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Groundwater : (Geol 1041 Lab Online)
Groundwater : (Geol 1041 Lab Online)
© P. A. Camilleri
INTRODUCTION
Groundwater is a very important source of water used to sustain human life. In this lab you will learn
how geologists can predict how deep you might have to drill to encounter groundwater, and how they can find
sources of ground water contamination or areas where ground water is polluted. You will do two exercises. The
first exercise (#1) we will do together and then you will do exercise #2 your own and submit your data and
conclusions into D2L. Please start this lab by doing the following tasks in the order given:
1) Read chapter 11 on groundwater and the associated lecture and assignment file.
2) Read the “review of basic groundwater concepts below and watch the associated video “Introduction to the
groundwater lab”.
3) Do Exercise #1 and then watch the video “Groundwater Exercise #1: How did I do?” to check your answers.
4) Do Exercise #2 and then enter your answers into D2L by clicking on quizzes and then clicking on “Groundwater
Exercise #2”. You will be allowed two attempts and your grade will be based on your highest score. After you
submit your data into the quiz, your score and the questions you got wrong will be revealed, but the correct
answer will not. Incorrect answers will be shown as 0/1 points whereas correct answers will be shown as 1/1
point. Please note that if you get something wrong you may reevaluate what you got wrong and resubmit your
answers a second time. If you do make a second attempt, you will need to submit all the answers again, even the
ones you previously got correct.
5) Take the groundwater lab quiz. The quiz will have 10 questions based on material in the tutorial. You will need,
and are allowed to use, this tutorial for the quiz. However, you will only have 10 minutes to complete the quiz and
so you should be very familiar with the lab material.
REVIEW OF BASIC GROUNDWATER CONCEPTS
Water that infiltrates the surface of the earth will percolate
downward into the ground under the influence of gravity and become
groundwater. Rock that is useful for extraction of groundwater must be
an aquifer, which is a highly porous and permeable rock. A rock that is
porous has ample pore spaces, which are empty spaces between grains
that can potentially hold ground water. To allow water to enter the pore
spaces, the rock must have permeability. Permeability refers to the
degree to which pore spaces are interconnected. Rocks with well‐
connected pore spaces are very permeable and can make good aquifers.
What does the distribution of groundwater in an aquifer look like
underground? Below the surface of the Earth there are two basic ground
water zones (see Figure 1). The first zone beneath the surface is called
Figure 1. Cross section sketch showing the
the unsaturated zone where pore spaces are mostly filled with air (brown vadose (unsaturated) and saturated zones,
area in Figure 1). Below the unsaturated zone, the pore spaces are completely water table, and direction of groundwater
filled with water and this zone is called the saturated zone (stippled blue area in Figure 1). The surface that
separates the unsaturated and saturated zones is called the water table. In order to extract ground water you
need to drill a well that penetrates the saturated zone.
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In what situations will groundwater flow? If the water table is not horizontal, i.e. it slopes, groundwater
will flow down the slope of the water table. Figure 1 shows a sloping water table and the groundwater in this
scenario would flow down slope from right to left as indicated by the white arrow. We are always concerned
about areas where the ground water flows if there is potential for contamination of groundwater. This is
because contaminated water can move and pollute other wells in the direction of flow.
How to assess if the water table is sloping and flow direction of groundwater (if sloping). Geologists are often
consulted to evaluate groundwater to assess pollution problems or to recommend sites for drilling water wells.
An evaluation begins with constructing a contour map of the water table, which will reveal if the water table is
sloping and hence if groundwater is flowing in a particular direction. A contour map of the water table
illustrates the shape of the water table in the same manner that a topographic contour map illustrates the shape
of the Earth’s surface. A water table contour map can be constructed if there are a series of water wells in the
area of concern. When a well is drilled, the water in the well will rise to the level of the water table and so the
elevation of the water in the well represents the
elevation of water table at that point, which can then
be used as a data point for making a contour map of the
water table. Once a contour map is made, the geologist
can then draw a series of lines perpendicular to the
contours indicating the flow direction of groundwater.
These lines are referred to as “flow lines”.
Figure 2 shows an example of how a geologist
would utilize elevations of the water table in wells to
approach a groundwater problem. Figure 2(A) is a
topographic map that shows the location of an above‐
ground toxic waste storage facility and the location of a
proposed water well (green dot) that Jane Doe would
like to drill. Also shown are the locations of existing
wells (red dots) and the elevation of the water table in
the wells (black numbers). Jane Doe wants to know if
the proposed well could be contaminated by the toxic
waste if it were to leak into the ground in the future.
