Groundwater Survey Shows Little Evidence of Bacterial Contamination Near Rapid Infiltration Wastewater Treatment System

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Project Number:

DNR-021b

Other Project Number:

WR86R005

Funding Year:

1986

Contract Period:

Funding Source:

DNR

Investigator(s) and affiliations:
Chris Norenberg, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene;
Jon H. Standridge, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rapid infiltration wastewater land disposal systems are causing bacterial contamination of groundwater. Samples collected from monitoring wells upgradient and downgradient of wastewater treatment land disposal systems were analyzed for total coliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci. Data collected from twenty-three systems indicated that little or no bacterial contamination of the groundwater was occurring. The types of wastewater treatment land disposal systems tested included seepage cells, lagoons, and mound systems. Depths of wells sampled ranged from 5-110+ feet.

Project Report: