Publication Summary

Ground water quality was surveyed over a three-square mile area encompassing a large new dairy in Whatcom County. The survey consisted of periodic sampling and water-level monitoring of 21 domestic and irrigation wells located within a one mile radius(far-field) of the 900-head dairy. This survey was conducted in conjunction with a near-field, three-year ground water study which focused on ground water quality impacts of the waste storage lagoon at the new dairy. The lagoon is situated over a shallow, unconfined, outwash aquifer. The purpose of this far-field water quality survey was to 1) define far-field ground water flow conditions in the vicinity surrounding the dairy and lagoon, and, 2) identify changes in ground water quality in local wells potentially affected by dairy lagoon leakage.

Ground water quality was surveyed over a three-square mile area encompassing a large new dairy in Whatcom County. The survey consisted of periodic sampling and water-level monitoring of 21 domestic and irrigation wells located within a one mile radius(far-field) of the 900-head dairy. This survey was conducted in conjunction with a near-field, three-year ground water study which focused on ground water quality impacts of the waste storage lagoon at the new dairy. The lagoon is situated over a shallow, unconfined, outwash aquifer. The purpose of this far-field water quality survey was to 1) define far-field ground water flow conditions in the vicinity surrounding the dairy and lagoon, and, 2) identify changes in ground water quality in local wells potentially affected by dairy lagoon leakage. The survey began about two months before the initial lagoon filling on March 1, 1990. Ground water monitoring continued for over three years, ending in April 1993. Ground water samples were analyzed for specific conductance, major cations and anions including chloride, nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen (NO2+NO3-N) and ammonia. Ground water quality in the shallow aquifer was generally good, with local occurrences of elevated nitrate concentrations apparently due to local dairy and agricultural practices. Based on the water-level survey results, ground water flows toward the south-southeast. None of the domestic wells sampled are located directly downgradient from the studied dairy lagoon. Statistical analysis of chloride and nitrate data indicates that water quality in the domestic wells was unaffected following three years of Edaleen waste storage lagoon use.