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Groundwater quality in the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers, eastern United States

Fact Sheet 2016-3079
National Water Quality Program
National Water-Quality Assessment Project
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20163079

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Abstract

Groundwater provides nearly 50 percent of the Nation’s drinking water. To help protect this vital resource, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project assesses groundwater quality in aquifers that are important sources of drinking water. The Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers constitute two of the important areas being evaluated. One or more inorganic constituents with human-health benchmarks were detected at high concentrations in about 15 percent of the study area and at moderate concentrations in about 17 percent. Organic constituents were not detected at high concentrations in the study area. One or more organic constituents with human-health benchmarks were detected at moderate concentrations in about 2 percent of the study area.

Suggested Citation

Lindsey, Bruce, and Belitz, Kenneth, 2016, Groundwater quality in the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers, Eastern United States: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2016-3079, 4 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/fs20163079.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Background
  • Overview of Water Quality
  • Results: Groundwater Quality at the Depth Zone Used for Public Supply in the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge Carbonate-Rock Aquifers
  • Benchmarks for Evaluating Groundwater Quality
  • High and Moderate Nitrate Concentrations Found Only in Northern States
  • Principal Aquifer Studies
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Groundwater quality in the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers, eastern United States
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2016-3079
DOI 10.3133/fs20163079
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Water Quality Assessment Program
Description 4 p.
Country United States
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details