ASSESSING THE GROUND-WATER QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HAMLET OF CARSELAND

A study of the ground water characteristics of the Hamlet of Carseland was undertaken following concern about residents' exposure to natural ly dissolved chemicals in their water supply. The results indicated th at the general quality of the water supply is adequate based on CDWQ. However, several parameters were found to exceed the maximum acceptabl e limit. Such parameters include calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, chloride, sodium, sulfate, and bicarbonate. The geochemical conditions leading to the current solution matrix of the aquifer was conceptuali zed in terms of the dynamic equilibrium arising between mineral availa bility and mineral solubility at the site. In that regard, a number of interrelated processes were postulated to form the geochemical basis as to the relatively high ionic concentration of various ions present in the ground water. Essentially, five principal geochemical processes were derived to formulate the framework of a conceptual model describ ing the dynamic geochemical evolution of ground water at the site. The Scheoller diagram obtained for the major ions present (Ca+2, SO4-2, N a+, Cl-, HCO3-, K+1, and Mg+2) in the ground water samples seems to in dicate that the ground water from the various wells have apparently un dergone similar patterns of geochemical evolution. Long term trend ind icates an increased in Ca+2, Na+ and K+1 ionic concentration in the aq uifer.