1 Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93106-9630
coombs@umail.ucsb.edu
* published April 2002
The quality of water in the deep basalt aquifer, the source of municipal well water for the City of Walla Walla, Washington, is currently excellent. Given a growing population and intensive agricultural practices, city officials worry that the quality of water may suffer in the future. The major contaminant threatening water quality is nitrate, which can cause major health problems such as infant death. The most probable manner in which nitrate and other contaminants might enter the deep basalt aquifer is through improperly sealed and/or old wellheads; however, little research has been conducted regarding hydraulic continuity among the deep basalt aquifer, the shallow gravel aquifer, and surface streams, as well as groundwater flow within each of the aquifers. It is recommended that, until more is known about the hydrogeology of the deep basalt aquifer, the city expand its wellhead protection program to include inspection to ensure the quality of this relatively pristine water source.
This report provides necessary scientific background on the hydrogeology of the Walla Walla River basin, chemical and physical characteristics of groundwater in the Columbia River Basalt Group, and health risks associated with high levels of certain chemical elements and compounds in drinking water. It also gives historical background on the municipal water supply in the city of Walla Walla and legal background on federal water-quality regulations. This information is provided to allow the reader to understand better the issues involved in assessing the threats to water quality in the deep basalt aquifer.
Map of the Walla Walla River basin
This report was written in cooperation with Whitman College and the Water Division of the Department of Public Works, City of Walla Walla, Wash.
Click here to view the PDF file (coombs2000.pdf) (648 KB).