She also wants to know how deep the well would have
to be drilled to encounter the water table. At first
glance the geologist notes that the elevation of the
water table in the wells is variable, which indicates that
the water table must be sloping. The geologist then
uses the well data to make a contour map of the water
table with a contour interval of 10 feet, which is shown
in Figure 2(B). The same principles and methods that
we used to make a topographic map with elevation
data are always employed when a contour map of the
water table is made (just remember that topographic
contours show the shape of the Earth’s surface whereas
water table contours show the shape of the water table Figure 2.
below the Earth’s surface). The water table contours are oriented in a northwest‐southeast direction. The
elevations of the contours indicate that the water table is at a higher elevation in the southwest (above 740
feet) and at a lower elevation towards the northeast where the water table is at elevations less than 730 feet.
This means that the water table slopes downward towards the northeast. The direction of flow of groundwater
always occurs perpendicular to contour lines in the down slope direction so, in this area, ground water would
flow towards the northeast. To be more specific we can draw a series of flow lines that run perpendicular to the
contours. These are shown in Figure 2(C) as the light‐blue dashed arrows. These flow lines indicate that
groundwater will flow from the southwest to the northeast. Note that although Figure 2(C) only shows three
flow lines, you can draw infinite flow lines to more precisely define flow direction.
After drawing our water table contours and flow lines, we are now ready to address Jane Does
questions. It appears that if the toxic waste were to leak into the groundwater beneath the storage facility, the
proposed well would be contaminated. How do we
know this? We know this because the flow lines
indicate that any contaminated ground water beneath
the storage facility would flow towards, and through,
the proposed well. Figure 3 shows the area of potential
contamination of groundwater shaded in gray. Leakage
would first contaminate the groundwater directly
beneath the storage facility and then that contaminated
water would flow towards northeast in the direction of
the flow lines. In summary, placing a well in the area
shaded in gray is not a good idea if you are worried
Figure 3. Map showing area of potential contamination of ground about potential contamination. Placing a well
water (shaded gray) due to leakage of toxic waste from the
storage facility. outside the area in gray is a better idea.
How to calculate drilling depth to the water table. To figure out how deep Jane Doe would have to drill to hit
the water table at the site of the proposed well, the elevation of the Earth’s surface at the location of the
proposed well site needs to be determined in addition to the elevation of the water table at that point. Figure 4
shows a cross section through the Earth at the proposed well site that
shows the drilling depth to the water table. The drilling depth is simply the
elevation of the earth’s surface minus the elevation of the water table.
The elevation of the well site is 920 feet, which can be determined by
studying the topographic contours. The elevation of the water table can be
determined by looking at the water table contours. From the map in
Figure 2(B) you can see that the proposed well is between the 430 and 440
foot contours, and using the ½ way rule, we estimate the elevation of the
water table as 435 feet. The drilling depth is therefore: 920’ – 435’ = 485’.
Figure 4.
Now please watch the video titled “Introduction to the groundwater lab”
EXERCISE 1: ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION AROUND A FUEL STORAGE FACILITY
In this exercise you will assess contamination of groundwater in municipal water wells that provide
water to the residents of the town of Desetoria. The topographic map on page
6 shows the locations of Desetoria’s two municipal water wells and an above‐
ground fuel storage facility that supplies fuel for heating (Figure 5). The water
extracted from both municipal wells is pumped into a single water tower that
provides drinking water for all of Desetoria’s residents.
Recently, the residents of Desetoria have complained that the water
has a fuel‐like odor and taste. Examination of the water in the tower confirmed Figure 5. Photo of fuel storage facility.
the presence of fuel indicating that one or more of Desetoria’s fuel tanks must be leaking, and that either one or
both of the municipal water wells is contaminated. You, a budding geologist, have been hired to determine if
one or both of the municipal wells are contaminated and also to evaluate three proposed locations for new
water wells to determine if they have the potential to be contaminated in the future.
Your first task was to have a series of exploratory wells drilled to find the elevation of the water table in
each well. The red dots on the map show the locations of these wells and the elevation that the water table was
encountered in each well. Your next task is to take these data and make a contour map of the water table to
determine the shape of the water table, i.e., to assess whether it is horizontal or sloping, and if sloping, the
direction that it is sloping. Once you finish contouring the water table you need to draw flow lines to get a
picture of the flow direction of the groundwater in this area. Then, by studying your contour map and flow lines
please answer the following questions to fulfill your contractual obligation to the town of Desetoria.
