As part of drinking water protection in Marion County, Indiana, the Marion County Wellfield Education Corporation focuses on identifying potential sources of contamination in the drinking water protection areas (wellfields). Most import are identifying those sources that are particularly hazardous to human health and those occurring in large quantities.
Each year, as part of the city’s wellfield protection plans, we conduct a windshield survey to catalogue businesses and operations in the wellfields that may have these potential sources of groundwater pollution.
In addition to sources that may immediately come to mind such as underground storage tanks of gasoline or dry cleaners, there are multiple commercial categories that are subject to regulations in the wellfields as well as every day chemicals that homeowners should be aware of.
Business and Industrial Sources
In general, MCWEC categorizes sources of groundwater pollution into 6 main categories, which the addition of a catch-all “Miscellaneous”. These six categories are:
- Agriculture-Turf
- Auto (includes both gas stations and auto repair)
- Graphics
- Industrial (such as chemical manufacturing and storage or metal fabrication)
- Dry Cleaning and Laundry
- Medical/Scientific
These categories have specific chemicals or processes that could be a threat to water quality. Categories may have examples across different types such as by-products of industrial processes, cleaners and degreasers, waste oil and other petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, or metals and salts. Other potential contaminants could include bacteria and viruses that may come from sewage treatment plants, agricultural livestock operations, medical facilities, or industrial or residential septic systems.
The miscellaneous catch-all group includes any business that stores chemicals on site. This could include locations with swimming pools, nail salons, or tattoo parlors.
The yearly windshield survey not only catalogues current business operations, but keeps track of sites which were former or abandoned sources of concern. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires this windshield survey for public drinking water systems as part of their overall wellfield protection programs.
In the home
While groundwater pollution immediately invokes images of large-scale pollution, homeowners should also be aware that their daily chemical use could impact groundwater drinking water resources. Whether or not your home is located in a drinking water protection area, all homeowners and renters should take steps to reduce potential contamination.
Sources of residential groundwater pollution could include dumping of household chemicals or auto oil in the yard, overuse of fertilizers or pesticides, and general litter that travels to community waterways. Check out these 10 residential tips to protecting groundwater to find more pollution prevention ideas and details.
Its important to be aware of where you are and what those around you are doing regardless of whether your businesses or home currently produces or stores any of these types of potential pollutants. Groundwater is drinking water for our community – let’s protect it!
