The Ground Water Recharge and Pollution Potential of Dry Wells in Pima County, Arizona

Abstract

AbstractThis paper summarizes a study to estimate the potential for dry‐well drainage of urban runoff to recharge and pollute ground water in Tucson, Arizona. We selected three candidate dry wells for study. At each site we collected samples of runoff, dry‐well sediment, vadose‐zone sediment, perched ground water, and ground water. Water content data from vadose‐zone samples suggest that dry‐well drainage has created a transmission zone for water movement at each site. Volatile organic compounds, while undetected in runoff samples, were present in dry‐well sediment, perched ground water at one site, and ground water at two sites. The concentrations of volatile organics (toluene and ethylbenzene) in the water samples were less than the corresponding EPA human health criteria. Pesticides were detected only in runoff and dry‐well sediment. Lead and chromium occurred in runoff samples at concentrations above drinking water standards. Nickel, chromium, and zinc concentrations were elevated in vadose‐zone samples at the commercial site. Of the metals, only manganese, detected at the residential site, exceeded Secondary Drinking Water Standards in ground water. It is concluded that the three dry wells examined during this study are currently not a major source of ground water pollution.