In cooperation with 

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-2006 

Open-File Report 2007-1098 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
Cover.—Photograph by Elizabeth Nystrom, U.S. Geological Survey. 
In cooperation with 

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 

Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2001 and 2005-2006 

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom 

Open-File Report 2007-1098 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2007 

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, 

its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: 

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov 

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS 

Suggested citation: 

Nystrom, E.A., 2007, Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-06: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1098, 37 p., online only

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. 

ii 
Contents 

Abstract................................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Scope ........................................................................................................................................................2

Hydrogeologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................2

Methods of Investigation ..................................................................................................................................................8

Site Selection ..................................................................................................................................................................8

Sampling Methods..........................................................................................................................................................8

Analytical Methods ........................................................................................................................................................9

Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin ..................................................................................................11

Physical Properties ......................................................................................................................................................11

Major Ions......................................................................................................................................................................11

Nutrients.........................................................................................................................................................................12

Trace Elements and Radionuclides...........................................................................................................................12

Pesticides.......................................................................................................................................................................13

Volatile Organic Compounds and Phenolic Compounds.......................................................................................13

Bacteria ..........................................................................................................................................................................14

Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................14

Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................................................14

References Cited ..............................................................................................................................................................15

 Figures 

Figure 1. Hydrologic and geographic features of the Delaware River Basin in New York...................................4

Figure 2. Land cover and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River Basin in New York. ......................5

Figure 3. Topography and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River Basin in New York......................6

Figure 4. Generalized bedrock geology and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River Basin in New 

York. ......................................................................................................................................................................................7

Tables 

Table 1. Wells from which ground-water samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06................................................................................................................................................................................19

Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06...................................................................................................................................................20

Table 3. Physical properties of ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. ..25

Table 4. Concentrations of major ions in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06................................................................................................................................................................................26

Table 5. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06...................................................................................................................................................28

Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware 

River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. .......................................................................................................................................29

Table 7. Concentrations of pesticides and caffeine detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware 

River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. .......................................................................................................................................34

iii 
Table 8. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in ground-water samples from the 

Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06......................................................................................................................36

Table 9. Concentrations of bacteria in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06................................................................................................................................................................................37

Conversion Factors 

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.) 

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m) 

Area 

acre 0.004047 square kilometer (km2) 

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume 

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal) 

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

Flow rate 

gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.06309 liter per second (L/s) 

Radioactivity 

picocurie per liter (pCi/L) 0.037 becquerel per liter (Bq/L) 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: 

°F=(1.8×°C)+32 

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). 

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). 

Abbreviated water-quality units used in this report: 

micrometers (μm) 

micrograms per liter (μg/L) 

milligrams per liter (mg/L) 

picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) 

microsiemens per centimeter @ 25°C (μS/cm) 

Acronyms used in this report: 

AMCL Alternative maximum contaminant level 

CFU Colony-forming units 

CIAT 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine 

cICP-MS Collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry 

iv 
CEAT 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine 

ESA Ethanesulfonic acid 

GC-MS Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry 

GPS Global positioning system 

HPLC-MS High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry 

ICP-AES Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry 

ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry 

ICP-OES Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry 

LC-MS Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry 

MCL Maximum contaminant level 

MTBE Methyl tert-butyl ether 

NAWQA National Water Quality Assessment program 

NTU Nephelometric turbidity units 

NWQL USGS National Water Quality Laboratory 

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

NYSDOH New York State Department of Health 

OA Oxanilic acid

OGRL USGS Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory 

PVC Polyvinyl chloride 

SDWS Secondary drinking water standards 

SPE Solid-phase extraction 

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

VOC Volatile organic compound 

v 
Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2001 and 2005-06 

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom 

Abstract 

The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 require that States monitor and report 

on the quality of ground water and surface water. To satisfy part of these requirements, the U.S. 

Geological Survey and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have 

developed a program in which ground-water quality is assessed in 2 to 3 of New York State’s 14 

major basins each year. To characterize the quality of ground water in the Delaware River Basin in 

New York, water samples were collected from December 2005 to February 2006 from 10 wells 

finished in bedrock. Data from 9 samples collected from wells finished in sand and gravel in July 

and August 2001 for the National Water Quality Assessment Program also are included. Groundwater samples were collected and processed using standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures. 

Samples were analyzed for more than 230 properties and compounds, including physical 

properties, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radon-222, pesticides and pesticide degradates, 

volatile organic compounds, and bacteria. 

