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Seasonal Variation of Water Quality in Unregulated Domestic Wells

Author

Listed:
  • Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne

    (Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA)

  • Jennifer Parks

    (Friends of the Santa Cruz River, P.O. Box 4275, Tubac, AZ 85646, USA)

  • Thien Tran

    (Department of Soil, Water & Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, USA)

  • Leif Abrell

    (Department of Soil, Water & Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, USA
    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0041, USA)

  • Kelly A. Reynolds

    (Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA)

  • Paloma I. Beamer

    (Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA)

Abstract

In the United States (U.S.), up to 14% of the population depend on private wells as their primary drinking water source. The U.S. government does not regulate contaminants in private wells. The goals of this study were to investigate the quality of drinking water from unregulated private wells within one mile (1.6 kilometers) of an effluent-dominated river in the arid Southwest, determine differences in contaminant levels between wet and dry seasons, and identify contributions from human sources by specifically measuring man-made organic contaminants (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfate (PFOS), and sucralose). Samples were collected during two dry seasons and two wet seasons over the course of two years and analyzed for microbial ( Escherichia coli ), inorganic (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nitrate), and synthetic organic (PFOA, PFOS, and sucralose) contaminants. Arsenic, nitrate, and Escherichia coli concentrations exceeded their respective regulatory levels of 0.01 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 1 colony forming unit (CFU)/100 mL, respectively. The measured concentrations of PFOA and PFOS exceeded the respective Public Health Advisory level. Arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, and sucralose were significantly higher during the dry seasons, whereas E. coli was higher during the wet seasons. While some contaminants were correlated (e.g., As and Hg ρ = 0.87; PFOA and PFOS ρ = 0.45), the lack of correlation between different contaminant types indicates that they may arise from different sources. Multi-faceted interventions are needed to reduce exposure to drinking water above health-based guidelines.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne & Jennifer Parks & Thien Tran & Leif Abrell & Kelly A. Reynolds & Paloma I. Beamer, 2019. "Seasonal Variation of Water Quality in Unregulated Domestic Wells," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1569-:d:228336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hyun-Min Hwang & Matthew J. Fiala & Dongjoo Park & Terry L. Wade, 2016. "Review of pollutants in urban road dust and stormwater runoff: part 1. Heavy metals released from vehicles," International Journal of Urban Sciences, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 334-360, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Jingjing, 2022. "Harnessing natural attenuation to reduce CAFOs nitrate emissions: An integrated modeling approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

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