Computer models and statistical methods evaluate risk to water supply wells from contaminated ground water.
Note: Please see physical copy of National Driller for illustrations referenced in this article.
As the demand for ground water grows, more and more water supplies are placed in close proximity to commercial and industrial facilities that may pose a risk to the safety of drinking water. Chemicals accidentally released into the ground water system may migrate into aquifers used for drinking water, thereby posing health risks. The following two case studies are examples of basic methods to determine if the water supply users were at risk from the chemical release.