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 MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT: MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT: AMBIENT GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

PhotoOverview
The groundwater monitoring program seeks to characterize groundwater quality in each of the 51 groundwater basins that have been designated in Arizona by state agencies. Comprehensive groundwater sampling is conducted in a basin following the approval of a sample plan. Various methodologies are used include systematic, grid-based random sampling, stratified random sampling, and random sampling to determine regional groundwater quality. Higher density sampling sometimes occurs around targeted land uses to determine their affect on groundwater quality. All wells and springs selected for sampling are located using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Samples for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) inorganic analysis as well as oxygen and hydrogen isotopes are collected at each groundwater sampling site. Samples for radiochemistry and radon analysis are also frequently collected while Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), currently-registered pesticides, banned pesticides, perchlorate, and other types of samples are sometimes collected where these parameters are likely to be encountered.

Groundwater samples collected for regional studies are statistically analyzed to determine significant differences in parameter levels between indices such as sub-basins, physiographic areas, and aquifers. Similar analyses are conducted on data collected from index wells or from historical groundwater studies to determine if any significant changes have occurred over time in the concentrations of groundwater quality parameters. The most important relationships identified through statistical analyses are displayed visually in maps and graphs.

Data collected by this program are incorporated into ADEQ's Groundwater Database as well as provided to the well owner from which the groundwater sample was collected. A comprehensive Open File Report and a condensed four-page Fact Sheet are published for each basin. Index wells are selected in these basins which will be resampled in the future to determine groundwater quality change over time.

These ADEQ basin studies are an important resource, especially with many people moving to locations in Arizona not served by public water systems. Residents utilizing groundwater supplied by public water supply systems have the assurance that this resource is regularly tested and meets water quality standards set by the SDWA. However, no such regulations exist for residents served by private wells. While collecting and analyzing groundwater samples from all private wells would be prohibitively expensive, ambient groundwater quality studies that use scientific and statistical principles to estimate groundwater quality conditions provide an affordable alternative. As such, this program provides important groundwater quality information to the public, including the expected groundwater quality within a basin, areas where specific groundwater quality problems can be expected to occur, and whether there has been any change over time in the groundwater quality of the basin.

Studies
MapThe ADEQ Ambient Monitoring Program has completed studies and has reports available covering 15 groundwater basins in Arizona, shown in the bordering map in brown. These reports are available in both a comprehensive Open File Report (OFR) as well as a compact four-page fact sheet (FS). The OFR is designed for audiences desiring a more comprehensive hydrologic picture of the study including the groundwater quality data. In contrast, the FS is designed for a more general audience seeking a brief overview of the groundwater quality of the basin. Any questions about these studies should be directed to Douglas Towne at (602) 771-4412.

The 12 basins shown in the map as green have had the groundwater quality samples collected and analyzed; however, no report is currently available on these basins. The basins shown in white are not currently the focus of groundwater studies.

The data for all samples collected for these studies, besides being available in the individual OFRs are also available through the ADEQ Groundwater Database whose contact is Marianne Gilbert at (602) 771-4563. This database includes all samples collected by the ADEQ Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program as well as other monitoring programs within the agency.

Four-page factsheets on the following groundwater basins

Open File Groundwater Reports

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Monitoring Index · Ambient Groundwater Monitoring · Ambient Lake Monitoring · Ambient River and Stream Monitoring

Disclaimer/Privacy Statement | Feedback Leaving ADEQ Web site | Web Site Services | Last Revision Jul. 08, 2008
Any ADEQ translation or communication is unofficial and not binding on the State of Arizona.
Cualquier traducción o comunicación de ADEQ no es oficial y no sujetará a ninguna responsabilidad legal al estado de Arizona.