Premium
Reduction of microscopic particulates by aquifers
Author(s) -
Gollnitz William D.,
Clancy Jennifer L.,
Garner Stephen C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1997.tb08324.x
Subject(s) - aquifer , groundwater , particulates , infiltration (hvac) , environmental science , groundwater resources , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , soil science , environmental engineering , geotechnical engineering , materials science , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material
The authors introduce a method for evaluating natural reduction of microscopic particulates in aquifers that store groundwater under the direct influence of surface water. Many water utilities operate collection devices constructed in alluvial‐valley aquifers. Pumping groundwater from these systems may induce infiltration of surface water containing pathogenic protozoa. However, the porous sand and gravel of this kind of aquifer can significantly reduce the number of microscopic particulates that pass through the aquifer media. A method is proposed for evaluating the natural reduction efficiency of porous‐media aquifers, taking into consideration the transport of particulates through the aquifer during a period of maximum infiltration. The method allows regulators to estimate the risk of pathogenic protozoa, determine the log‐reduction credit warranted by the water's transport through the aquifer, and determine the type of treatment needed for the source.