Concentrations of most compounds were less than drinking-water standards established by 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and New York State Department of Health; many of the 

organic analytes were not detected in any sample. Drinking-water standards that were exceeded at 

some sites include those for color, turbidity, pH, aluminum, arsenic, iron, manganese, radon-222, 

and bacteria. pH ranged from 5.6 to 8.3; the pH of nine samples was less than the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency secondary drinking-water standard range of 6.5 to 8.5. Water in 

the basin is generally soft to moderately hard (hardness 120 milligrams per liter as CaCO3 or less). 

The cation with the highest median concentration was calcium; the anion with the highest median 

concentrations was bicarbonate. Nitrate was the predominant nutrient detected but no sample 

exceeded the 10 mg/L U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level. The 

trace elements detected with the highest median concentrations were strontium and iron in 

unfiltered water and strontium and barium in filtered water. Concentrations of trace elements in 

several samples exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency secondary drinking-water 

standards, including aluminum (50-200 micrograms per liter, three wells), arsenic (10 micrograms 

per liter, one well), iron (300 micrograms per liter, three wells), and manganese (50 micrograms 

per liter, four wells). 

The median concentration of radon-222 was 1,580 picoCuries per liter. Radon-222 is not 

currently regulated, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a maximum 

contaminant level of 300 picoCuries per liter along with an alternative maximum contaminant level 
of 4,000 picoCuries per liter, to be in effect in states that have programs to address radon in indoor 

air. Concentrations of radon-222 exceeded the proposed maximum contaminant level in all 19 of 

the samples and exceeded the proposed alternative maximum contaminant level in 1 sample. 

Eleven pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in samples from ten wells; all were 

herbicides or herbicide degradates. Three volatile organic compounds were detected, including 

disinfection byproducts such as trichloromethane and gasoline components or additives such as 

methyl tert-butyl ether. No pesticides, pesticide degradates, or volatile organic compounds were 

detected above established limits. Coliform bacteria were detected in samples from five wells, four 

of which were finished in sand and gravel; Escherichia coli was not detected in any sample. 

Introduction 

The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 require that States monitor and report 

biennially on the chemical quality of surface water and ground water within their boundaries (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 1997, Section 305(b)). In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS), in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

(NYSDEC), developed a program to evaluate ground-water quality throughout the major river 

basins in New York State on a rotating basis. This program parallels the NYSDEC Rotating 

Intensive Basin Study program, which evaluates surface-water quality in 2 or 3 of the 14 river 

basins in the state per year. Ground-water quality was studied in the Mohawk River Basin in 2002 

(Butch and others, 2003), in the Chemung River Basin in 2003 (Hetcher-Aguila, 2005), and in the 

Lake Champlain and upper Susquehanna River Basins in 2004 (Nystrom, 2006; Hetcher-Aguila 

and Eckhardt, 2006). In 2005-2006, ground-water quality in the St. Lawrence, Delaware, and 

Genesee River Basins was studied. 

Purpose and Scope 

This report presents the findings for the 2001 and 2005-2006 ground-water quality studies 

in the Delaware River Basin. To characterize ground-water quality in the Delaware River Basin, 

10 water samples were collected from December 2005 to February 2006 from wells finished in 

bedrock; 9 samples were collected in July and August 2001 from wells finished in sand and gravel 

as part of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. This report (1) describes 

the methods of site selection, sample collection, and chemical analysis used to sample ground water 

in the Delaware River Basin in 2005-2006 and 2001, and (2) discusses the results by category--

physical properties, major ions, nutrients, trace elements and radionuclides, pesticides, volatile 

organic compounds (VOCs), and bacteria. Information about the wells sampled and results are 

presented in tables 1 through 9 at the end of the report. 

Hydrogeologic Setting 

The Delaware River Basin covers approximately 12,700 mi2 in New York, Pennsylvania, 

New Jersey, and Delaware. The headwaters of the Delaware River are in the Catskill Mountains of 

New York; the river then flows generally south to the Delaware Bay. Geology, topography, 

population, and land use vary widely in the basin, from the commonly densely populated urban and 

industrial areas in the gently rolling coastal plain and piedmont province, to the more rural and 

agricultural ridges and valleys around the Delaware Water Gap and the Catskill Mountains. The 

Philadelphia metropolitan area is the largest population center in the basin. More information 

2 
3 

about the basin and its water quality is presented in Fischer and others (2004) and New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation (1996). 

Only the part of the basin in New York, approximately 19 percent (2,360 mi2) of the entire 

basin, is addressed in this study (fig. 1). The Delaware Basin in New York (herein referred to as 

the basin) is located along the east-central portion of the southern border of New York and covers 

most of Delaware and Sullivan Counties, parts of Broome, Orange, and Ulster Counties, and small 

portions of Chenango, Greene, and Schoharie Counties. The basin is mostly rural in nature, with 

larger population centers in the southern part of the basin at Port Jervis, Liberty, and Monticello. 

