WSP01644

• File Number: 8170
• Description: Arkansas Basin Water Quality Issues
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 3/14/1997
• Author: Bradford Austin
• Title: Report to the Commissioner of Agriculture - Ground Water Monitoring Activities - Arkansas River Valley Alluvial Aquifer 1994-1995
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

"

AGRICUL TURAL
CHEMICALS
AND
iii'~tg~~9~~TER

Arkansas River Valley Monitoring
Fact Sheet #12
April 1997

RE~~~~IVED
JUt 09 1997
:.lULU 8- co
ColJa'lni 0aler
Conse/Vation Board
WATER AESOURCES
STATE ENG1NEER
COlO.

Ground Water Monitoring
in the Arkansas Valley

The Water Quality Control Division of the
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE) has responsibility under
the Agricultural Chemicals and Ground Water
Protection Program (SB 90-126) to conduct
monitoring for the.JJresence of commercial
fertilizers and pesticides in ground water. The
Agricultural Chemicals Program has been
established to provide current, scientifically valid,
ground water quality data to the Commissioner of
Agriculture. Prior to passage of SB 90-126, a lack
of data had prevented an accurate assessment of
impacts to groundwater quality from agricultural
operations, This program will assist the
Commissioner of Agriculture in determining to
what extent agricultural operations are impacting
ground water quality. The program also assists the
Commissioner in identifyinll: those aquifers that are
vulnerable to contamination. The philosophy
adopted is to protect ground water and the
environment from impairment or degradation due
to the improper use of agricultural chemicals, while
allowing for their proper and correct use.

The ground water quality sampling program is
intended to fulfill the following objectives:

+ Determine if agricultural chemicals are
present in the ground water.

+ Provide data to assist the Commissioner of
Agriculture in the identification of
potential agricultural management areas,

The factors considered in selecting an area for
monitoring are:

+ Agricultural chemicals are used in the area.

+ The ground water in the area is shallow in
depth or vulnerable to contamination,

+ The majority of the agricultural production
in the area is irrigated.

+ The soil types are prone to leaching.

. The alluvial and lor shallow bedrock
aquifers are utilized for domestic water
supplies.