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An Overview of Groundwater Quality in Texas

An Overview of Groundwater Quality in Texas. Cary L. Betz, P. G. Groundwater Planning and Assessment Team, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found.

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An Overview of Groundwater Quality in Texas

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  1. An Overview of Groundwater Quality in Texas Cary L. Betz, P. G. Groundwater Planning and Assessment Team, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

  2. While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .

  3. While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .

  4. While much of the spotlight has been focused on determining how much groundwater is available, and where it is found . . .

  5. Sampling and analysis of groundwater quality has also been taking place.

  6. Groundwater Quality Programs • USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program

  7. Groundwater Quality Programs • USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program • TWDB Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program

  8. Groundwater Quality Programs • USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program • TWDB Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program • TCEQ Public Water Supply Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program

  9. NAWQA • South Central Texas

  10. NAWQA • South Central Texas • Trinity River Basin

  11. NAWQA • South Central Texas • Trinity River Basin • High Plains Regional Ground Water Study

  12. Ambient Groundwater Monitoring • 129,826 wells

  13. Ambient Groundwater Monitoring • 129,826 wells • Anions, Cations, and Infrequent Constituents

  14. Ambient Groundwater Monitoring • 129,826 wells • Anions, Cations, and Infrequent Constituents • Major Aquifers

  15. Ambient Groundwater Monitoring • 129,826 wells • Anions, Cations, and Infrequent Constituents • Major Aquifers • Minor Aquifers

  16. Ambient Groundwater Monitoring • 129,826 wells • Anions, Cations, and Infrequent Constituents • Major Aquifers • Minor Aquifers • Basis for the groundwater portion of the State’s Water Quality Inventory (305(b) report)

  17. Public Drinking Water Monitoring • Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems

  18. Public Drinking Water Monitoring • Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems • Large suite of potential drinking water contaminants

  19. Public Drinking Water Monitoring • Monitors “Entry Points” to Public Water Supply Systems • Large suite of potential drinking water contaminants • Will be integrated into the 2004 Water Quality Inventory

  20. The Water Quality Inventory • For the past three report cycles, has represented selected Ambient Groundwater Monitoring data in a graphic format using GIS software

  21. The Water Quality Inventory • Nitrate was selected as the contaminant to be represented. Maps were constructed using the most recent data gathered for the major and minor aquifers

  22. The Water Quality Inventory

  23. The Water Quality Inventory • For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically

  24. The Water Quality Inventory • For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically

  25. The Water Quality Inventory • For the 2004 edition of the report, other constituents of concern will be examined and represented graphically – including the “infrequent constituents”

  26. The Water Quality Inventory • This inventory, because of the relatively limited data that is available, cannot completely characterize the groundwater quality in the state

  27. The Water Quality Inventory • Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination

  28. The Water Quality Inventory • Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination

  29. The Water Quality Inventory • Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination

  30. The Water Quality Inventory • Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination

  31. The Water Quality Inventory • Additionally, the report does not seek to assign potential sources of contamination

  32. The Water Quality Inventory • As has been state in the report for several cycles, “The quality of groundwater in Texas is generally good” . . . which is not to say that we have no concerns.

  33. The Water Quality Inventory • Monitoring programs need to be maintained and enhanced to provide the best picture possible of groundwater quality.

  34. There is Much Work to be Done

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