Trends in and the Occurrence and Distribution of Organic Chemicals and Nutrients in Public Drinking-Water Supplies in the Surficial Aquifer in Delaware

Objectives

Previous study of the surficial aquifer in 2000 found that low concentrations of pesticide and volatile organic compounds were present in the source water supplying 30 randomly-located drinking water wells throughout Delaware (Ferrari, 2002; http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2001/ofr01-327/pdf/ofr-01-327.pdf).The primary objective of the current study is to document any changes in water chemistry of Groundwater in the surficial aquifer used for public supply between 2000 and 2008. All wells will be sampled for the same set of organic contaminants and nutrients that were done in 2000, along with major ions and field parameters. As such, water samples will be collected and analyzed for pesticides, pesticides metabolites, nutrients, major ions, dissolved organic carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Statement of Problem

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Strategy and Approach

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