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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet 2002-05

Analysis of nitrate in ground water in Jackson County, Indiana: Continuation in anticipation of a "best management practices" remediation study

Funding Source:	Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Clean Water Act Section 319
Period of Contract:	1 Jul 2002 to 30 Sep 2003
Status:	completed — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Denver Harper

Issue

Results from a prior Section 319 project (Analysis of Nitrate in Ground Water in Jackson County, Indiana) have confirmed nitrate contamination in an aquifer located in an agricultural area northwest of Seymour (Jackson County), Indiana. Most residents in the area must now purchase bottled water, but many have expressed a desire to return to ground-water sources. If best management practices (BMPs) can be implemented, then natural processes may restore the aquifer to useability. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs, continuous monitoring of ground-water chemistry was needed.

Approach

The purpose of the project was to maintain an uninterrupted flow of baseline data. Ground-water samples were collected quarterly by IGS personnel and analyzed by the laboratory of the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) for chemicals of concern.

Products

This project provided for continuous data collection and analysis in anticipation of a BMP study. A final report documented the accomplishments of the project and provide water-chemistry and water-level databases.

Benefits

If best management practices can be implemented that eliminate or significantly reduce the leaching of nitrate to the water table, then the natural processes of dilution and denitrification have the potential of restoring the aquifer to useability.

Locations Affected:

Jackson

Indiana House Districts Affected:

65

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

44

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated January 29, 2007

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