Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1974

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Civil Engineering

Abstract

In 1960, the city of Brookings, South Dakota began operating a solid waste disposal site in an abandoned gravel pit approximately two miles south of the city. Because the surrounding residences obtain their water supply from groundwater found in a shallow aquifer in the area, immediate concern was expressed about the effects of the sanity landfill of groundwater quality. In response to the objections to the refuse disposal site raised by-the people in the area, the city of Brookings initiated a study of groundwater quality at the site in 1960. Later, in 1964, a comprehensive study of the groundwater within the confines of the landfill site was undertaken by the Civil Engineering Department at South Dakota State University. This study consisted of several coordinated research projects designed to determine both the hydrogeological conditions at the landfill site and the effects of refuse disposal on groundwater quality at the site. All of these investigations were confined to the 160-acre refuse disposal site. In 1973, residents of the area requested that the South Dakota Department of Environmental Protection (SDDEP) conduct a study of the effects of the landfill on groundwater quality using private wells in the vicinity. The request accentuated the need for additional information on groundwater quality outside the confines of the landfill site. This investigation was initiated to gather information to complement the groundwater quality study conducted by the SDDEP. Five samples from nine private wells in the vicinity of the landfill were collected at irregular intervals during a period from November 1973 to June 1974. Two of the sampling dates were identical with sampling dates selected by the SDDEP personnel for their separate study. The objectives of this investigation were to determine: 1. If a significant variation in groundwater quality among the wells surrounding the solid waste: disposal site existed, 2. If there was a relationship between the landfill arid the groundwater quality variations if such variation existed, and 3. To compare overall water quality at the sampling points with recommended drinking water quality limits. The results of the analyses of samples collected by SDDEP personnel were utilized in fulfilling these objectives.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Refuse and refuse disposal

Water-supply

Groundwater

Brookings (S.D.) -- Water-supply

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

67

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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