Volatile Organic Compound and Pesticide Data for Public Water-Supply Reservoirs and Wells, Texas, 1999-2001
Abstract
To provide data for the Texas Source-Water Assessment and Protection Program, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a synoptic survey of 48 public water-supply reservoirs and 174 public water-supply wells during 1999-2001. The surface-water samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds and soluble pesticides. The ground-water samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds and soluble pesticides, as well as nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen and tritium. One or more volatile organic compounds were detected in 75 percent of the reservoirs and in 9 percent of the wells. Methyl tert-butyl ether was detected most frequently in reservoirs, and toluene was detected most frequently in wells. One or more pesticides were detected in 96 percent of the reservoirs and in 33 percent of the wells. Atrazine or its breakdown product deethylatrazine was the most frequently detected pesticide. Volatile organic compounds and pesticides were not detected at concentrations exceeding the maximum contaminant level allowed in drinking water. The only constituent sampled for that exceeded its maximum contaminant level (10 milligrams per liter) was nitrate nitrogen (in 8 percent of the 174 wells). systems to contamination. This information will, in turn, help identify systems that might be eligible for reduced monitoring or that might require additional monitoring. Assessment of susceptibility to contamination would enable more efficient use of monitoring and protection dollars. The assessment of the susceptibility of water supplies to contamination requires accurate, consistent, and technically defensible data on the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pesticides at low detection levels in source waters for public water supply (PWS). These data are needed to determine what factors or activities might contribute to contamination, which source waters are most vulnerable to contamination, and where, and for which pollutants, monitoring should be intensified or reduced.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA441255
Entities
People
- B. J. Mahler
- Eric W. Strom
- Lynne Fahlquist
- M. G. Canova
- M. O. Gary
- Michael E. Dorsey
Organizations
- United States Department of the Interior