Summary Report of Spring Water Quality SamplingKarst Pilot Project Viroqua Wisconsin

Margaret ThielkeLynn ChakoianDoug Avoles, Vernon County Land Information Dept.Sarah Grainger, Valley Stewardship Network October 2011

Introduction

Water quality of springs within the Karst Pilot Project area in the vicinity of Viroqua Wisconsinwas determined as part of the pilot project funded by the Nuzum Foundation Kickapoo ValleyResforestation Fund. This support was made available through the University of Wisconsin(“Groundwater Vulnerability in the Kickapoo Watershed WI.”) Several dynamics are revealed inthe water quality of springheads. One is a rough measure of the response time of surfaceaquifers after rainstorms, and the other is evidence of the movement of pollutants in the system.The Valley Stewardship Network (VSN) water quality specialist worked with Kevin Rodolfo andLynn Chakoian to identify springs in the study area that were suitable for water qualitymonitoring. In July of 2009 temperature dataloggers were deployed. Margaret Thielke assistedin creating a QUAPP (appendix A) for the chemical sampling program, and later in coordinationwith VSN staff and Lynn Chakoian compiled these results.

Overview of Water Quality Concerns

Water quality is measurement of a surface water's ability to support aquatic life and be used asrecreational resource. In the case of groundwater, it is the ability to be used for humanconsumption. There are lists of various chemicals and bacteria which provide the measure of pollution (parameters.) Safe levels of contaminates in surface water are called standards, and are developed based onthe use of water. The cleanest surface water use is for fishing and recreation. Wisconsin's StateStandards list the limits of concentrations of pollutants which the water tested is consideredhealthy. The levels of parameters are measured in milligrams per liter. For groundwater thestandards are based on the potability of groundwater . The parameters in this study are the two basic indicators of human health. These are nitrite plus nitrate (NO

+NO

) and the number of E.coli (cfus/100 millimeters) or colony forming units in 100 milliliters of a water sample.

Nitrite plus nitrate (NO

+NO

) can substitute for oxygen in the bloodstream, especially ininfants, causing "blue baby syndrome.” The dangerous level is 10 mg/L of nitrate. E. coli is a bacteria that is found in the guts of warm-blooded animal. It indicates the groundwater iscontaminated from human or animal feces. E. coli is measured also because it represents the presence many other bacteria. These bacteria range from harmless to life-threatening. Thesources of contamination are leaking septic tanks, runoff from feeding lots, erosion from farmfields, overuse of pesticides and herbicides, leaking landfills and industrial discharge.There are many other contaminants in groundwater that make it unfit to drink. Atrazine has beenfound in wells in the study area and DATCP issued an atrazine application ban on acreage northof Viroqua along US Hwy 14. There are many pollutants from metals waste, pesticides,herbicides, other man-made chemicals that were not part of this pilot study.

Methods and Materials

The Karst Pilot Project included water quality sampling that occurred from July 2009 to the fallof 2010. The sampling completed provided measurements from both in-field and laboratoryanalysis. The field sampling measured instantaneous air temperature, instantaneous andcontinuous water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and saturation, pH and specificconductivity.Air temperature was measured using a mercury thermometer. A thermometer was placed in ashaded area at the sample site and read when the thermometer had stabilized, roughly 5 minutes.Depending on the equipment available at the time of sampling, one of two instruments was usedto measure dissolved oxygen and temperature. When available a YSI 85 handheld dissolvedoxygen/conductivity instrument was used which also allowed for conductivity testing. If thatinstrument was not available a YSI 550 A handheld dissolved oxygen instrument was used. Prior to field measurement the instrument was calibrated according to manufacturer instructions.Calibration occurred at the beginning of sampling for that day and repeated as necessary. Themeasurement was taken in-spring after the probe stabilized, approximately two to three minutesafter submersion.Measurement of pH was made using an Oakton Acorn pH 5. Instrument calibration wascompleted as per manufacturer instructions. Calibration was performed before sampling for theday and repeated as necessary. Readings were taken with the probe in-spring after the instrumenthad stabilized, approximately two to three minutes after submersion of probe.Transparency was measured using either a 30 inch or 120 cm Plexiglas transparency tube.Depending on the depth of the spring, the sample was collected either by submerging the tube tomid-depth in the flowing spring water or collected in a container and transferred to the tube.Caution was taken not to stir up the bottom sediment before and during sampling. Transparencymeasurement was recorded when the Secchi disk at the bottom of the tube was justdistinguishable. The measurement was taken before the sample had settled and out of directsunlight. Transparency depth corresponds to a measure of turbidity as nephelometric turbidityunits (NTU).

Continuous temperature measurements were taken with Onset Corporation Tidbit v2 dataloggers. These temperature sensors were placed immediately downstream of the spring outlet andsubmerged in the spring flow. Sensors were secured to anchors (metal plates and large rocks)attached with metal wire. Approximately every 3 months the data was downloaded from thesensor. Unfortunately, during monitoring three sensors were lost due to flood waters, whichresulted in data being lost for a three month period.The following chart indicates measurement range and accuracy for each parameter measured.

Parameter

Measurement Range AccuracyInstrument

Conductivity,specific

0 to 499.9 µS/cm0 to 4999 µS/cm0 to 49.99 mS/cm0 to 200.0 mS/cm±0.5% full scaleYSI 85

Dissolved Oxygen,concentration

0 to 20 mg/L+/- 0.3 or +/- 2% of reading, whichever isgreater YSI 550A, YSI 85

Dissolved Oxygen,percent saturation

0 to 200%+/- 2% of air saturation or +/- 2%of reading, whichever is greater YSI 550A, YSI 85

0 to 14 +/- 0.2Oakton Acorn pH 5

Temperature

-5 to +45°C+/- 0.3°CYSI 550A, YSI 85

Temperature

-20 to +30°C+/- 0.2°COnset Corp. Tidbit v2

Transparency

0 to 120 cmN/ATransparency TubeSamples were collected for laboratory analysis of ammonium, total phosphorus, nitrate plusnitrite and

Escherichia coli (E.coli).

Samples were analyzed by University of Stevens Point’sWater and Environmental Analysis Laboratory. Ammonium, total phosphorus and nitrate plusnitrite samples were collected from the springs in clean collection bottles that were rinsed at leastthree times in the spring bottles and the sample was poured into the pre-acidified (using sulfuricacid) sample bottles provided by the laboratory.

E.coli

samples were collected by submersing pre-sterilized bottles in the spring waters. After samples were collected they were immediately put on ice and delivery to the laboratories within 24hrs of collection.Laboratory samples were analyzed using the following methods.

Parameter

Method

Ammonium (N)

EPA Method 350.1, Lachat Method #10-107-06-1B

Nitrate + Nitrite(N)

Standard Methods* - 4500 NO3 F, Automated CadmiumReduction

Total Phosphorus

Standard Methods* - 4500 P F, Block Digester, Automated

E-COLI cfu/100mls

Colilert, Enzyme Substrate

* Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater