Wastewater application by spray irrigation on a field southeast of Tallahassee, Florida; effects on ground-water quality and quantity, 1980-82

Elder, J. F.; Hunn, J. D.; Calhoun, C. W.

Abstract:

A field southeast of Tallahassee, Florida, used for land application of wastewater by spray irrigation was the site of a ground-water monitoring study to determine effects of spray irrigation on water-table elevations and ground-water quality. The study was conducted during 1980-82 in cooperation with the City of Tallahassee. The wastewater has relatively high concentrations of chloride, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon , coliform bacteria, sodium, and potassium. These substances are usually attenuated before they can impact the ground water. However, increases in chloride and nitrate-nitrogen were evident in ground water in some of the monitoring wells during the study. Chloride concentrations increased five-fold or more in some wells directly affected by spray irrigation, and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations increased eight-fold or more. Ground-water levels in the area of the spray field fluctuated over a range of several feet. These fluctuations were affected somewhat by spray irrigation, but the primary control on water levels was rainfall. As of December 1982, constituents introduced to the system by spray irrigation of effluent had not exceeded drinking water standard in the ground water. However, the system had not yet stabilized and more changes in ground-water quality could be expected. (USGS)

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USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

26949

Citation Author:

Elder, J. F.; Hunn, J. D.; Calhoun, C. W.

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ENGLISH

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v, 41 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.

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U.S. Geological Survey,

Citation Series:

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Citation Series Code:

WRI

Citation Series Number:

85-4006

Citation Search Results Text:

Wastewater application by spray irrigation on a field southeast of Tallahassee, Florida; effects on ground-water quality and quantity, 1980-82; 1985; WRI; 85-4006; Elder, J. F.; Hunn, J. D.; Calhoun, C. W.