Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Evaluation Groundwater Chemistry in Gonzales County, Texas and Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas

EPA Grant Number: X832228
Title: Evaluation Groundwater Chemistry in Gonzales County, Texas and Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas
Investigators: Abbott, Michael
Institution: Texas State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: June 1, 2005 through June 1, 2006 (Extended to February 29, 2008)
Project Amount: $145,400
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2004) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

This project, funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, included two efforts. The first part was a groundwater chemistry/recharge study in Gonzales County. The second part developed a system of instructional workshops and educational programs intended to provide direct assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) in Texas. These workshops provided GCD employees with a technical background in basic hydrogeologic principles, skills in groundwater modeling and database development and maintenance, and an understanding of the groundwater availability models (GAM) used by the Texas Water Development Board to evaluate groundwater resources. The results of this project will be used to develop a long-term initiative at Texas State University for providing technical and educational assistance to GCDs which lack qualified technical personnel.

Part I Evaluation of Groundwater Chemistry in Gonzales County, Texas

This project component consisted of an evaluation of groundwater chemistry in Gonzales County, located in the Guadalupe River Basin in southeast Texas. The objective of this study was to provide background information on groundwater quality that can be used in the future to determine the impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), and other livestock operations, on water resources in the county.

This study involved a compilation of historical groundwater chemistry data from state agency databases and the development of a geographic information systems (GIS) database. Collection and analysis of water samples from wells, springs, and gaining streams in the county was not completed since the principle investigator left the university before completing the field work.

The final products of the Gonzales County groundwater chemistry evaluation are a GIS, maps of sample locations, known animal feeding operations, hydrochemical facies, and contours of chemical parameters. These data will serve as a description of the baseline chemistry parameters in the county for future studies of the impacts of livestock operations and other anthropogenic sources of contamination.

Figure 1. Location of Gonzales County

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Work Performed and Results

Existing and historical data for the study area were obtained from public sources and state agency databases (see table 1 and accompanying CD of data). These data include:

1. GIS coverages of the geopolitical boundaries, hydrologic units, geology, and hydrogeology of the study area,
2. data on well locations, well construction details, and well owners from the state-maintained databases,
3. historical data on water levels in wells, and
4. historical data on water chemistry from wells throughout the study area.

Table 1. Summary of Gonzales County GIS Data

SCOPE	SUBJECT	ATTRIBUTES	FILE NAME	METADATA
Texas	Major Rivers	Basin SLN # Basin SLN ID	basinsln.shp	PDF & link provided
Texas	Counties	Name Area Land Area (Sq mi) Water Area (Sq mi) Population (Data Availability): DOQQ (1992-95) DOQQ02 (2002) DOQQ03IM (2003)	cntys04.shp	PDF & link provided
Texas	Major Aquifers	Aquifer Name Area	major_aquifers.shp	XML document
Texas	Minor Aquifers	Aquifer Name Area	minor_aquifers.shp	XML document
Texas	Rivers & Streams	TYPES: Intermittent Stream Major River Major Stream Shoreline State Boundary Water Body	hydrogena.shp	NONE PROVIDED
Gonzales Co.	County boundary		GonzalesCountyBoundary.shp	XML document
Gonzales Co.	Major Roads	Route Name Route Prefix Route Number etc…	GonzalesCountyHighway.shp	NONE PROVIDED
Gonzales Co.	Major Roads	(same as above)	Gonzales.shp (**above .shp dissolved)	XML document
Gonzales Co.	Major & Minor Roads	Strat Map ID Prefix Pretype Name Type Ext Suffix FCC etc….	x177_v2.shp	XML document
Gonzales Co.	Wells Water Level	State Well # Aquifer code? Well Depth ELEVLS	GonzalesCountyWATER_LEVEL_WELLS.shp	NONE PROVIDED
Gonzales Co.	Geology		(16 .tif images) gat_6701.tif THROUGH gat_6716.tif
Gonzales Co.	TWDB data	Sample Code Sample Date Long (Dec) Lat (Dec) Aquifer Water Type pH Temp EL_COND TDS_M TDS_C CA MG NA K FE3 HCO3 SO4 CL NO3 SI02 E_N SUM_ANIONS SUM_CATIONS IONIC_STRE SI_ALBITE SI_ANHYDRI SI_BARITE SI_CALCITE SI_CHALCED SI_DOLOMIT SI_FLUORIT SI_GOETHIT SI_GYPSUM SI_HALITE SI_HEMATIT SI_QUARTZ	TWDB_DATA.shp	NONE PROVIDED ***(has a faulty Spatial Definition)
Gonzales Co.	TWDB Well Locations	Sample Code Sampling_D ? Station Code Long (Dec) Lat (Dec) Elevation Aquifer Group Aquifer Code pH TDS EL_Conduc Temperature	Gonzales_TWDB_WellLocations.dbf	NONE PROVIDED (**DBF File ONLY)
Groundwater Chem Data		State Well # Sample ID Sample # Date Aquifer Groups Aquifer_CO Month Day Year Long (Dec) Lat (Dec) Well Depth ELEVLS Temp SI CA MG NA K SR CO3 HCO3 SO4 CL F NO3 PH TDS ALK HARD %NA SAR RSC COND	GonzalesCounty-GWChemData(QNCT_ONLY-2).dbf	XML document (**DBF File ONLY)
Gonzales County	CAD files of County boundary & highways		GonzalesCountyBoundary2.dxf GonzalesCountyHIghway.dxf	XML documents provided
Gonzales County	ArcMap Templates		EPA6_Gonzales.mxd EPA6_Gonzales-2.mxd
UNKNOWN	Contains NO spatial features (GW chem data?)	Sample ID NA CA MG CL HCO3 SO4	STIFF.shp	XML document (*Incomplete)
UNKNOWN	Contains NO spatial features (GW chem data?)	Sample ID Sample_COD Aquifer NA CA MG CL HCO3 SO4	GonzalesCountySTIFF.shp
UNKNOWN	(*Error opening Feature class. # of shapes does not match the # of table records)		GonzalesCountyRADIAL.shp	NONE PROVIDED
UNKNOWN			krige-tds.aux	AUX File ONLY

