The primary sources of usable water is Pennsylvania include rainwater , stream inflow from other states, surface water (stored in lakes, streams, and ponds), and groundwater. In 1966, it was estimated that Pennsylvanians use approximately 6.6 billion gallons of water per day and there is approximately 80 trillion gallons of groundwater and only 2.5 trillion gallons of surface water (DCNR, Educational Series 3: " The Geology of Pennsylvania's Groudwater"). Below the freshwater aquifer, the bedrock contains salt or brine water. This brine water is likely water that was trapped in the formation or material during deposition.
Because of the rural nature of Pennsylvania, groundwater provides approximately 85 percent of the water used for human consumption, but because it is difficult to see how water moves through the soil, unconsolidated material (sand and gravel) and bedrock, it has mystified individuals. For some homeowners, they believe that the groundwater comes from a vast underground lake or from underground streams that come from Canada, Virginia, Vermont, or even Maine. Even through there is a large database of information on groundwater in Pennsylvania, it still is difficult to really document the total available resource and actual movement and quantity without implementing a very elaborate system of monitoring wells, observation points, and background water quality data.
The hydrologic cycle describes the constant movement of water above, on, and below the earth's surface. As part of this cycle, water is transformed between liquid, solid and gases states. Condensation, evaporation and freezing of water occur in the cycle in response to the earth's climatic conditions.
The hydrologic cycle can begin with water evaporation from the earth's soil, plant and water surfaces to form water vapor. The energy required to evaporate water is supplied by the sun- Therefore the System is Solar Powered. Most of the evaporation occurs near the equator in the open ocean. It is estimated that 39 inches of water annually evaporate from each acre of ocean. Water vapor is drawn into the atmosphere by temperature gradients and can be transported over hundreds of miles by large air masses. When water vapor cools, it condenses to form clouds. As water condenses within clouds, water droplets increase in size until they fall to the earth's surface as precipitation such as rainfall, hail, sleet, or snow.
Approximately 50 to 90 percent of the water that falls to the earth's surface enters the soil. This water can become groundwater, but most of it evaporates from the soil surface or is used by vegetation via evapotranspriation (ET) or infiltrations into the surface and flows to streams and springs as interflow. Water that passes through the root zone may continue to move downward to reach the groundwater. In soils with fragipans, claypans or other low permeable strata of a limited extent, this water may create a seasonal high or perched water table. The distance water has to travel to reach groundwater can range from a few feet to hundreds of feet. Water movement toward groundwater may take hours or years, depending on the depth to the aquifer and the characteristics of the unsaturated zone.
For Pennsylvania, the annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 60 inches per year with a mean rainfall of approximately 41 inches. Approximately 55 to 60 percent of the precipitation occurs during the warmer months. Of this approximately, 20 inches or more is returned to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration (ET) or evaporation, 12 to 15 inches infiltrates into the groundwater system, and direct runoff accounts for approximately 6 to 12 inches of water. Groundwater storage in Pennsylvania is equivalent to approximately 100 inches of water, but a more conservative estimate is 47 trillion gallons (60 inches), of which, 9 to 12 trillion is naturally discharged to springs, seeps, streams, and lakes. Therefore, groundwater is not only used for drinking water, but the discharge of groundwawter to the surface and near-surface provides the necessary baseflow to support the aquatic habitats in Pennsylvania. (Groundwater and Surfacewater are Connected - they both must be properly managed).
For the full report - Free Go to our website !
Important Quotes
"More than one million private water systems exist in Pennsylvania, and 20,000 new wells are drilled each year in the state. There are no statewide regulations for private water systems--management is entirely voluntary."
"Up to 50% of private wells in PA - DO NOT meet primary drinking water standards" - Therefore, if these wells were regulated they would be classified as NOT Potable.
This is a problem - It is time to take action - Here is what you can do.
1. Learn More about Groundwater in PA
2. If you have certified baseline testing data - submit the data to the Citizen Database
3. Participate in Our Citizen Web- Survey - PA Residents - Residents outside of PA
4. Get your water tested - Informational Testing - Certified Testing
5. Our new booklet for Private Well Owners in PA
6. Methane Gas Migration
7. Our Free Online Help Guide - If you are having a water quality issue
8. Schedule a community education session or workshop
Or email me
bfenviro@ptd.net
Brian Oram, PG
Other resources
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians a member of the master well owners network via Penn State University (PSU and MWON and Brian Swistock)
Hydrologic Cycle
For Pennsylvania, the annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 60 inches per year with a mean rainfall of approximately 41 inches. Approximately 55 to 60 percent of the precipitation occurs during the warmer months. Of this approximately, 20 inches or more is returned to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration (ET) or evaporation, 12 to 15 inches infiltrates into the groundwater system, and direct runoff accounts for approximately 6 to 12 inches of water. Groundwater storage in Pennsylvania is equivalent to approximately 100 inches of water, but a more conservative estimate is 47 trillion gallons (60 inches), of which, 9 to 12 trillion is naturally discharged to springs, seeps, streams, and lakes, see Figure 2. Therefore, groundwater is not only used for drinking water, but the discharge of groundwawter to the surface and near-surface provides the necessary baseflow to support the aquatic habitats in Pennsylvania.
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