WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF KARST SPRINGWATER AS A PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY SOURCE IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

Karst springs are an essential source of private water supply in northeast Tennessee for various end-users. There are no regulatory standards for private (drinking) water quality in the state, unlike the public water system, while water users are only advised to test for contaminants in private water sources like springs or private wells. Water quality generally is spatially and temporally dynamic in terms of chemical quality, and more prominently in a karst environment, therefore, this study investigates the water quality of roadside springs used for drinking water. Parameters to be measured include E. coli, radon, and various physicochemical properties (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chloride, fluoride, sulfide, nitrite, and nitrate). I plan to collect 51 water samples from 51 spring locations so that spatial patterns in spring water quality can be evaluated using spatial interpolation, statistical correlation, or spatial regression. Spring water quality results will be compared to water quality of the streams into which these springs discharge. Preliminary work to be presented here includes identification of sampling sites and sampling strategies and integration of existing data, including geology and spring water quality data from a prior related study. Key findings will guide the delineation of the studied karst springs into risk regions for microbial, chemical, and radioactive content, and identification of key factors associated with high risk regions

Evaluation of Karst Spring Water Quality Using Water Quality Indices in Northeast Tennessee

Ensuring access to safe drinking water to protect public health in many communities underserved or unserved by centralized water systems in the US requires regular water quality testing and reporting. Following testing, access to easy-to-comprehend water quality information may be challenging. Households served by water utilities have access to water quality information. However, households depending on unregulated water systems like wells and springs are often unaware of their water quality. Therefore, this study utilized multiple water quality parameters to determine the quality of karst spring water using two Water Quality Index (WQI) methods. In-situ measurements of physico-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, oxidation reduction potential were taken at 50 karst springs in east Tennessee during Summer 2021. Water samples were analyzed for microbial (fecal coliform, and E. coli), nutrients (nitrate and nitrite), and radiological (radon) constituents using standard analytical methods. Springs generally met federal and state water quality safe limits for physicochemical parameters, but 100% of water samples contained fecal coliform and 90% contained E. coli revealing widespread fecal contamination; 60% of springs exceeded radon concentrations of 300 pCi/L. WQI method 1 (Brown et al. 1972) rated 12 % of springs as very poor water quality and 88% as unfit for drinking. WQI method 2 (NSFWQI) rated 4% of the sampled springs as good, 92% as moderate and 4 % as bad. Water treatment procedures for microbial pollution purification are advised before the studied springs are used as a drinking water source

Water Quality Assessment of Karst Spring Water as a Private Water Supply Source in Northeast Tennessee

Karst springs are an essential source of private water supply for about 10% of households in Tennessee. However, these springs, which can be easily polluted, are unregulated. This study, therefore, assesses water quality spatial patterns and water quality rating of roadside springs in northeast Tennessee. Karst spring water samples collected from 50 springs were assessed using EPA Standard methods for pathogens, nutrients, radon, and physicochemical parameters. Springs generally met federal and state standards for physicochemical parameters, 90% of samples contained E. coli, and all samples contained fecal coliform. High E. coli was spatially clustered causing a fecal contamination hot spot on the border of Washington and Sullivan Counties, Tennessee. 60% of springs exceeded radon concentrations of 300 pCi/L. Water quality ratings were very poor or unfit for drinking, with 4% of springs ranked “good”. Therefore, microbial pollution purification procedures are advised before using these springs as a drinking water source