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A Note on Bacterial Growth Around a Recharge Well at Bay Park, Long Island, New York
Author(s) -
Vecchioli John
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr006i005p01415
Subject(s) - groundwater recharge , aquifer , bay , effluent , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , sewage , environmental engineering , groundwater , geology , geotechnical engineering , oceanography
Highly treated sewage plant effluent is being injected into a deep sand aquifer at Bay Park, Long Island, New York. High bacterial counts are observed in water pumped initially from the injection well after recharge termination, even though the injected water generally meets potable standards. Moreover, the number of bacteria recovered during pumping is much larger than the number injected. This suggests a growth of bacteria in the aquifer around the injection well, possibly in part on a filter mat of organic material formed at or near the aquifer‐gravel pack interface during injection. Continued pumping results in lower counts until virtually bacteria‐free water is produced. However, whenever pumping is stopped and restarted, the initial slug of water pumped shows higher counts than before shutdown. Apparently the surging action of the water dislodges bacteria that otherwise would not enter the well.