The Importance of Preserving Water Sources - Assignment Example

Water is considered as the most precious and abundant natural resource found in nature. Existence of any form of life on planet earth is heavily dependent upon water. The rapid outburst in population growth and the impact of environmental factors on the quality and quantity of water in recent years, has raised the grave issue of how water resources should be conserved? The availability of water is determined by the chemical and physical properties of the geologic formations that hold water. This paper will deal with the geological study of water resources found in Canton, Ohio-Stark country with particular emphasis upon general geology, hydrogeologic settings, consumption and water laws. In the end a unified approach will be adapted, incorporating all the perspectives, to address the issue of conservation of water. According to the US 2009 census, the estimated population of Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan statistical area is 408, 005 (US Census Bureau, 2009). Most of the urban population depends upon ground water for consumption and daily usage purposes. The area receives its water supply through 3 different ecological mechanisms, all of which are interconnected through a complex hydrologic and infiltration cycle. The major sources of water supply are: (1) Precipitation (2) Surface water resources (3) Ground water resources. We will briefly explain each one of them with particularly greater emphasis upon ground water resources and it’s the primary source of water supply to the area. Precipitation The graphical illustration below reveals that on average 3.5 to 3.7 inches precipitation falls every month on Stark country. However, considering the fact that seasonal changes and yearly extremes severely affect the precipitation rate, the following data may not be reliable while analyzing long term precipitation rate. Source: Steiner, Sue. "Canton, Ohio (OH) Profile Surface water resources Data revealed by “Ohio state university extension fact sheet” demonstrates that, all the minor rivers, streams and lakes eventually drain into Ohio River near Beaver, Pennsylvania and Ohio River at Marietta (in Washington County). Furthermore, the infiltration capacity of soil also plays a significant role as it determines the amount of rainfall water to be trapped on the surface or infiltrate into the soil. (Surface-water resources in Stark County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Div. of Water river basin maps by R.A. Roberts) Ground water resources As mentioned earlier, the availability of ground water is dependent upon the chemical and physical properties of geologic formation. For a better understanding of ground water resources, the nature of aquifers should be analyzed in detail. Aquifers “Geologic formations (e.g., sand, gravel, limestone, sandstone) have the ability to receive, store and transmit water. In general, if a formation is capable of yielding enough water to support a well or spring, it is called an aquifer. The material from which the formation originally was made influences its ability to store and transmit water” (Ground-Water Resources of Stark County. 1988.) As the following figure “Ground water resource map” suggests that the country receives its major water supply from sand and gravel deposits and sandstones. This paper will classify ground water resources in Stark country on the basis of their yielding capacity as measured by gallons per minute (gpm). The yield of a particular well depends upon a number of factors ranging from construction to geologic formation. Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Similarly the following illustration is based upon a hydrogeologic interpretation of ground water resource data collected from Stark country and its surrounding area. It shows the nature and yielding capability of aquifers in various areas of Stark country. Source: Ground-water resources of Stark County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water map by J. Humphreys). AREA A: Permeable Sand and Gravel, High-Yield Potential: Ohio state university extension fact sheet reports that: “Areas underlying Hartville, North Canton, Canton, Canal Fulton, Massillon and Navarre have the best ground-water supplies in the county” (Stark County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.76). Permeable sand and gravel deposits acts as aquifers and are favorable for large ground-water yields. However, they are susceptible to infiltration of chlorides from the Tucarawas River and thus require “careful control of well spacing and pumping rates”. They may yield up to 500 to 200 gpm but needed to be treated for domestic usage. AREA B: Permeable Sand and Gravel, Moderate-Yield Potential: The exact yield of these aquifers is unknown but it is considered that they may yield up to several hundred gallons. AREA C: Interbedded and Interlensed Sand, Gravel, Silt and Clay: These aquifers may yield from 25 to 100 gpm and may increase yield with further drilling. The yield can be used for farm or domestic purposes. AREA D: Pottsville Group Sandstones: These aquifers has the capability of yielding about 50 gpm and may increase yield upon further drilling up to 300 feet. AREA E: Unconsolidated and Discontinuous Sand and Gravel in Glacial Till: Due to limited thickness of sand and gravel deposits, these aquifers may yield up to 5 to 30 gpm. AREA F: Sandstones and Sandy Shales, Low-Yield Potential: The figure portrays that Southern part of the country obtains ground water from sandstones and sandy shales. Although in this area, larger yields have been reported yet the average yield is 25 gmp. The bedrock in this area is covered by unconsolidated glacial deposits of sand and gravel deposits of unlimited thickness and extent which may yield 10 to 30 gpm. This yield may be used for domestic purpose in the glaciated portion of Stark city. AREA G: Sandstones and Shales, Low-Yield Potential: Due to the presence of massive sandstones and shales, these aquifers may yield very low amount of water up to 10 gpm. However after treatment, it can be used for domestic purpose. Water level also depends upon numerous factors such as rainfall, hydraulic properties of the geologic formation and distribution of wells in a particular area. The following graph illustrates the level of water in various parts of Stark country. Source: USGS -- Water Resources of the United States Ground water Quality: For the determination of water quality in Ohio, data was