Introduction
The placement of wells near Contaminated groundwater is a public health concern. The Borough of Madison completes annual water quality reports (2022) that contribute to finding and monitoring contaminated sites. In addition, tracking this data helps aid in the placement of new wells to avoid contamination which can lead to serious health risks.
Data
Monitoring both wells and groundwater contamination improves our knowledge of water systems. It contributes to our ability to plan well placement while avoiding any public health issues with contaminated water. The map highlights contaminated groundwater locations and wellhead protection areas. The following site showcases in further detail active sites of contamination.
Figure 1: Classification Exception Areas-Well Restriction Areas for New Jersey – Groundwater Contamination Areas (CEA) (2023) Well Head Protection Areas For Public Community Water Supply Wells In New Jersey – Well Head Protection Areas (Community) (3 tiers groundwater captured by a well pumping at a specific rate over two-, five-, and twelve-year periods of time for unconfined wells ) (2021)
About the Data
Groundwater Contamination Areas (CEA) (2023) was created by the NJDEP Bureau of GIS. This layer uses Classification Exception Area (CEA) which monitors areas using New Jersey ground water quality standards (NJGWQS) to look for specific contaminants that have exceeded their limit.
Well Head Protection Areas (Community) (3 tiers) (2021) was created by the NJDEP Bureau of GIS. This layer was created in connection with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 and 1996 as part of the Source Water Area Protection Program (SWAP). It helps to define public water sources to wells.
Results
In Madison, the overall Contaminated Groundwater reports to only 2.99 acres worth of land. The map shows eight contaminated sites, highlighted in pink outline. Only .14 acres (one site) of the total 2.99 acres were areas that were a concern for the Wellhead protection sites.
Of Madison’s 2,767.52 acres of land there is a decent amount of coverage with the Wellhead Protection Area for Public Community Water Supply. Majority of the land is Tier-2 or 5 years, then Tier 1 which is also 2 years. Lastly Tier-3 covered the least amount of land.
Conclusion
Improving our knowledge of water systems by monitoring wells and underground contamination helps us to plan for safer placement of water systems. This map points out Madison’s wellhead protection areas and the overlapping of some groundwater contamination areas. By knowing this it allows for improvement of specific areas that are being affected and can be addressed accordingly. This project allows for health equity to exist among the residents of Madison Borough. By tracking the Wellhead Protection Sites this helps aid in prevention of health risks.
Other locations in the Madison ERI, such as Drinking Water Sources and Quality and Groundwater Recharge and Contamination share related information. Both of these additional projects are important for monitoring the water quality surrounding Madison, along with sharing Madison Wellhead Protection Sites layer.
