Elevated nitrate levels in Nevada region groundwater assessed in study
CARSON CITY, NV, Dec. 4, 2013 -- A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
study reveals that
septic tanks in Carson Valley, Nev., are contaminating
groundwater across the region with concentrations of nitrates,
posing human health risks from contaminated drinking water. Conducted on a larger scale than previous investigations, the study showed that the amount of nitrate contamination is two times greater in suburban areas dominated by single-family homes with septic tanks, compared to areas that are more rural, with fewer homes on the land. Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater are of concern due to human health risks associated with drinking contaminated water and the possibility of an overabundance of nutrients in the Carson River, leading to harmful algal blooms or fish kills. Nitrate concentrations in water from monitoring wells and from domestic wells have been increasing at a slightly higher rate since the mid-1980s and are anticipated to continue to increase in the future under current land-use practices. To estimate how high the concentrations may be in the future and
evaluate possible mitigation, computer models were used to assess future
nitrate concentrations with continued use and removal of septic systems
and the potential influence of domestic well-water pumping. With the
support of Nevada's Douglas County and Carson Water Subconservancy
District, USGS scientists investigated sources and transport of nitrates
in the
alluvial aquifer underlying the Carson Valley in Douglas County.
The study found that the continued use of septic systems for treatment of domestic waste results in ongoing loading of nitrates to the aquifer. Increasing over time, this will result in the extent of the nitrate plume in the aquifer with concentrations exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level of 10 milligrams per liter. The concentration of nitrates in the aquifer below Carson Valley is affected by the input from septic systems and the withdrawal by domestic well-water pumping. Results from computer models indicate that nitrate concentrations may decline if septic tank systems are removed but can remain in the aquifer more than 30 years if not pumped out. Nitrate concentrations may decline more rapidly with the removal of septic tanks and continuation of domestic pumping, but this comes with greater risks to human health due to the ongoing consumptive use of groundwater in areas with elevated nitrate concentrations. Modeled nitrate concentrations decline at a slower rate when both septic tank systems are removed and domestic wells are abandoned, reducing the risk to human health but prolonging the persistence of nitrate in the aquifer. Ongoing monitoring of the nitrate concentrations in groundwater and surface water, including the discharge of nitrates to the Carson River from groundwater, is needed and would help scientists to understand the current distribution and future occurrence and movement of nitrates and other effluent-related compounds in the high concentration areas. See also: "Carson river water users battle arsenic." Copyright © 2013: PennWell Corporation To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.waterworld.com |