MPCA Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment

Glenn Skuta Water Monitoring Manager

MPCA Groundwater Roles

Monitor groundwater quality in nonagricultural parts of the state Determine groundwater-surface water interactions Evaluate groundwater protection BMPs Groundwater contamination remediation programs

MPCA Groundwater Monitoring

Developing a robust groundwater quality monitoring network
Report on contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in groundwater unparalleled nationally Participant in national groundwater monitoring network pilot

MPCAS Ambient GW Network

205 wells 80 wells left to install

CEC Study Report Available

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document.html?gid=17244

Contaminants of Emerging Concern

Chemicals not commonly monitored in the environment or regulated

About 100 Emerging Contaminants

Antibiotics Pharmaceuticals Fire Retardants Insect Repellent (DEET) Detergent Metabolites Personal Care Products Hormones

40 Wells Sampled for CECs

CEC Report Summary

Low frequency and low levels of detection, even though wells more likely to be contaminated were targeted for this study. Emerging contaminants were present in 13 of the 40 wells monitored. Endocrine Active Compounds were detected in 3 of the 40 wells. GW affected by landfill leachate had the largest number of detections and highest total concentrations, but still well below risk levels. Further monitoring will refine this assessment.

Additional Reports Coming Soon

Update to CEC report coming this summer using triple the amount of wells Overall ambient groundwater network report coming this spring
Significant finding on chloride

Chloride-- Sand and Gravel Aquifers

Chloride Trends

Groundwater-Surface water Interaction Studies

Investigations have linked increases in ground water extraction (municipal uses and irrigation) to stream flow reductions and lowered lake levels MPCA was the primary cooperative funder of the USGS study of altered groundwater flow affecting the level of White Bear Lake Identified reduced contribution of groundwater to surface water as a stressor in the Little Rock Creek TMDL study

Little Rock Creek Benton Cty.

Pumping for Wells <1 km from Little Rock Creek
1200 0 900 Million gallons Feet below ground level 2

Obwell 5004 groundwater level

600

300 8

0 1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

10 9/1/2002

5/28/2005

2/22/2008

Precipitation
40

Pierz_precip Five_yr moving avg Linear (Pierz_precip)

30

Inches
20

Source:
10 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020

Additional Groundwater-Surface Water Hydrology Research

Refining groundwater recharge estimates with USGS project will be complete in 2014 Synthetic hydrograph (streamflow estimation) project with USGS Enhancing precipitation network - automated rain gages to be installed at stream gaging stations cooperative effort with National Weather Service and DNR