Laserfiche WebLink
<br />li <br />material (Hem, 1989, pgs. B6-89). Of the twelve wells displaying high <br />values, only two (WHAL7-2 and WW19) are indicating an increasing trend <br />(both exist in the permit area). Four wells in premining areas (WHAL6- <br />2, WSC24, WSOV29 and WW4) also display high values. It should be noted <br />that, while the CDOH uses a standard of 0.2 mg/1, the EPA states that <br />this standard is used to protect crops grown in soils with a pH value <br />lower than 6.0. In soils with a higher pH (as are found in the Seneca <br />TI-W region), a more appropriate standard would be 10 mg/1 (EPA, 1976). <br />This year, none of the Setteca II-W wells displayed a value higher than <br />2.71 mg/1. <br />One well, WW14, exhibited boron values, 1030 and 1095 ug/1, which <br />exceeded the CDOH standard of 750 ug/1. According.to.the_CDOH, the 750 <br />ug/1 standard is set for sensitive crops (CDOH, Reg. 41, 1999), and that <br />the limit otherwise is 5000 ug/1. None of these sensitive plant species <br />are grown commercially in this area. <br />At the Seneca II-W shop well, Well 201TC, CDOH drinking water standards <br />were used to determine its suitability. No human health standards were <br />exceeded. The secondary standard for iron (0.3 mg/1) was exceeded with <br />values of 3.44 and 3.93 mg/1. The secondary standard for manganese <br />(0.05 mg/1) was exceeded with values of 0.123, and 0.136 mg/1. However, <br />bottled water is consumed at Seneca II-w. Also, since the aquifer for <br />the shop well (Trout Creek Sandstone) starts at 280 feet below the Wadge <br />Coal and is separated by confining shale layers, water from this well <br />should not be affected by mining and, therefore, reflects the natural <br />characteristics of the aquifer. <br />Ground Water Quality Summary. Increasing TDS trends are beginning to be <br />observed at most wells downgradient of mining. However, two <br />downgradient wells, WOV16 and WOV17, exhibit a stable TDS trend. <br />Agricultural ground water standards were exceeded this year at certain <br />monitoring wells. Tab 7 of the Seneca ZI-W PAP contains a section that <br />discusses the suitability of using water from the various aquifers <br />monitored at the Seneca II-W Mine for irrigation or livestock watering. <br />Il <br />