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Microbiological quality of water from noncommunity supply wells in carbonate and crystalline aquifers of Pennsylvania

Water-Resources Investigations Report 2001-4268
Prepared in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Supply and Wastewater Management
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri014268

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Abstract

Samples were collected from 59 noncommunity water supplies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from September 2000 to January 2001 and analyzed for pathogens and microbiological indicator organisms. The pathogens sampled were culturable viruses and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The indicator organisms sampled were total coliform, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), somatic coliphage, male- specific coliphage, and enterococcus. The two primary areas sampled for the project completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), were carbonate aquifers and crystalline aquifers. The results of all sampling showed culturable viruses were detected in 8 percent of the wells, H. pyloriin 7 percent of the wells, E. coli in 12 percent of the wells, total coliform in 46 percent of the wells, C. perfringens in 15 percent of the wells, somatic coliphage in 8 percent of the wells, male-specific coliphage in 5 percent of the wells, and enterococcus in 14 percent of the wells. Carbonate aquifers tended to have higher detection rates for the pathogens and indicators sampled than the crystalline aquifers. Detections of the pathogens and indicator organisms were not related statistically to the amounts of urban, agricultural, or forested area in a 1,500-foot radius around the sampled well. Somatic and male-specific coliphage showed the best relation to occurrence of culturable viruses. Culturable viruses and H. pylori were detected in wells in which no indicator organisms were present; therefore, none of the indicator organisms sampled provide complete assurance of pathogenfree water. The best predictive tool for virus screening was a combination of indicator organisms.

Suggested Citation

Lindsey, B.D., Rasberry, J.S., and Zimmerman, T.M., 2002, Microbiological quality of water from noncommunity supply wells in carbonate and crystalline aquifers of Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2001–4268, 30 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wri014268.

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • Sampling design
  • Methods of study 
  • Microbiological quality of ground water used for noncommunity water supply 
  • Summary and conclusions
  • References cited
  • Appendix 1. Noncommunity supply well information for Pennsylvania.
  • Appendix 2. Water-quality data for noncommunity supply wells in Pennsylvania 
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Microbiological quality of water from noncommunity supply wells in carbonate and crystalline aquifers of Pennsylvania
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 2001-4268
DOI 10.3133/wri014268
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description v, 30 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details