The GIS data and coverages were used to construct a base GIS of the study area. This GIS includes major and minor aquifer locations (figure 2) regional geologic outcrop patterns and structures (figure 3), and locations of wells with groundwater chemistry and water level data (figure 4). The GIS can be used to analyze spatial relationships in water level and water chemistry data that will address the main research question dealing with the impacts of CAFOs on water table aquifers.

Figure 2. Map of major and minor aquifers in the study area

Databases of historical water level and water chemistry data were constructed using MS Excel and the AquaChem geochemistry database program. Historical water level data exist for 180 wells, including over 1,300 measurements taken between 1901 and 2006. Wells with multiple measurements through time in the Queen City and Sparta formations were identified, and hydrographs of water level trends were generated (figure 5). These initial graphs indicate that most wells do not exhibit serious declining trends, although the data are not complete and a more detailed analysis of the remaining data is needed.

Figure 3. Geology map of study area

Figure 4. Map of study area showing locations of water wells with water chemistry and water level data.

Historical water chemistry data were obtained from 219 wells in the study area, including 470 balanced sampling events with complete analyses for major cations and anions. Most sampling records (255) are from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer; 69 records are from the Queen City aquifer and 43 records are from the Sparta aquifer.

The AquaChem database was used to analyze the distribution of major cations and anions in the study area, focusing on the Queen City and Sparta aquifer systems. Waters in the Queen City tend to be Ca-HCO₃ – Na-HCO₃ waters with some Ca-SO₄ samples (figure 6). Sparta aquifer samples have similar cations distributions with higher concentrations of chloride (figure 6) and typically higher total dissolved solids (TDS). A map showing stiff diagrams for samples in the Queen City and Sparta aquifer systems (figure 7) indicate considerable spatial variability in the major ion chemistry of the samples. Samples tend to have higher TDS in the downdip portions of the aquifers as expected. In the outcrop portions of the aquifers, there is variation in the TDS as well as the ion distributions, suggesting that impacts from surface sources of contamination are possible. Nitrate concentrations in the Queen City and Sparta aquifer systems are variable, with concentrations ranging from non-detect to almost 70 mg/L (figure 8). A plot of nitrate versus depth (figure 9) indicates no clear trends in either the Queen City or the Sparta. Further analysis of the existing data is in progress.

Personnel at the Gonzales County GCD were contacted and agreed to work on collecting samples from wells in the outcrop zone of the Queen City and Sparta aquifer systems. Unfortunately, the PI, Matthew Uliana left the university before this part of the project was complete.