¾ What is the general orientation of the water table contours?
o north‐south
o east‐west
o northwest‐southeast
o northeast‐ southwest
¾ What overall direction does the groundwater flow?
north
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¾ What wells are most likely contaminated from the leaking storage tanks?
o Municipal Well #1 only
o Municipal Well #2 only
o Both Municipal Well #1 and Well #2
¾ Is there potential for ground water in proposed well A to be contaminated?
o yes
o no
¾ Is there potential for ground water in proposed well B to be contaminated?
o yes
o no
¾ Is there potential for ground water in proposed well C to be contaminated?
o yes
o no
¾ How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well A?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table* =________
*use the ½ way rule to estimate the elevation of the water table
¾ How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well B?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table (use ½ way rule) =________
¾ How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well C?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table (use ½ way rule) =________
¾ You have been instructed to calculate the minimum cost for drilling of the proposed wells. The cost for
drilling is $20 per foot. The cost can be calculated by multiplying $20/foot X the drilling depth in feet
(for example the cost for drilling an 87 foot well is $20/foot X 87 feet = $1740).
Well A = $20/foot X ________ = $____________
Well B = X $20/foot X________ = $____________
Well C = X $20/foot X________ = $____________
¾ Which of the proposed wells does not have the potential of being contaminated in the future and is the
least expensive to drill.
o well A
o well B
o well C
Now please watch the video titled “Groundwater Exercise #1: How did I do?”
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EXERCISE 2: GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT OF A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION
In this exercise you are a consulting geologist for the Shady Construction Company and you have been
hired to evaluate the groundwater surrounding a proposed housing subdivision in order to make
recommendations on where to drill water wells for the subdivision. The topographic map on page 9 shows the
location the proposed subdivision. The subdivision is in a remote part of eastern California and needs to be self
sustaining. Consequently, the subdivision will need to obtain their water from local groundwater, and it must be
able to dispose of household waste nearby.
The Shady Construction Company plans to build 200 houses in the area shaded yellow and develop a
landfill (dump) for household waste in the green shaded area. The company has also selected three potential
sites for drilling a water well to serve the needs of the subdivision (see locations of proposed wells #1, #2, and
#3). The final well site that is selected must meet the following criteria:
• There must be no future potential for contamination should toxins leak from the landfill and pollute the
ground water.
• The maximum amount of money that the company has to spend on drilling the well is $3,000.
The company has hired you to: 1) determine the shape of the water table and determine if groundwater is
flowing in a particular direction, and 2) select a well site meeting the aforementioned criteria. The company has
already drilled a series of wells to determine the elevation of the water table, and their well data is shown on
the map. Your task is to contour the water table and draw flow lines. Then, by studying your contour map and
flow lines, please answer the following questions to fulfill your obligation to the Shady Construction Company.
1. What is the general orientation of the water table contours?
o north‐south
o east‐west
o northwest‐southeast
o northeast‐ southwest
2. What overall direction does the groundwater flow?
north
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3. Is there potential for groundwater in proposed well #1 to be contaminated in the future if toxins leak from
the landfill?
o yes
o no
4. Is there potential for groundwater in proposed well #2 to be contaminated in the future if toxins leak from
the landfill?
o yes
o no
5. Is there potential for groundwater in proposed well #3 to be contaminated in the future if toxins leak from
the landfill?
o yes
o no
6. How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well #1?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table* =________
*use the ½ way rule to estimate the elevation of the water table
7. How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well #2?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table (use ½ way rule) =________
8. How deep would you have to drill to encounter the water table in proposed well #3?
Drilling depth = surface elevation – elevation of the water table (use ½ way rule) =________
9. What is the cost for drilling to the water table for each of the wells? The cost for drilling is $20 per foot.
The cost can be calculated by multiplying $20/foot X the drilling depth in feet (for example the cost for
drilling an 87 foot well is $20/foot X 87 feet = $1740).
Well #1 = $20/foot X ________ = $____________
Well #2 = X $20/foot X________ = $____________
Well #3 = X $20/foot X________ = $____________
10. Which of the proposed wells would satisfy the construction company’s requirement that the well would cost
less than $3000 to drill and has no potential to be contaminated in the future?
o well #1
o well #2
o well #3
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Proposed housing subdivision
Exercise #2. Contour the water
Proposed landfill
table using a contour interval of 20
feet (you will need to draw contours Proposed water well
of 520, 540, 560, 580, 600 etc.). Location of water well with elevation of the water table
532
610
578
Proposed Housing subdivision
well #3
ll #3
550
549
582
541 539
563
Proposed 543
well #2
564 531
546
Proposed 525
well #1
555 518
548
544 537
510 North
529
530 521
515
Topographic contour
interval = 10’