Publication Summary

Two hundred and forty-eight (248) water-supply wells and two (2) springs were sampled for nitrate and chloride over a ten-week period from February 18 through April 29, 1997. All sampled wells and springs obtained water from the Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer. The results of this project provide a unique spatial view of the spring nitrate+nitrite-N concentrations in the surficial aquifer essentially free of seasonal variation.

Two hundred and forty-eight (248) water-supply wells and two (2) springs were sampled for nitrate and chloride over a ten-week period from February 18 through April 29, 1997. All sampled wells and springs obtained water from the Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer. The results of this project provide a unique spatial view of the spring nitrate+nitrite-N concentrations in the surficial aquifer essentially free of seasonal variation.

Nitrate+nitrite-N concentrations ranged from less than the detection limit (0.01 mg/L) to 53 mg/L. Nitrate+nitrite-N concentrations at 53 sites (21%) exceeded 10 mg/L, the drinking water standard for public water-supply systems. Upgradient land uses most frequently identified in association with wells having 10 mg/L nitrate+nitrite-N or greater were raspberries and dairy. Cooperators assisting with well identification and sampling included the US Geological Survey, Whatcom County Health Department, Western Washington University, The Evergreen State College and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID SUMAS