drinking water
Regional Drinking Water Projects and Studies
It's traditionally been believed that ground water, which is naturally filtered as it makes its way through soil, differs from the water in lakes and rivers in that it doesn't contain the potentially hazardous bacteria and other tiny organisms associated with fecal contamination. But, according to EPA, research shows that's not always the case. As a result, EPA has been proposing for several years the so-called Ground Water Rule. This rule, if enacted, would specify how to treat ground water and establish ways to identify ground water systems most likely to be susceptible to contamination.
The prospect of this rule--and practical concerns among the states about the need for widespread application of it-prompted the initiation of the New England Ground Water Viral Study, which NEIWPCC has coordinated since 1997. The study examined 128 wells across New England to find out if they contain microorganisms that cause disease or other types of organisms that indicate a virus may be in the water. One intent of the study was to determine whether certain characteristics of groundwater sources-their depth, location, etc.-affect vulnerability to fecal contamination.
A final report on the study will be published soon, but preliminary results show little or no correlation between a well's characteristics and contamination. During the entire study, in fact, there was only one instance in which organisms were found indicating a potentially harmful virus might be present. This information should support the states' desire to install groundwater disinfection only at those systems deemed to be most vulnerable to contamination.