Ground Water Under Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI)
July 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The term “GWUDI” refers to a groundwater source that is located close enough to nearby surface water (e.g., a river or lake) so as to receive some amount of direct surface water recharge. If a portion of the water source is from surface water, then the groundwater source is considered to be at risk of contamination from pathogens and viruses that are not normally found in true groundwater. Ridgewood completed a screening process of all of its wells in 1994, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) found that none of the wells were considered to be under the direct influence of surface water.
More recently, data reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested that five Ridgewood Water wells may be under the direct influence of surface water, and as a result, Ridgewood Water has installed advanced disinfection equipment at four of these locations, and removed the fifth well from service. Ridgewood Water will continue to study the water quality at these wells during the next year to better understand the relationship between surface water and groundwater and determine whether additional treatment steps are necessary.
In light of this information, Ridgewood Water is also performing a study of 33 additional wells in the water supply system that are located near surface water bodies to look for any evidence of surface water influence in these wells. If any evidence is found during the course of this study of such a connection, Ridgewood Water will immediately install advanced disinfection treatment at these locations. It is important to note that routine distribution system monitoring of the Ridgewood Water distribution system since 2005 has never detected any positive samples in the entire system that would indicate a surface water impact on microbiologic quality of water supplied to customers.
Ridgewood Water is beginning a year-long study of its supply well system to evaluate the vulnerability of the wells to microbiological contamination from nearby surface water bodies.
Quarterly progress updates can be found HERE.
ABOUT THE STUDY
Ridgewood will be performing the GWUDI study under a rigorous Source Water Monitoring Plan which has been approved by the EPA. The study involves the collection of water samples from up to 38 wells and three surface water locations on a weekly and biweekly basis. The samples will be analyzed in the laboratory for evidence of microbiologic activity and for other “indicator parameters” that may indicate surface water influence.
All samples will be collected and analyzed by an NJDEP-certified laboratory and will be reported on a quarterly basis to the NJDEP and EPA.
Group 1 Wells (2 locations)
For the two Group 1 wells, EPA has determined that the occasional presence of of e.coli in raw water has occurred and is requiring further assessment to determine whether there is evidence of a direct connection of these sources to surface water. Ridgewood will perform weekly raw water monitoring at the two Group 1 wells for the presence of fecal coliform, e. coli and turbidity.
Group 2 Wells– (3 locations)
For the three Group 2 wells, EPA has determined that the occasional presence of of e.coli in raw water has occurred and is requiring further assessment to determine the degree of influence of nearby surface water on each well and whether there is a need for additional treatment. Ridgewood will perform weekly raw water monitoring at the two Group 2 wells for the presence of fecal coliform, e. coli, aerobic spores, pH, temperature and turbidity. Ridgewood will also perform weekly surface water monitoring at associated surface water bodies for the same parameters. The third well has been shut down and is being reevaluated for reconstruction or permanent closure.
Group 3 Wells – (33 locations)
The 33 Group 3 wells have not exhibited any evidence of being under the influence of surface water. These wells were previously screened by NJDEP and were not found to warrant additional assessment. As such, the NJDEP issued monitoring waivers to Ridgewood for these wells. EPA has determined that a further assessment of these wells is warranted at this time. The monitoring will consist of biweekly raw water sampling and analysis for e.coli bacteria.
Ridgewood has also agreed to perform Hydrogeologic Sensitivity Assessments (HSAs) of all Group 3 wells. These are reviews of the conditions and potential sources of surface contamination at each location to assess their vulnerability to future microbiologic contamination
SUEZ North America Water Co is looking better and better.
I agree with Bernie Walsh. Sell it to someone who knows how to manage it properly. We obviously don’t.
This doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the management of Ridgewood Water, it just looks like it’s a reaction to tighter restrictions by the EPA aimed at protecting public health. I for one am happy to see that more attention is being paid to the source and quality of our water.
Selling would be an enormous mistake. Some corporation (perhaps in another country or continent) is going to care more about the quality of our water?
I agree with 11:38. Selling would mean losing control of quality, of testing and pricing. I want control to know the truth about the water and to fix the problems. Even if it means more expense, higher water rates. Another company taking control would charge even more and give less quality. Everyone knows that.
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“I want control to know the truth about the water and to fix the problems.” and you think that is happing now with Ridgewood Water?
11:59, we in fact don’t know the truth about our water and they are not fixing the problems. How many times have you received an “after the fact” letter talking about lead and arsenic in our water supply? Current Ridgewood Water management is incompetent, and it’s a black hole of graft and incompetence. Sell it to a professional water company, what we have now is amateur.
Selling Ridgewood water would be a mistake as we lose total control We finally have someone in charge of Ridgewood water who appears to be very knowledgeable.
What a bogus argument 2:12…. Don’t sell because we “finally” have someone in charge who “appears” knowledgable? That’s laughable. Ridgewood Water has been a cesspool of corruption and incompetence for years, it’s time we put it in the hands of a professional water management company.
There’s no bad chemical in other water in towns across Ridgewood and America , only Ridgewood.
In other towns they find out after kids get lead poisoning and there is a cancer epidemic.
You have all the modern conveniences and material goodies, well now you are going to have to pay , with a little poison in the water from the chemicals that make those goodies, including Teflon pots and pans.
The only way is to keep checking water and disinfect. Chemicals are impossible to get rid of. You can pretend that another company will make everything great but that is pretending. Now why don’t you smarties get a DVD called The Human Experiment , it’s in the library and you will learn about how all the goodies you rely on are poisoning the environment. This all was known many years ago, but hey, the Teflon was worth it. Right. Most people keep their head in the sand. Enjoy your chemical lifestyle. And the crap that makes your lawn oh so pretty and bug free.