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Hydrogeological and Geologic Investigations
In cooperation with B.F. Environmental Consultants, Hydro Tech. Ltd, F.X. Browne Inc., Castle Valley Consultants, Propst Associates, McDonalds Corporation, Cracker Barrel Restaurants and others, the Environmental Quality Center has been involved in hydrogeological evaluations throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.
Hydrological Evaluations were conducted for evaluating potential wastewater disposal alternatives, developing loading depths and application rates for spray irrigation systems, wetland mitigation projects and water supply development. The facility has been involved in a number of hydrogeological assessments related to:
Water Supply Development
Groundwater Under the Influence
Wastewater Disposal Evaluations
Soil Investigations
Spray Irrigation Systems
Monitoring Well Installation
Sink Hole Analysis
Wetland Mitigations Studies
Water Supply Development- Typically these projects include assisting in conducting sanitary surveys, fracture tracing, calculating wellhead protection zones, overseeing water well construction and hydrological testing. The facility will also coordinate "new source" sampling and conducts Microscopic Particulate Analysis or Groundwater Under the Influence Investigations. Projects are typically conducted in conjunction with B.F. Environmental Consultants. Our most successful project was the siting of a two 300 gpm production wells using fracture tracing and aerial photo analysis combined with a hydrogeological investigation in an area with median well yields of less than 30 gpm.
Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring- The Center is a partner working on an EPA EMPACT grant for real time water quality monitoring in the watershed of the Susquehanna River. The Center is providing technical assistance in siting, testing, data retrieval, and water quality testing. One focus of the project is to see how water quality changes documented by the sonde can be related to other water quality data, such as: fecal coliform, phosphate, and total suspended solids. As part of this project, we are using the YSI 6600 Sonde and YSI 6200 Data Acquisition System. The project partners include: PA GIS Consortium, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, Wilkes University Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (Water Quality and GIS Centers), and Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI):EPA EMPACT.
Groundwater Under the Influence- These are typically part of installing or
developing a new water supply system or evaluating an existing spring or well source.
The process includes a preliminary hydrogeological assessment of the site and the
collection of a composite sample of the untreated water. The composite sample is
then processed and the number of surface water indicator is enumerated.
Wastewater Disposal Evaluations- These projects typically include a combination
of soils and hydrological assessments to determine the most appropriate land-based
wastewater disposal system for domestic wastewater or commercial waste. The projects
include the evaluation of available soils and geologic data, on-site testing, evaluation
of wastewater characteristics, and review of local municipal and state regulations.
Soil Investigations-In the process of conducting a wastewater evaluation. A soil investigation is conducted. This investigation includes a review of available soils surveys, on-site soil profile evaluations, permeability testing, and infiltration capacity testing. The primary goal of this process is to determine the characteristics of the soil and possible limitations to on-lot wastewater disposal.
Spray Irrigation Systems-For the evaluation of slow rate spray irrigation systems, a soil investigation and preliminary hydrological assessment is conducted. During these evaluations, the on-site soils testing is used combined with available meteorological data to develop a site specific water budget. The water budget is used to calculate the allowable treated wastewater loading rates (in/acre/month). The hydrological evaluation is conducted to estimate nitrogen uptake by the vegetation and determine potential impacts on groundwater and/or surface water quality
Monitoring Well Installation
Small Sinkholes in Slate Belt Region (PA)
Wetland Mitigations- The facility has been involved in a number of projects
related to either wetland mitigation or the use of wetlands as a natural treatment system.
For wetland mitigation projects, the facility has assisted in the evaluation of the
soil and hydrological conditions, developing site specific water budgets, and determining
the depth and nature of the water table. For wetland treatment systems, the facility
has been involved in the monitoring and design of natural wetland treatment systems for
milkhouse waste, mine drainage, acid mine drainage, wastewater treatment,
and
rural and urban stormwater runoff.
Infiltration Testing and Assistance with BMP Selection- Conducting Soil Test Pit Evaluations, Mapping Soils and Geological Deposits, Conducting Infiltration and Permeability Testing. Training workshops related to BMP testing and evaluation.
For More information about the Environmental Quality Center, please contact:
Attn: Mr.
Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG)
Laboratory Director
Wilkes University
Environmental Engineering and
Earth Sciences
PO Box 111
84 West South Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
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