Groundwater quality in Tennessee

The US Geological Survey, Tennessee District, recently summarized the background water quality of the principal aquifers in Tennessee. Chemical constituents and physical properties of groundwater in Tennessee generally do not exceed the national drinking water standards. Water in sand aquifers is commonly soft and slightly acidic, with small concentrations of dissolved solids. In several regions, increased iron and sulfate concentrations result from the dissolution of pyrite and other iron- and sulfur-bearing minerals. In carbonate aquifers, geochemical interactions cause increases in hardness and alkalinity along most flow paths. Saline water occurs in deep aquifers or within poorly developed solution openings in flatlying carbonate rocks. Nitrate is seldom a problem in Tennessee's ground waters. Through its cooperative program, statewide groundwater quality monitoring networks are being initiated by the Tennessee District which increase the knowledge of groundwater quality in Tennessee.