Here is introductory text about what a story is, how we build them, and what goals a user could hope to achieve by exploring this pre-defined collection of water data and insights.
It is important to remember that our groundwater typically comes from multilayered systems of aquifers and aquitards. Faulting, thick clays and dense rock can all create barriers to flow and limit the impact of pumping from one aquifer on other aquifers in the region.
If the colors are becoming lighter in an area, the depth to water is getting deeper over time. This likely means that water levels are dropping, but it can also be a sign that new wells are exploring for deeper water resources.
If the colors become darker, or stay the same, the groundwater is likely stable or rising. Shallow aquifers connected to perennial surface water often have stable water levels.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates municipal drinking water through enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for chemicals and minerals that have known health hazards. Private wells are not required to meet any specific water quality standards, but well owners are encouraged to test their water annually to understand any potential health risks.
Here is introductory text about what a story is, how we build them, and what goals a user could hope to achieve by exploring this pre-defined collection of water data and insights.
It is important to remember that our groundwater typically comes from multilayered systems of aquifers and aquitards. Faulting, thick clays and dense rock can all create barriers to flow and limit the impact of pumping from one aquifer on other aquifers in the region.
If the colors are becoming lighter in an area, the depth to water is getting deeper over time. This likely means that water levels are dropping, but it can also be a sign that new wells are exploring for deeper water resources.
If the colors become darker, or stay the same, the groundwater is likely stable or rising. Shallow aquifers connected to perennial surface water often have stable water levels.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates municipal drinking water through enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for chemicals and minerals that have known health hazards. Private wells are not required to meet any specific water quality standards, but well owners are encouraged to test their water annually to understand any potential health risks.