate concentrations observed at two stations indicated nearly continuous loss throughout the diel study. Nitrate loss in the reach was approximately 11 mg/L/d or 1.0 g/m2/d as N, most of which...
Authors
Robert Kent, Kenneth Belitz, Carmen A. Burton
Assessing water source and channel type as factors affecting benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California Assessing water source and channel type as factors affecting benthic macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California
The Santa Ana River basin is the largest stream system in Southern California and includes a densely populated coastal area. Extensive urbanization has altered the geomorphology and hydrology of the streams, adversely affecting aquatic communities. We studied macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in relation to two categorical features of the highly engineered hydrologic system...
Authors
Carmen A. Burton, Larry R. Brown, Kenneth Belitz
Aquatic assemblages of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California Aquatic assemblages of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River Basin, California
We assessed the structure of periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblages and their associations with environmental variables at 17 sites on streams of the highly urbanized Santa Ana River basin in Southern California. All assemblages exhibited strong differences between highly urbanized sites in the valley and the least-impacted sites at the transition between the valley...
Authors
Larry R. Brown, Carmen A. Burton, Kenneth Belitz
Estimation of a water budget for 1972-2000 for the Grasslands Area, central part of the Western San Joaquin Valley, California Estimation of a water budget for 1972-2000 for the Grasslands Area, central part of the Western San Joaquin Valley, California
Equitable implementation of regulations restricting discharges from agricultural drains into the San Joaquin River requires a greater understanding of the influence of extreme precipitation events on the ground-water flow system. As part of a larger investigation, this study estimated ground-water recharge and ground-water pumpage, two important components of the water budget in the...
Authors
Charles F. Brush, Kenneth Belitz, Steven P. Phillips
Assessing the susceptibility to contamination of two aquifer systems used for public water supply in the Modesto and Fresno metropolitan areas, California, 2001 and 2002 Assessing the susceptibility to contamination of two aquifer systems used for public water supply in the Modesto and Fresno metropolitan areas, California, 2001 and 2002
Ground-water samples were collected from 90 active public supply wells in the Fresno and Modesto metropolitan areas as part of the California Aquifer Susceptibility (CAS) program. The CAS program was formed to examine the susceptibility to contamination of aquifers that are tapped by public supply wells to serve the citizens of California. The objectives of the program are twofold: (1)...
Authors
Michael T. Wright, Kenneth Belitz, Tyler D. Johnson
Ground-water ambient monitoring and assessment program Ground-water ambient monitoring and assessment program
No abstract available.
Authors
Justin T. Kulongoski, Kenneth Belitz
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government