Figure 5. Hydrographs for select wells in the Queen City and Sparta Formations

Figure 6. Piper plot showing comparison of Queen City water samples versus Sparta Sand water samples

Figure 7. Stiff diagrams for samples from the Queen City and Sparta Aquifer Systems

Figure 8. Graph of NO₃ versus Cl for all samples except those from the Carrizo-Wilcox formation

Figure 9. Graph of NO₃ versus depth for all samples except those from the Carrizo-Wilcox formation

Part II Assistance for Groundwater Conservation Districts

Introduction

The objective of this part of the project was to develop educational materials for Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) technical staff related to understanding their aquifers, proper data collection and monitoring techniques, and use of the TWDB Groundwater Availability Models (GAM). Efforts for this part of the project focused on creating a major initiative by the River Systems Institute (RSI) at Texas State University to develop a program of education, training, and technical assistance to the GCDs related to managing their districts, monitoring water levels and water quality data, and understanding the geology and hydrogeology of their regions.

Much of the work performed to this point has involved establishing cooperative agreements with personnel from the USGS, TWDB, and a private PR firm, and developing a team approach to serving the workshops. Formal and informal surveys have been used to gather information about GCD staff needs and workshop logistics. As of the publication of this report, preliminary workshop topic outlines have been developed and the first set of workshops is scheduled for Fall, 2007.

Work Performed and Results

In April of 2006, Dr. Uliana prepared and delivered a presentation related to aquifer testing at the “Groundwater Management in Texas: A Continuing Challenge in a Changing Environment” workshop in San Antonio (Uliana, 2006a). This workshop was primarily intended for board members and staff of GCDs, though it was attended by a broad audience. The purpose of the workshop was to provide attendees with a fundamental understanding of groundwater issues as they relate to the comprehensive management of water resources; information on the current tools and technology available for groundwater management; and general guidelines for development and implementation of groundwater management plans that meet new state requirements. This workshop provided an opportunity to network with GCD staff and get an general idea of their opinions concerning a program of education and assistance. Attendance at the Groundwater Management in Texas workshop exceeded initial expectations; in fact, the TWDB had to scramble at the last minute to find a larger room to accommodate all the attendees. Feedback from workshop participants indicated that it was a success and that those in attendance benefited from the experience. The success of the TWDB workshop supported the contention that there is a need and desire for a program of training workshops for staff and board members of groundwater districts in Texas.

In spring of 2006, RSI staff worked with Dr. Sally Caldwell (Dept. of Sociology, Texas State University) to develop and conduct a formal written survey for GCD board members and staff. This survey involved collection of basic data about the districts (e.g., # of staff, budgets for training, etc.) as well as data on their needs concerning training and technical assistance. This survey was administered over the summer of 2006. In addition to the paper survey, a less formal telephone survey of GCD staff in selected districts was conducted to develop a more detailed picture of their needs and perceptions. The results of the survey were tabulated and presented at a public conference in Austin (Uliana, 2006b). The results of the survey were also presented to the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD) at its annual meeting in 2006.

In 2006, RSI staff met with staff of the US Geological Survey (USGS) and TWDB to discuss collaborations related to training and technical assistance for GCD staff. It was decided to initially focus on more technical workshops. It was agreed that RSI would develop a workshop on the basic hydrogeology of the major aquifers in Texas; USGS would develop a workshop on data collection methods and techniques; and the TWDB would provide a workshop on groundwater modeling. Later, after discussions with the staff of TAGD, it was agreed to develop a fourth workshop, focusing on effectively communicating with the public. A private consulting firm (Laura Raun Public Relations) was engaged to develop the communications workshop. It was also decided to offer workshops to groups of groundwater districts based on the State’s planning designation of groundwater management areas (GMAs).

In late spring, 2007, RSI entered into a cooperative agreement with the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD) to assist the organization in establishing an education and training program for its membership (77 groundwater districts in Texas).

As of July, 2007, detailed outlines for each workshop have been developed and agreed upon, and work is progressing on the development of the workshops. Pilot-tests of the workshops have been scheduled for the Fall, 2007 in three groundwater management areas.

Appendix 1 MOU between RSI and TAGD

Memoranda of Understanding between the River Systems Institute at Texas State University and The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts.

This document is a memorandum of understanding between the River Systems Institute at Texas State University and the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts that will set forth the program responsibility and procedural mechanisms for Groundwater Conservation District educational and training programs.

1. Whereas, the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, herein called the Institute, was created to develop and promote programs and techniques for ensuring sustainable water resources for human needs, ecosystem health and economic development; and
2. Whereas, the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, herein known as the Alliance, was formed to further the purpose of groundwater conservation and protection activities, provide a means of communication and exchange of information between individual districts regarding the day-to-day operation of local groundwater management, and provide member Districts and the public with timely information on activities and issues relevant to groundwater management; and
3. Whereas, the Alliance and the Institute are both interested in providing quality education and training for Groundwater Conservation Districts across the State; and
4. Whereas, the Institute obtained grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Meadows Foundation that provide for the education and training to Groundwater Conservation Districts; and
5. Whereas, the Alliance has the ability to help coordinate education and training conferences for Groundwater Conservation Districts; and
6. Whereas, the Institute conducted a survey of Groundwater Conservation Districts and determined that the primary education and training needs include groundwater science, public relations and legal issues.

