USGS experts to discuss Sierra groundwater study

U.S. Geological Survey hydrologists will host a public meeting Thursday to discuss the Sierra’s groundwater resources, a source of drinking water for many county residents.

The event is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tuolumne Utilities District headquarters, at 18885 Nugget Blvd., off Tuolumne Road.
  

The meeting is being conducted by the USGS and the State Water Resources Control Board.

Specifically, hydrologists will discuss the initial results of a study of untreated groundwater from wells and springs throughout the Sierra Nevada. Their full report is expected to be completed in a year.

The State Water Board’s Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program collaborated with the USGS and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories on the study, which is part of the Priority Basin Project. The Priority Basin Project monitors and assesses groundwater quality throughout California.

With the voluntary cooperation of various water agencies and well owners, USGS is testing untreated groundwater in California over a 10-year period as part of the effort.

The good news, so far, to come from the study, according to the USGS, is groundwater appears healthy in much of the Sierra, largely because it’s pesticide-free and exhibits a large range of ages.

“Generally speaking, throughout the state, they have not found anything that is any kind of a surprise,” said USGS spokesman Jim Nickles, speaking on the health of Sierra groundwater.

Scientists like USGS hydrologist Jennifer Shelton point out that they have gathered some valuable data during the study.

In particular, information on the groundwater’s age — a measurement based on certain molecules found in the water — will be useful, as it essentially serves as an underground map on the flow of Sierra groundwater, Shelton said.