Carrin Williams

Pennsylvania’s Aquifers An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can be extracted Pennsylvania has four different types of aquifers Sand and Gravel aquifers Sandstone and Shale aquifers Carbonate and rock aquifers Crystalline rock aquifers

Sand and Gravel Aquifers Located in the southeastern part along the Delaware River, also the lake Erie shoreline, and in most major stream valleys Those in the Delaware estuary were deposited when this area was mainly covered by oceans millions of years ago Those is the rest of the state are glacial outwash and stream deposits from when part of the state was covered by glaciers

Sand and Gravel Aquifers Cont. Sand and gravel aquifers contain large quantities of water which can easily be withdrawn The natural quality of water is good to excellent

Sandstone and Shale Aquifers Contains most of the components of Pennsylvania’s bedrock Sandstones Slits Stones Shale These components are interlayered and there can be more than one water-bearing zone

Sandstone and Shale Aquifers Cont. Did you know? Where sandstones are predominate water is soft Also where shale is predominate water is hard

Carbonate and Rock Aquifers Located in the valleys of the southeastern part of Pennsylvania Consists of limestone and dolomite Since the water is dissolving the carbonate rock in this region; caves, sinkholes and solution channels have formed

Crystalline Rock Aquifers Located mostly in southeastern Pennsylvania Storage capacity and yields are relatively low because the rock has very small fractures Water is generally soft

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