   Now, therefore, in consideration of the following promises, covenants, conditions, and the mutual benefits to accrue to the parties of this Agreement, the Parties, desiring to cooperate in function and service agree as follows:

1. The River Systems Institute at Texas State University agrees to:
1. Obtain and execute cooperative agreements, grant awards and contracts.
2. Implement the provisions of each grant or contract in conjunction with the Alliance.
3. Complete administrative procedures for all projects and programs for which grant funds have been awarded in order to obtain timely payments by the grantee.
2. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts agrees to:
1. Serve as a recipient of grants and grant funds to further the purposes of each grant award contract.
2. Provide the Institute with required reports for all joint projects funded to the Institute. Reports will be submitted in accordance with grant requirements.
3. Develop and maintain a current electronic database of Texas Groundwater Conservation District contact information and provide a direct conduit to contact those districts.
4. Provide assistance coordinating and planning educational and training activities for Groundwater Conservation Districts.
5. Provide any other assistance in obtaining and completing grant contracts that relate to groundwater protection, preservation or regulation.
3. Both parties agree to:
1. Coordinate efforts in the development and submission of an annual work program.
2. Negotiate the percentage of the administrative budget of grant funds that will accrue to each party.
3. Negotiate the division of labor and work to be performed under each new grant proposal
4. Communicate and coordinate directly with each other on matters relating to program/project planning and implementation of approved grants.
5. Provide required reports to the grantors as required by each grant.
6. Meet as necessary to review and discuss program development, project progress and grant proposals.
7. Comply with all relevant state and federal statutes and procedures, and grant conditions, including financial audits, data quality assurance and quality control, and progress reports.
4. General conditions:
1. Term of Agreement. The term of this MOU shall be from the effective date until termination of this agreement. Future agreements on specific grants must be approved by the TAGD Executive Committee or TAGD membership prior to implementation.
2. Notice of Termination. Any party may terminate this Agreement upon a 90 day written notice to the other party. Both parties agree to fulfill any grant commitments in place at the time of termination. Only upon written concurrence of the other party can this Agreement be modified.
3. Cooperation of Parties. It is the intention of the parties that the details of providing the services in support of this Agreement shall be worked out, in good faith, by both parties.
4. Nondiscrimination. Activities conducted under this Agreement will be in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions as contained in Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and other nondiscrimination statutes, namely Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1992, which provide that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
5. Notices. Any notices required by this Agreement to be in writing shall be addressed to the respective party as follows: Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Attn: Gregory M. Ellis, 2104 Midway Court, League City, Texas 77573 and to the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, Attn: Andrew Sansom, River Systems Institute, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas78666-4615.
6. Effective Date of Agreement. This Agreement is effective upon execution by both parties. By signing this Agreement, the signatories acknowledge that they are acting under proper authority from their governing bodies.

Appendix 2 Training Workshops

Attached is a brief overview of the four training workshops that will be conducted in GMA #8 and GMA #11 during 2007.

Groundwater Conservation District Training Workshop
Area-Specific Hydrogeology Overview

Introduction

This workshop will provide an overview of fundamental hydrogeology for the aquifers existing in the specific area, i.e. groundwater conservation district or groundwater management area.

Topics covered

1. Brief overview of fundamental hydrogeology, focusing on the various types of aquifers and the geologic settings for those aquifers.
2. Discussion of the specific aquifers within the area boundaries, including the following aspects:
1. Area extent of each aquifer, indicating boundaries, outcropping zones, and confined zones
2. Geologic and hydrogeologic characteristics of each aquifer, including geologic setting, general permeability information, typical well yields, the distribution of those characteristics throughout the aquifer, and a general overview of the productivity of the aquifer (i.e., locations of the more productive zones)
3. Recharge, including recharge areas, modes of recharge, relative rates, and a comparison of recharge rates to current and projected groundwater pumping
4. Naturally-occurring discharge, including springs, wetlands, baseflow to streams, and interformational flow.
5. Water quality within each aquifer, including the general quality of the water, the distribution of fresh vs. brackish vs. saline waters, and the locations of “bad water lines”
3. A discussion of the potential concerns specific to the aquifers within the area boundaries (e.g., reduced spring flows, reduced base flow to streams, significant over-drafting of the aquifer(s), salt water intrusion, etc.)

