Miscellaneous Urban Activities

Protecting groundwater

Well Water Program

Storm-water runoff, construction, abandoned industrial sites, pre-1940 cemeteries

Urban Runoff

Contamination Evidence

  • Detection of chemical, metals, nitrates, petroleum, or other chemicals in surface water or well water tests.

Causes

  • Spills.
  • Random waste disposal.
  • Abandoned commercial/industrial sites.
  • Motor vehicle emissions.
  • Fires.

Prevention

  • Public information and education.
  • Street sweeping.
  • Anti-dumping codes.
  • Vegetated collection and infiltration basins for street and parking lot runoff.
  • Clean up abandoned commercial and industrial sites.
  • Proper cleanup of fire sites.

 

Construction Excavation

Contamination Evidence

  • Spills.
  • Changes in color, taste, odor, or turbidity of water in nearby wells.

Causes

  • Fuel and chemical spills.
  • Road dust-control chemical runoff.
  • Excessive and/or improper use of chemicals.

Prevention

  • Spill containment and cleanup procedures.
  • Follow recommended practices for safe use of fuels and other hazardous substances.

 

Abandoned Industrial Sites (e.g. Mining)

Contamination Evidence

  • (Potential) Dumping of wastes in inactive mining pits.

Causes

  • Rapid infiltration of contaminants due to loss of topsoil filtering capacity.

Prevention

  • Close unused mine pits by restoring topsoil cover (reclamation)
  • Vigilance against waste dumping in inactive mining pits.

 

Cemeteries and Excavation

Contamination Evidence

  • Detection of high bacteria levels in nearby water well tests.

Causes

  • High water table.

Prevention

  • Avoid high water tables for burial sites.
  • Use watertight caskets in cemeteries with high water tables.