Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Pollution in urban areas has been documented extensively throughout Kentucky, and is one of the
top three contributors to impairments of surface streams in the Commonwealth. Well developed
karst terrain occurs in 25 percent or more of Kentucky, and many of the largest urban areas are built
on karst. Little filtering or degradation of the pollutants occurs before reaching groundwater in
karst areas because of the relatively rapid water movement.
Recent research of base flows at karst springs in Kentucky identified an undocumented groundwater
effect within the urban areas. When compared with rural karst springs, the springs located in urban
areas discharge from two to ten times their predicted base flows. Increased impervious surface in
urban areas is known to reduce precipitation infiltration and natural groundwater recharge.
However, artificial or enhanced recharge from leaking infrastructure, lawn watering, and other
urban activity appears to increase groundwater flow significantly. Typical wastewater and water
supply infrastructure has been estimated to lose from 8% to 60% of its flow to underground leakage,
and is likely a major factor in the observed base flow change.
This study proposes to determine whether the observed increase in base flow at urban karst springs
is derived from leaking infrastructure, and to identify possible sources. The study will monitor
three karst springs in the Bluegrass Region that show the most significant deviation from normal
base flow. Monitoring the impacted springs will quantify urban pollution that is reaching the karst
aquifer. Russell Cave Spring and McConnell Spring in Lexington, and Big Spring in Versailles are
the target monitoring points. McConnell Spring discharges into Wolf Run, a tributary to 303(d)
first priority Town Branch. Russell Cave Spring discharges into 303(d) second-priority North
Elkhorn Creek, upstream of the backup water intake for the City of Georgetown. Big Spring feeds
Glenns Creek, and all three locations eventually flow to the Kentucky River.
Information from the study will be relevant to any location where urban areas overly karst aquifers.
The study will provide learning opportunities for Kentucky Geological Survey student interns, and
the results can be used to educate residents, businesses and local agencies in best management
practices to minimize targeted pollutants, and to identify infrastructure problems.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 3/1/04 → 2/28/05 |
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