collected from ODNR Division of Water of 8 different wells, noted as Chemical analysis sites (1-8). The results of chemical analysis test listed the presence of chemical constituents such as Caco3, iron, chloride and dissolved salts. These chemical constituents do not pose any threat to human health. However, the concentration of these chemical constituents may vary depending upon human activities and properties of geologic formation. Similarly certain wells in Uniontown area are considered to be contaminated by volatile organic compounds but none of them is above Maximum contamination level. Following table demonstrates the list of chemical constituents and their concentration in various wells of Stark country. Table 1. Chemical constituents of selected Stark County wells 1. Well No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WQ Std2 Well Depth (feet) 157 407 127 140 69 147 250 100 Capacity (gpm) 600 40 625 3470 900 2000 75 350 Depth to Bedrock (feet) NE3 30 68 NE NE NE 19 NE Water-Bearing Formation4 SG SS SS SG SG SG SH SG Chemical Constituents5 Total Dissolved Solids 338 287 308 397 286 556 525 195 500 Hardness (as CaCO3) 278 166 254 328 246 467 382 146 None6 Iron 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.45 0.4 0.5 1.2 0.03 0.3 Chloride 5 11 6 11 2 25 8 2 250 1 Data on wells 1 and 2 from watershed map P-5; wells 3-8 from watershed map P-7; General location of each well is shown on Figure 1. 2 USEPA Secondary Water Quality Standard. 3 Well constructed in this formation did not encounter bedrock. 4 SG - Sand and Gravel; SS - Sandstone; SH - Shale. 5 Units are parts-per-million, ppm; Comments as per "Interpreting Your Water Test Report" (1988); Total Dissolved Solids: Concentrations above 500 ppm may cause adverse taste and deteriorate domestic plumbing and appliances. Use of water containing 500 ppm is common. Hardness: Primary concerns are that more soap is required for effective cleaning, a film may form on fixtures, fabrics may yellow and scales may form in boilers, water heaters and cooking utensils. Iron: Concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm may cause rust-colored stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures and sinks. Metallic taste may be present, which may affect the taste of beverages made from the water. Chloride: Concentrations greater than 250 ppm may result in an objectionable, salty taste to water and the corrosion of plumbing in the hot water system. 6 No USEPA Secondary Standard. Source: Stark County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.76. Water Usage: As mentioned earlier, ground water is the major source of water supply to households in Stark country. Calculated on the basis of 102 gallons per person per day, ODNR Div. of Water concluded that: “9.8 million gallons per day (gpd) from private wells is used. Additional private water uses include industry (16.3 million gpd), golf course and crop irrigation (0.5 million gpd), and livestock use (0.6 million gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 74 percent of households use public-water supplies with ground or surface water as the source, as identified in Table 1” (Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990) However, owner of facilities, that could withdraw 100,000 gpd (70 gpm) or more must register those facilities with Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program. This program helps to maintain a track of water requirements in future and for the better management and protection of Ohio’s water resources. Table 1. Water Use in Stark County, Ohio.1 Public Water System Population Served Primary Water Source Water Usage (GPD)2 Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD) Alliance City 25,000 Surface Water 5,530,000 11,000,000 Beach City 1,138 Ground Water 114,000 250,000 Brewster 2,300 Ground Water 340,000 864,000 Canal Fulton 4,157 Ground Water 444,000 360,000 Canton 140,000 Ground Water 25,510,000 27,000,000 East Canton3 1,750 Ground Water 175,000 576,000 East Sparta 750 Ground Water 130,000 338,000 Lake Township4 225 Ground Water 36,000 0 Louisville 9,000 Ground Water 862,000 1,000,000 Magnolia 925 Ground Water 75,000 540,000 Massillon/Ohio Water S. 53,308 Ground Water 7,190,000 11,200,000 Minerva 4,900 Ground Water 763,000 2,000,000 Navarre 2,200 Ground Water 501,000 864,000 North Canton 17,000 Ground Water 2,400,000 6,000,000 Waynesburg 1,068 Ground Water 145,000 500,000 Wilmot 363 Ground Water 33,000 120,000 Other5 8,131 Ground Water 1,039,350 684,000 1 Estimates from Ohio EPA using 1993 data, adjusted by Leonard Black, ODNR Div. of Water. 2 GPD = gallons per day. 3 Water supplied by Canton. 4 Water supplied by North Canton. 5 Other - includes Apple Grove Water Association and approximately 44 other public and private water systems. Source: (Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990, Public Supply Data. 1993) This paper will conclude with addressing the question asked at the start of paper: how water sources could be conserved? Based upon the findings, this paper recommends the following: Water is a precious gift of nature, for sustaining life on earth thus its quality and quantity is a major concern for all. Human activities in the form of industrial production, domestic waste disposal, agricultural production and construction have adversely affected the supply and quality of water in the recent years. Although the currant and future availability of water for Ohio, Stark country is more than enough, still pragmatic steps should be taken on individual and collective level for the preservation of water. BIBLIOGRAPHY "Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet Food, Agricultural and Biological: Stark Country Water Resources Engineering" Ohioline. Web. 26 July 2011. "Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet Food, Agricultural and Biological: Stark Country Ground Water Resources Engineering, 1998: . "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2011 Steiner, Sue. Canton, Ohio (OH) Profile: Web. 26 July 2011. (Surface-water resources in Stark County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Div. of Water river basin maps by R.A. Roberts) Ground-water resources of Stark County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water map by J. Humphreys). USGS -- Water Resources of the United States. Web. 26 July 2011. http://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/countymaps/OH_151.html (Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990, Public Supply Data. 1993) Read More