What Do You Know About Michigan’s Hidden Resource? All photos by Joan Schumaker Chadde, Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, unless noted otherwise. All groundwater diagrams by Lyle S. Raymond, Center for the Environment, Cornell University. All Michigan maps of groundwater contamination by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (09/05).

1. What is Groundwater ? Water that fills the spaces between soil and rock particles. The % of the spaces that are filled with water = porosity

2. Where is groundwater? Groundwater is found in that have an adequate __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ that have an adequate quantity and movement of water to supply wells and springs. Bedrock Limestone Layered soil

3. How does it get there?

4. How fast does it flow? (= permeability) Silt & clay Slow Gravel Fast Sand Medium Which material is better for your well? Which is better for lining a landfill?

5. How is groundwater connected to surface water?

Groundwater is a major source of water to the Great Lakes. Ground water in blue Holtschlag, D.J., and Nicholas, J.R., 1998, Indirect ground-water discharge to the Great Lakes: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 98-579, 25 p.

6. How is groundwater used? Drinking water for 50% of Michigan and U.S. residents (private wells and public drinking water). Irrigation Industry Recreation and tourism

Drilling a new well Photo credits: Dr. Alex Mayer, Dept. of Geological Sciences & Engineering, Michigan Technological Institute

Michigan Groundwater Use in 2004 Millions of Gallons % Total Use Public water supply 247 37% Domestic (private) wells 239 36% Golf Courses 19 3% Irrigation 167 25% Industry _89 13% Total 661 100% Source: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Water Use Reporting Program (2004) www.michigan.gov/deq/

7. What do we call the area affected by a pumping well?

8. What activities can contaminate groundwater? Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (UST) at gasoline stations are a major source of groundwater contamination. In Michigan alone, there are 19,832 leaking underground storage tanks as of September 2005! The owner of this gas station is replacing the old tank with a new double-walled tank to prevent possible groundwater contamination in the future.

Concentrated animal feeding operations have the potential to contaminate groundwater with nitrates and bacteria. Photo credit: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Marquette County

Other sources of Groundwater Contamination: Nitrate fertilizer used on cropland and lawns Industrial releases Leaking landfills Chemical transportation spills Fuel spills Illegal waste disposal

9. How can we protect groundwater from contamination? This person is using a baler to obtain a sample of groundwater for water quality testing. Photo credit: U.P. Engineers & Architects, Inc.

Wellhead Protection Areas – are established to prevent potential contamination from reaching the area of groundwater that flows to a city drinking water well. (Source: Breitung Township and U.P. Engineers & Architects, Inc. )

Educate community residents about groundwater protection.

10. Can groundwater be cleaned up? Bioremediation – bacteria can actually eat the contaminants! Ever hear of oil-eating bacteria? Nutrients are added to grow more bacteria. Pump and treat – the contaminated water is removed. Now all of that water must be cleaned! Air sparging – air is pulled through the groundwater, and the contaminants move into the air. Why should we be concerned about groundwater quality in Michigan?

Important Groundwater Facts 50% of Michigan residents USE groundwater for drinking and household needs through public or private wells. Groundwater IS NOT an underground river, but fills the spaces between soil and rock particles. Groundwater MOVES……. Groundwater IS CONNECTED to the surface water in rivers and lakes. A groundwater use will always have an effect on a surface-water body, though the effect may be too small to measure. Remember: If you don’t want to drink it, DON’T PUT IT ON THE GROUND!

Equipment Used in Groundwater Monitoring Pump test Slotted PVC pipe for groundwater sampling Photo credits: Dr. Alex Mayer, Dept. of Geological Sciences & Engineering, Michigan Technological Institute

Equipment Used in Groundwater Monitoring Louvered metal screen that allows Groundwater to enter, and not Earth materials. Baler for getting a groundwater sample Photo credits: Dr. Alex Mayer, Dept. of Geological Sciences & Engineering, Michigan Technological Institute

Equipment Used in Groundwater Monitoring Measures Depth to Groundwater Submersible Pump for removing contaminated groundwater… Photo credits: Dr. Alex Mayer, Dept. of Geological Sciences & Engineering, Michigan Technological Institute