Most of the basin (approximately 86 percent) is forested (fig. 2). Agriculture, including dairy and 

poultry farming, covers approximately 9 percent of the basin; about 2 percent of the land is 

developed (land cover calculated from the National Land Cover Dataset, Vogelmann and others, 

2001). Approximately 40 percent of the 1,100-mi2 Catskill State Park is within the basin. 

The West Branch Delaware River forms the boundary between New York and Pennsylvania 

for 9 mi before joining with the East Branch to form the main stem of the Delaware River, which 

forms the boundary for another 76 mi (New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation, 1996). Within the basin, the West Branch Delaware, East Branch Delaware, 

Mongaup, and Neversink Rivers are the major tributaries to the Delaware River. Drinking water 

for New York City is diverted out of the basin at three reservoirs: Cannonsville (on the West 

Branch Delaware River), Pepacton (on the East Branch Delaware River), and Neversink (on the 

Neversink River). Topography in the southern part of the basin is more rolling than in the northern 

part of the basin, where rivers have carved deeply incised valleys (fig. 3). Altitudes in the basin 

range from approximately 420 ft at Port Jervis to more than 4,000 ft in the Catskills. 

Bedrock geology in the Delaware River Basin in New York is sedimentary in origin (fig. 4). 

Most of the basin is underlain by Middle to Upper Devonian sandstones and shales (Isachsen and 

others, 2000). Wells in sandstone and shale generally produce small to moderate yields of 10 to 

100 gal/min (Barksdale, 1970). A thin band of Silurian to Lower Devonian rocks parallels the 

southeastern edge of the basin. This region, which is less than 10 mi wide, includes carbonate 

rocks, shales, and conglomerates (Parker and others, 1964). 

During the Pleistocene, the entire Delaware River Basin in New York was glaciated. 

Unsorted till of low permeability was deposited over most of the basin; wells finished in the till 

generally have low yields. Glaciofluvial deposits were deposited in the large valleys, including 

outwash and ice-contact deposits (Parker and others, 1964). The outwash and ice-contact sand and 

gravel are typically well sorted and form important aquifers in the basin that may produce yields of 

1,000 gal/min or more (Barksdale, 1970). 
Figure 1. Hydrologic and geographic features of the Delaware River Basin in New York. 

4 
Figure 2. Land cover and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River Basin in New York. 

5 
Figure 3. Topography and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River Basin in New York. 

6 
Figure 4. Generalized bedrock geology and locations of wells sampled in the Delaware River 

Basin in New York. 

7 
Methods of Investigation 

The methods used in this study, including (1) well-selection criteria, (2) sampling 

procedures, and (3) analytical methods, were designed to maximize data precision, accuracy, and 

comparability. Wells were selected on the basis of location, with emphasis on areas of greatest 

ground water use, and availability of hydrogeologic information about the well. Ground-water 

sample collection and processing were conducted in accordance with standard USGS procedures 

(U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated). Samples were analyzed at four laboratories using 

documented methods. Wherever possible for samples collected in 2005-2006, unfiltered samples 

were analyzed for all appropriate compounds to best represent ground water used by consumers. 

Some differences in sample analytes and analysis methods occurred between the samples collected 

in 2001 and 2005-2006; these differences are noted in the following sections. 

Site Selection 

The 10 bedrock wells sampled in 2005-2006 were selected on the basis of information from 

the NYSDEC Water Well program, which began in 2000 and requires that licensed well drillers file 

a report with NYSDEC containing basic information about each well drilled—such as well depth, 

casing diameter, and a hydrogeologic log. Potential sampling locations were identified by 

inspection of well-completion data; well owners were sent a letter that included a request for 

permission to sample the well and questionnaire about the well. Well owners who gave permission 

were contacted later by phone to clarify well information and arrange a sampling time. The 10 

bedrock wells that were selected include 9 wells that supply water for household use and 1 well 

that supplies water for a stockyard. The nine sand and gravel wells sampled in 2001 were 

randomly selected in glaciofluvial sediments based on a technique described by Scott (1990); eight 

of the nine wells are used for domestic supply, the remaining well was an observation well. 

The characteristics of the sampled wells are listed in table 1. The bedrock wells range from 

53 to 380 ft deep; most are finished in shale and sandstone. The wells finished in sand and gravel 

range from 22 to 128 ft deep. Land cover within a 0.5 mi radius of all the wells is predominantly 

forested, however, other land uses are also significant, especially in the area immediately 

surrounding the well. Immediate land use around the wells varies from agricultural (for example 

well O2270) to residential (SV1264) to forested (SV1689) (fig. 2). The design of the well network 

did not target specific municipalities, industries, or agricultural practices. 

