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Availability and quality of ground water in the Piedmont Province of Virginia

Water-Resources Investigations Report 85-4235
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri854235

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Abstract

The Piedmont Province of Virginia has an ample supply of groundwater, (perhaps as much as 1.5 billion gallons are in storage per sq mi) generally suitable for domestic and small supply needs. The source of this groundwater is precipitation, which is stored in the pore spaces of the regolith and in fractures in the underlying bedrock of crystalline rocks. Water within the sedimentary rocks of the sedimentary basins is stored in bedding planes, fractures, and in pore spaces in the rock, and in the regolith. Well yields can be minimized in both terrains by constructing wells along lineaments and in valleys. Groundwater in the crystalline rock is generally slightly mineralized and acidic (pH is greater than 7.0). Dissolved solids concentration in deep wells ( < 500 ft) in sedimentary rock may exceed tolerable limits. Land disposal of solid wastes and sewage for domestic septic systems present the major threat to groundwater quality. A greater understanding of the groundwater system in the Virginia Piedmont could be used to anticipate future shortages so that preventive measures could be implemented to protect the groundwater reservoir. (Author 's abstract)

Suggested Citation

Powell, J.D., Abe, J.M., 1985, Availability and quality of ground water in the Piedmont Province of Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 85-4235, v, 33 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri854235.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Availability and quality of ground water in the Piedmont Province of Virginia
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 85-4235
DOI 10.3133/wri854235
Year Published 1985
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey, WRD,
Description v, 33 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details