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==Groundwater==
 
==Groundwater==
There have been many studies of the impact of stormwater infiltration on groundwater quality. Some of these studies are summarized. The [[Surface water and groundwater quality impacts from stormwater infiltration#Conclusions - groundwater|Conclusions section] provides an interpretation of these studies.
 
  
===Conclusions===
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*Heavy metals
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===Potential risk to groundwater===
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*[http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Metals_in_stormwater Heavy metals]
 
**Heavy metals are typically present at low levels in urban stormwater and are generally retained in the upper soil layers via adsorption to solid particles.
 
**Heavy metals are typically present at low levels in urban stormwater and are generally retained in the upper soil layers via adsorption to solid particles.
 
**Eventual breakthrough can occur due to the finite sorption capacities of the soil media.
 
**Eventual breakthrough can occur due to the finite sorption capacities of the soil media.
 
**Periodic replacement of the upper soil layer within infiltration systems will maintain low soil concentrations and decrease the potential for contaminating groundwater.
 
**Periodic replacement of the upper soil layer within infiltration systems will maintain low soil concentrations and decrease the potential for contaminating groundwater.
*Organic compounds
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*Organic compounds ([http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Pesticides_in_stormwater Pesticides]; [http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Polycyclic_Aromatic_Hydrocarbons_.28PAHs.29_in_stormwater PAHs]; [http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Volatile_Organic_Compounds_.28VOCs.29_in_stormwater VOCs])
 
**Because of the diversity of organic compounds, it is difficult to generalize, but typically these are at low concentration in stormwater runoff.
 
**Because of the diversity of organic compounds, it is difficult to generalize, but typically these are at low concentration in stormwater runoff.
 
**Many compounds are attenuated within the infiltration media, where they may be degraded or immobilized.
 
**Many compounds are attenuated within the infiltration media, where they may be degraded or immobilized.
 
**BMPs with little or no organic material, particularly underground practices, may present some risk if concentrations of organic chemicals are elevated in stormwater runoff.
 
**BMPs with little or no organic material, particularly underground practices, may present some risk if concentrations of organic chemicals are elevated in stormwater runoff.
*Nitrate
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*[http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Nitrogen_in_stormwater Nitrate]
 
**Although nitrate is poorly attenuated in most infiltration BMPs, concentrations in stormwater are generally low, resulting in low risk to groundwater.
 
**Although nitrate is poorly attenuated in most infiltration BMPs, concentrations in stormwater are generally low, resulting in low risk to groundwater.
 
*Phosphorus
 
*Phosphorus
 
**Phosphorus is strongly attracted to solid particles and the resulting risk to groundwater is low.
 
**Phosphorus is strongly attracted to solid particles and the resulting risk to groundwater is low.
*Chloride
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*[http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Chloride_in_stormwater Chloride]
 
**Chloride is not attenuated within infiltration systems
 
**Chloride is not attenuated within infiltration systems
 
**Chloride may present a concern for groundwater where concentrations are high in stormwater runoff. This occurs in areas where application of choride-based deicers if high, such as major transportation and high density commercial areas.
 
**Chloride may present a concern for groundwater where concentrations are high in stormwater runoff. This occurs in areas where application of choride-based deicers if high, such as major transportation and high density commercial areas.
*Pathogens
+
*[http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Pollutant_fate_and_transport_in_stormwater_infiltration_systems#Pathogens_in_stormwater Pathogens]
 
**Concentrations of pathogens in stormwater runoff are often high
 
**Concentrations of pathogens in stormwater runoff are often high
 
**There is limited information on fate and transport of pathogens through infiltration systems
 
**There is limited information on fate and transport of pathogens through infiltration systems
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Proposed Evaluation Methodology for Predicting Groundwater Contamination Potential from Stormwater Infiltration Activities], presents a 3 step process for predicting groundwater contamination potential.
 
Proposed Evaluation Methodology for Predicting Groundwater Contamination Potential from Stormwater Infiltration Activities], presents a 3 step process for predicting groundwater contamination potential.
 
*Environmental Protection Agency. [http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_gwimpacts.cfm Groundwater Impacts]. This webpage provides a list of 24 articles, most published in peer-review journals, with links, that address the topic of stormwater infiltration and groundwater quality.
 
*Environmental Protection Agency. [http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_gwimpacts.cfm Groundwater Impacts]. This webpage provides a list of 24 articles, most published in peer-review journals, with links, that address the topic of stormwater infiltration and groundwater quality.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
==Related pages==
 
==Related pages==
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*[[Decision tools for stormwater infiltration|Decision tools]]
 
*[[Decision tools for stormwater infiltration|Decision tools]]
 
*[[Stormwater infiltration research needs|Research needs]]
 
*[[Stormwater infiltration research needs|Research needs]]
*[[References for stormwater infiltration]]-->
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*[[References for stormwater infiltration]]
  
 
<noinclude>
 
<noinclude>
 
[[Category:Infiltration]]
 
[[Category:Infiltration]]
 
</noinclude>
 
</noinclude>

Revision as of 19:03, 29 July 2015

This site is currently undergoing revision. For more information, open this link.
This site was recently updated and is undergoing development. Anticipated completion date is July, 2015.

This page provides information on surface water and groundwater impacts associated with infiltration of stormwater runoff.

Groundwater

Potential risk to groundwater

  • Heavy metals
    • Heavy metals are typically present at low levels in urban stormwater and are generally retained in the upper soil layers via adsorption to solid particles.
    • Eventual breakthrough can occur due to the finite sorption capacities of the soil media.
    • Periodic replacement of the upper soil layer within infiltration systems will maintain low soil concentrations and decrease the potential for contaminating groundwater.
  • Organic compounds (Pesticides; PAHs; VOCs)
    • Because of the diversity of organic compounds, it is difficult to generalize, but typically these are at low concentration in stormwater runoff.
    • Many compounds are attenuated within the infiltration media, where they may be degraded or immobilized.
    • BMPs with little or no organic material, particularly underground practices, may present some risk if concentrations of organic chemicals are elevated in stormwater runoff.
  • Nitrate
    • Although nitrate is poorly attenuated in most infiltration BMPs, concentrations in stormwater are generally low, resulting in low risk to groundwater.
  • Phosphorus
    • Phosphorus is strongly attracted to solid particles and the resulting risk to groundwater is low.
  • Chloride
    • Chloride is not attenuated within infiltration systems
    • Chloride may present a concern for groundwater where concentrations are high in stormwater runoff. This occurs in areas where application of choride-based deicers if high, such as major transportation and high density commercial areas.
  • Pathogens
    • Concentrations of pathogens in stormwater runoff are often high
    • There is limited information on fate and transport of pathogens through infiltration systems
    • Infiltration practices that utilize media with organic matter are likely to be most effective in attenuating pathogens, while systems with little or no organic matter, particularly underground systems, are less effective.

Literature review

Proposed Evaluation Methodology for Predicting Groundwater Contamination Potential from Stormwater Infiltration Activities], presents a 3 step process for predicting groundwater contamination potential.

  • Environmental Protection Agency. Groundwater Impacts. This webpage provides a list of 24 articles, most published in peer-review journals, with links, that address the topic of stormwater infiltration and groundwater quality.

Related pages