Overview:
A combination of geologic reconnaissance, geophysical exploration, and test borings have been used to identify new municipal well sites for the Waukesha Water Utility. Three test well locations have been selected on the basis of the exploration project. Two wells were constructed, and a yield of over 1,400 gpm is being realized from the well field. In addition, several other sites have been identified through reconnaissance, and more well development is anticipated in the near future. These new wells, located in the sand and gravel aquifer, will be blended with water from existing wells that contain high levels of naturally occurring radium to meet federal drinking water standards.
Unusual Facts:
This City of 67,000 people is struggling to meet the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for radium in drinking water. What exactly is radium? Radium is a very common, naturally occurring radioactive element. Certain types of rocks, such as shales, granites and sandstones, contain a higher percentage of radium than other rocks. High levels of exposure are believed to cause cancer in humans. But, what about the lower levels of exposure typically contained in drinking water? There is no hard data that confirms that drinking water containing radium over the course of a lifetime increases the threat of cancer. However, the compliance levels established by the EPA are done as a preventative measure until more research either confirms or negates that theory. In the mean time, the drinking water standard is set at 5pCi per liter of water.