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k"i v0 \) tities of water may be obtained from the sandstones and fractured or channeled limestones, The dominant formations in the area where little water can he obtained from wells generally consist of limestones and shales, Because of local varia- tions in the geology of a region, yield to individual wells may vary greatly, .., D~rth to WateL Except for a few small areas in southwestern Kansas, the depth to water in the aquifers having sufficient quantity and suitable quality generally is less than 200 feet. Conse- quently, pumping lift is not expected to have much influence, Of course, the depth to water fluctuates with changes in the weather, but as heavy ground, water pumpage continues a general lowering of the water level can be expected, .., Saturated 'fhjc~lIess_ The capability of a water- bearing formation to supply water to wells is re- lated to the thickness of the saturated material making up the aquifer and to its physical charac- teristics, The thickness of the saturated material in the unconsolidated deposits is the principal source of ground water in most of the state, In some areas the consolidated formations, primarily sandstones, yield large amounts of water, but there is little information on the thickness of these de- posits, In many of the eastern counties the only significant unconsolidated deposits are those found along the valleys of the major streams, In some cases these deposits arc of such a character and are so thin that little water can be obtained fmm them, WATER QUALlTY- ITS ACCEPTABILITY A rough appraisal of the natural quality of any single water source can be had from measuring a sample for concentrations of total dissolved solids, chloride and sulfate, There are other important chemical constituents as well as other chemical, physical, and biological properties of water that also need to be determined for some specialized uses, However, the three used in this report are usually good indicators of the water's usefulness, Natural quality of surface water varies consid- erably with time and streamflow at any stream loca- tion: whereas, ground-water quality changes only gradually or not at all, Ground-water data were obtained from the cooperative investigations and reports of the state and federal Geological Surveys, .., T oral Dj.I,mlved Solids, Total dissolved solids represent all the mineral matter dissolved in a sam- ple of water. Total dissolved solids for drinking and culinary uses should not exceed 500 mg/! (milligrams per liter is approximately 5 pounds of mineral matter in 1200 gallons of water) if a better supply is available, However, in a few areas in Kansas wncentrations as high or higher than 1000 mg!1 are used for such purposes because a better supply is not available, \Vhen total dissolved solids exceed the 1000 mg/! level the water may become unpalatable, may not quench thirst, and may have a laxative effect on new users: however, excessive total solids in water, in the absence of toxic sub- stances, do not result in permanent physiological effects on the ,"ers, Excessive dissolved solids can GIUSe numerous problems in industry, such as foaming boilers, or interference with the clearness, wlor, or taste of many finished products, Some dissolved solids can be removed by treatment, but many are ditlicult to remove or cannot be removed ewnom'ically, Dissolved solids concentrations are generally higher in ground water than in surface water in the state, However, the dissolved solids arc wmmonly below 250 mgll in ground waters in Kiowa, Pratt, Ford, Gray, Meade, Haskell, and Thomas countics, Dissolved solids are over 1000 mg 1 in larger areas in the central and southeastern part of the state, .., Chloride, Chloride in the form of common table salt is a mineral constituent found in practically all natural waters and is one of the principal mineral- iz.ing suh~tances in Kansas waters. In addition to its natural mineral origin, chloride also results from municipal and industrial sources such as human and animal wastes, oil wells and petroleum re- fineries, or from agricultural sources, The major problem resulting from chloride in public water supplies is the taste which it imparts to drinking watcr. It also exerts a significant effect on the rate of corrosion of stcel and aluminum, At chloridc concentrations below 100 mg/!, the water would be considered as excellent for most uses: few problems would result at concentrations between 100 and 250 mgfl. At concentrations over 250 mgf 1, chluride begins to impart a salty taste to the water and corrosion can become sig- nificant, Chloride cannot be economically removed by current water treatment processes, Chloride is below 100 mg/l in the ground water in most areas of Kansas, It is ahove 250 mg/l in parts of the southeast and central portions of the state, .., Sldfar~, Sulfate occurs naturally in water when gypsum and other sulfate-bearing minerals are dis- solved by the water. Like chloride, sulfate is one of the principal mineralizing substances found in Kansas' waters, Sulfate in solution may also be the end product of pollution from mining opera- tions or industrial wastes, The major detriment of sulfate is related to its bitter taste and its laxative properties when present in high concentrations, LEGEND RlI R Al POPUL A TIO~ PER SQUARE !,lll[ Oo-~ gl~.!iO O~.15 .50' NOTE. By 4el.n,l,on. den.",ole",U"M'.hOOO" RURAL DENSITY, 1968 Water would be of good quality for most pur- poses when sulfate concentrations are below 100 mg! 1 and, except for some industrial uses, few problems are encountered until sulfate reaches the 250 mgl! level. Ahove 250 mg/ I, the water is not recommended for public water supplies unless a better source is not available, Sulfate is less than 100 mg/l in most ground water in the state, The largest areas where sulfate is ahove 250 mg/l are in the Saline-Smoky Hill valley region, the White- water and upper Cottonwood river basins and in parts of north-central and southeast Kansas, A V AILABlLlTY OF GROUND WATER FOR RURAL USERS RURAL PEOPLE- WHERE THEY LIVE Water shortages during the drought years of the 1930's and 1950's brought ahout the creation of rural water districts in the more populated rural communities of eastern Kansas, Water shortages for domestic use were less frequent in western Kansas where the rural density is less, but ground- water resources are generally more abundant. The highest rural density is near the larger cities and probably reflects suburban sprawl. The lowest rural density, generally is in western Kansas and through the Flint Hills, I n Kansas ground water is accessible to more farms, and generally provides a more constant supply than surface water. Therefore, most rural domestic supplies come from wells, The first problem for the farmer wanting to use ground water is finding it: he must then try to determine the reliability of his find-will the aquifer yield year after year enough water of a quality which he can use, Where individuals will develop their own water supply system may be related to the yield of the well and to the level of total dissolved solids, sulfate, and chloride concen- trations found in the water. These variations across the state are illustrated in the map below, Areas in which ground water does not exist, or yield to a well is less than 10 gallons per minute, and areas where water quality may be questionable are shown by hatching (see legend), Water whose quality had total dissolved solids in excess of 100 mg! 1 or where hoth sulfates and chlorides may exceed 250 mg!1 was considered questionable, In those areas on the map left in white an indi- vidual should be able to construct a welI which should produce sufficient water of adequate quality for normal rural domestic use, ~