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A national study analyzed untreated watersamples from ~1,100 public and 2,400domestic wells for 55 volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and found that supplies frompublic wells were more vulnerable to VOCcontamination than those from domesticwells. Analyses of ancillary data identifiednatural and anthropogenic variables associatedwith occurrence of the most frequentlydetected VOCs in public well samples. Perchloroetheneand trichloroethene in publicwell water was associated with point sourcesand pumping rates, whereas trihalomethanesand the oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl etherwere not associated with pumping rates andhad a nonpoint source signature.Study findings should increase awarenessof the risks posed by VOC contamination ofdrinking water supply wells and reaffirm theneed for comprehensive wellhead protectionprograms. VOC contamination of public wellsupplies can be minimized by effective managementpractices such as well permitting andland use planning, construction considerationssuch as well depth, and operational factorssuch as pumping rate.Includes 26 references, tables, figures.

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Edition: Vol. 102 - No. 5 Published: 05/01/2010File Size: 1 file , 910 KB