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How Can We Determine if Seepage Water Has Been Treated?
Author(s) -
Kline Pat
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2009.tb02966.x
Subject(s) - groundwater , mineral water , sump (aquarium) , environmental science , fluoride , sample (material) , chlorine , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , waste management , engineering , materials science , metallurgy , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , chromatography
This month's question asks if there is a reliable test to determine whether a water sample is groundwater or if it has been treated. This would be helpful in determining the cause of seepage or frequently running sump pumps. The answer discusses two aspects of water that are pertinent to the question, one chemical and one physical: water's ability to combine with chemicals and dissolve minerals; and, its ability to transport materials. Checking for various constituents such as chlorine or fluoride in groundwater, that are usually found in treated water, may indicate treated or untreated water. Performing a water audit is also suggested.