Skills and Knowledge Gained

In general, participants in the workshop will gain a better understanding of the specific aspects of the aquifers in their districts as discussed above. The objective in presenting this material is to give the participants and understanding of the aquifer-specific concerns that will affect the management of their groundwater resources in the future.

All participants in the workshop will receive a bound copy of “Hydrology Lecture notes v. 2.2” as well as hard copies of all presentation materials. These will also be available on-line in PDF format.

Water conservation District Training Workshop
Water-Level Monitoring Programs

Introduction

This workshop will describe the elements of a comprehensive water-level monitoring program.

Topics Covered

1. Water Levels and Water-Level Monitoring – This module will include explanation of the techniques of water-level measurement using the following methods and procedures: 1) steel tape measurement, 2) electric tape measurement, 3) air line measurement, 4) water-level measurement in flowing wells, 5) determining status of well, such as static, recently pumped or pumping, 6) determining a measuring point, and 7) continuous monitoring techniques. This module will also include data-collection and field recording techniques using handheld computers (PDA’s). All procedures included will be standard techniques of field data collection of the USGS.
2. Pontentiometric Mapping- This module will include the techniques used by the USGS to create a potentiometric map in either an unconfined or confined aquifer. The techniques will be explained to include both digital contouring with software packages and manual contouring using paper and pencil and the caveats associated with both.
3. Aquifer Testing – This module will include the basic methods of collecting aquifer test data and calculating aquifer properties such as transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and storage. These parameters can be used to calculate hypothetical drawdown at a given distance from a pumping well and can also be used to improve ground-water flow model calibration information.
4. Basic Geophysical Log Analysis – This module will include the introductory concepts of borehole geophysical log data and explanation of various uses of these data. Borehole geophysical data can be very helpful in determining aquifer thickness, lithology, water-bearing potential, fracture analysis, head, and flow contributions of specific intervals.

Groundwater conservation District Training Workshop
Groundwater Availability Model (GAM)

Introduction

This workshop will provide an overview on the use of the groundwater availability model(s) that The Texas Water Development Board has developed for a specific area.

Topics Covered

1. Assets and liabilities of groundwater modeling in general
2. Description of the GAM or GAMs for the specific groundwater district or groundwater management area.
3. Model limitations
4. How to use the model
5. Differences of scale (regional model versus local model)

Skills and Knowledge Gained

In general participants will better understand how to use modeling tools to evaluate water-management strategies, assess groundwater availability trends under normal and drought conditions, and determine desired future condition of an aquifer.

Specifically, participants will have the skills to be able to (1) understand how the GAM or GAMs for their district function; (2) understand the limitations of the GAM or GAMs for their district; (3) be able to frame questions that the model can address; (4) understand the assets and liabilities of the GAM or GAMs; and (5) understand how regional models differ from local models.

Workshop participants will receive maps of their area, handouts listing specific publications available and an electronic copy of the presentation for their district.

Groundwater Conservation District Training Workshop
Communicating Effectively with the Public

Introduction

This workshop will provide an overview on developing and implementing a strategic communications plan for groundwater conservation districts.

Topics covered

Workshop topics will include the follow:

1. Strategic Communications Plan: what a strategic communication plan entails, why groundwater conservation districts need one, how to develop a plan, how to execute the plan.
1. Objectives
2. Key messages
3. Timelines
4. Landscape: political, economic, water marketing
2. Communications Tools: how districts can develop communications tools in affordable ways; how to “take the first step”
3. Using Tools: how districts can get their message to the public in affordable ways.
1. Public meetings
2. Presentations to groups
3. Media
4. Online communications

Skills and Knowledge Gained

Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of:

• How a strategic communications plan helps GCDs carry out their roles and responsibilities.
• How to develop communications tools.
• How to use communications tools.

Handouts/takeaways will include:

• Workshop summary
• Checklists
• Exercises – completed by individual participants so that information applies to their own districts

References:

Uliana, M. M., 2006a. How Well Do You Know Your Aquifer? Aquifer Testing and Interpretation: Ground Water Management in Texas: A Continuing Challenge in a Changing Environment workshop, NGWA 2006 Ground Water Summit, San Antonio, Texas; April 27.

Uliana, M. M., 2006b. Results of the River Systems Institute’s Survey of Groundwater Conservation Districts: Charting the Course Conference (hosted by the River Systems Institute); Austin, Texas; November 16.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Ecological Risk Assessment, State, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, water quality model, water supply, agricultural runoff, concentrated animal feediing operations, groundwater availability model, GIS, groundwater monitoring, model-based analysis

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2005

2006 Progress Report