Panel: When Groundwater Becomes Surface Water – The Groundwater Industry Still Wins Work

Source Water Assessment Programs (SWAP) for public water supply systems can create excellent opportunities for ground water contractors, scientists, and engineers. Many states now use dye tracer analysis and/or microscopic particle analysis to determine if a new or existing source is “under the influence”. Some public water supplies have been directed to install filtration equipment after their ground water source is deemed under the influence of surface water. The supply then moves from being classified ground water to surface water, even though the source is a well. Ground water is perfect for membrane or conventional surface water treatment. Fluctuations in turbidity are small if any, and temperature is constant. It can eliminate pretreatment and flocculation. It saves on chemicals and is a safer, more secure source. When searching for new sources, ground water is an excellent choice for public water suppliers. Whether classified as ground water or surface water, a ground water well can prove to be efficient, effective, and economically more feasible.