WIS272 GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT 02/26/1990 08:33 AM D1 339 Lines Agriculture Resources Management Groundwater Quality and Management (10-30 days) This unit deals with the factors involved in groundwater quality and management. Topics include the study of the hydrologic cycle, Wisconsin aquifers, possible contaminants through various land uses, and problem resolution and management. Careers and career opportunities are an integral part of the course. Objectives To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in the groundwater quality and management industry To develop student understanding of the dynamics of water movement and groundwater recharge To illustrate the relationship of the hydrologic cycle to groundwater resources in Wisconsin To emphasize the value of groundwater as a natural resource To help students identify potential threats to groundwater quality To facilitate student inquiry into strategies and methods for maintaining groundwater quality To acquaint students with the nature and extent of government intervention into the groundwater management area Competencies At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to explain current employment information such as job descriptions, job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment in the area of groundwater quality and management and relate it to their personal needs and aspirations; define and describe the hydrologic cycle; describe the four Wisconsin aquifers; identify several uses of groundwater; identify many natural chemical characteristics of groundwater; describe the impact of land use on water quality; identify many health concerns related to groundwater pollution; describe methods of resolving groundwater problems; explain the government's role in maintaining quality groundwater; analyze agricultural contributions to water problems and offer solutions to them; be familiar with agencies that work with water quality management; properly take water samples; and perform tests on water samples. Subject Matter (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets following title.) Careers - Current and future employment needs - Job descriptions - Training requirements - Working conditions - Opportunities for advancement - Other factors Groundwater resource [Science] - Hydrologic (water) cycle - Groundwater recharge and movement - Aquifer types - Natural chemical characteristics Groundwater use - Municipal water supplies - Private water supplies - Industrial use - Agricultural use Water quality measures [Science] - Coliform indexhuman sewage - Dissolved oxygen (DO) - Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) - Phosphates Land use and impact on water quality [Social Studies] - Residential development Septic systems Household hazardous wastes Home lawns and gardens - Agricultural activities Fertilizers Pesticides Animal waste storage - Industrial activities Volatile organic compounds Industrial disposal - Underground storage tanks - Landfills and dumps - Mining - Wastewater and sludge disposal - Bulk storage Health concerns [Social Studies] - Nitrates Sources Health impacts - Bacteria Sources Health impacts - Pesticides, volatile organic compounds, petroleum Sources Health impacts Problem resolution - Home well monitoring - Eliminating sources of contamination - Well depth and location - Home water treatment State regulatory framework for groundwater management - Wisconsin Groundwater Bill Groundwater standards Well compensation Groundwater monitoring Laboratory certification Environmental repair fund - State agency responsibilities Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) - Local regulatory options Education/information Septic ordinances Well codes Zoning 1.restricting uses 2.restricting areas Motivational Activities Take field trips to sites such as: - a municipal or county landfill; - a municipal water-treatment plant; - a well-drilling site; - a private water-testing laboratory; - beverage- or food-processing industries; - water resource sites, including springs, streams, lakes, and wetlands; - and rock exposures that show the effects of groundwater. Invite resource people, such as the following, to give class presentations: - water chemist - well-drilling contractors, pump dealers, or plumbers - environmental specialists - hydrologists, hydrogeologists, and engineers View films, videotapes, and slides on topics related to this unit. Post bulletin board displays on groundwater movement. Learning Activities Participate in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Design a bulletin board display on the various topics relating to groundwater. Research and report on how water resources have influenced the history of the community. Interview resource people regarding water quality and the needs of various manufacturing and industrial operations and give a report to the class. Do a water-use audit for your home or farm, and then develop a plan to conserve water. Collect or develop cartoons that address various issues related to groundwater. Collect and test water samples to determine suitability for drinking. Research how different types of wells are constructed and give a report on it. Develop a survey that assesses the community's awareness and attitudes toward groundwater. Organize or take part in a class contest for a speech, essay, or poster about groundwater. Compile a list of hazardous wastes in your home, such as pesticides, paints, and solvents. Discuss the various pollutants in the groundwater and their tolerable levels. Discuss local groundwater problems and and determine who is at fault, who should pay, and how problems can be prevented. Construct a groundwater flow model. Construct a model of a conventional or mound septic system. Instructional Materials Textbooks and References Elementary Soil and Water Engineering by Glenn O. Schwab and Richard K. Frevert. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1985. Available from National Farm Book Company. Planning for an Individual Water System. 4th ed. Athens, GA: American Association for Vocational Instructional Materials, 1982. Soil and Water Conservation by Frederick R. Troeh et al. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1980. Available from National Farm Book Company. Water Quality and Its Control by J.C. Lamb. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1985. Bulletins and Pamphlets The following is available from the American Chemical Society. Chemical Risk: A Primer. 1984. The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service. Aldicarb and Wisconsin's Groundwater. G3218. Drinking Water Contamination: Understanding the Risks. G3339. How Drinking Water Standards Are Established. G3338. Improving Your Drinking Water Quality. G3378. Land Use and Groundwater Quality in the Central Wisconsin Sand and Gravel Aquifer. G3335. Maintaining Your Home Well Water System. G3399. Pesticides in Groundwater: How They Get There; What Happens to Them; How to Keep Them Out. G3213. Viruses and On-Site Wastewater Treatment. R2740. Wisconsin's Groundwater: An Invaluable Resource. G2651. The following are available from the National Water Well Association. America's Priceless Groundwater Resource. 1977. Before You Hire a "Water Witch." 1978. Domestic Water Treatment for Homeowners. 1982. Everything You Wanted to Know About Septic Tanks. Groundwater Heat Pumps. Groundwater Pollution Control. Water Conservation in Your Home. The following are available from the Wisconsin DNR. Acid Rain. AM-015. Bacteriological Contamination of Drinking Water. 2-3300. Groundwater Study Guide. 19-8500. Groundwater - Wisconsin's Buried Treasure. Supplement to Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Nitrate in Drinking Water. WS-001. You and Your Well. Periodicals Environmental Pollution Soil and Water Conservation News Water Pollution Control Federation Journal Water Resources Research Computer Software The following is available from the Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center. Gerbil. IBM. The following is available from NAGT-Computer. NAGT Special Publication No. 1. Laboratory Resources Groundwater flow model. (Available from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.) Water test kits Films, Videotapes, and Slides The following are available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction. Groundwater. 10509 (VHS videotape, color, 18 minutes) or 07894 (16mm film, color, 19 minutes). Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation, 1982. Wisconsin's Groundwater. 11375 (VHS videotape, color, 25 minutes) or 09945 (16mm film, color, 26 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1982, 1984. The following are available from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Film Rental Library. Water. 2X420/C (16mm film, color, 13 minutes). Journal Films, 1981. Water: A Precious Resource. 6B827/F (16mm film, color, 23 minutes). National Geographic Society, 1979. The Water Cycle. 4P750/C (16mm film, color, 14 minutes). Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation, 1980. Water for All Living Things. 2B209/B (16mm film, color, nine minutes). Educational Horizons. Equipment and Facilities The following is available from the Bureau of Water Resources Management, Wisconsin DNR. Groundwater and Land Use in the Water Cycle.