Sampling Methods 

Eighteen water samples were collected using the pump permanently installed in the well; 

one well was sampled with a portable pump. Water was collected from a tap as close to the well as 

feasible, before the pressure tank, where possible, and before any water-treatment system. Samples 

were collected using one or more 10-ft lengths of Teflon tubing attached to a spigot. After 

connecting the tubing, the well was purged by running to waste for 20 minutes or until at least one 

well-casing volume of water had passed the sampling point and readings of field parameters had 

stabilized. Wells were purged at pumping rates on the order of 5-10 gal/min; recent water use by 

the well owner allowed purging of less than three well-casing volumes. Purging of one observation 

well was done using a portable, stainless steel submersible pump with Teflon line. Three casing 

volumes were purged and field parameters monitored for stability prior to sample collection. 

During well purging, notes about the well and surrounding land and land use were taken; a global 

positioning system (GPS) measurement of latitude and longitude also was made. After purging the 

8 
well, water was directed at approximately 1 to 2 gal/min into a flow-through chamber that 

contained a multi-parameter meter with temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolvedoxygen probes. Field values were then recorded at regular intervals; sampling began when the 

values of water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen concentration had 

stabilized (U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated). 

For sample collection, the flow rate was adjusted to about 1 gal/min; at domestic wells, 

another spigot was left open during sampling to keep the submersible pump running. The Teflon 

sampling tube was then disconnected from the multi-parameter meter and connected to a sampling 

chamber constructed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frame and a clear plastic bag. The sampling 

chamber was placed on a plastic-box table with a built-in drain. The Teflon tubing and spigotattachment equipment were cleaned in the laboratory before each day of sampling with a dilute 

Liquinox solution, followed by tapwater and deionized-water; in 2001, the equipment was then 

methanol rinsed (in 2005-2006, only the equipment for pesticide filtering was methanol rinsed). A 

fresh sampling-chamber bag was used at each site. Samples were collected and preserved in the 

sampling chamber according to standard USGS sampling methods (U.S. Geological Survey, 

variously dated). Sample bottles for nutrient, major-ion, and some trace-element analyses were 

filled with water filtered through disposable 0.45-μm-pore-size polyether sulfone capsule filters 

that were pre-conditioned in the laboratory with deionized water the day of sample collection. 

Sample bottles for pesticide analysis were filled with water filtered through baked 0.7-μm-pore-size 

glass fiber filters. Acid preservation was required for trace-element, VOC, and major-ion analyses. 

Acid preservation was done only after collection of other samples to avoid the possibility of cross 

contamination by the acid preservative; for example, samples preserved with nitric acid were 

acidified after the collection of samples for nutrient analysis. Samples for radon analysis were 

collected through a septum chamber with a glass syringe and injected below scintillation oil 

contained in a scintillation vial. Water samples analyzed by non-USGS laboratories were collected 

in bottles provided by the analyzing laboratory. 

All samples, except those for radiological analysis, were chilled to 4° C or less after 

collection. In 2005-2006, samples for bacterial analysis were hand delivered to a New York State 

Department of Health (NYSDOH) certified laboratory in Bloomingburg, N.Y. (fig. 1), within 6 

hours of collection. In 2001, bacterial analyses were done on-site by USGS personnel. The 

remainder of the samples were shipped overnight to the designated laboratories. 

Analytical Methods 

Samples were analyzed for 230 physical properties and constituents, including inorganic 

constituents, nutrients, trace elements, radionuclides, pesticides and their degradates, VOCs, and 

bacteria. Physical properties, such as water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved 

oxygen, were measured at the sampling site. Analyses for inorganic constituents, nutrients, trace 

elements, radon-222, pesticides and pesticide degradates, and VOCs were conducted at the USGS 

National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, Colo.; additional pesticide and pesticide 

degradate analyses were done at the USGS Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in 

Lawrence, Kans. Other analyses were done at NYSDOH-certified laboratories; including total 

organic carbon and phenolic compound analyses at Friend Laboratory in Waverly, N.Y., and 

bacterial analyses at OCL Analytical Services in Lisbon, N.Y. 

The 2005-2006 samples were often analyzed with the same methods as were used for 

analyses of the 2001 samples. Some compounds, however, were analyzed with different methods 

in 2005-2006 than in 2001, as noted in the following section. In addition, concentrations of some 

9 
compounds were determined for samples collected in 2005-2006 but not for samples collected in 

2001 and vice versa; this is noted in the tables of results. 

Anion concentrations were determined by ion-exchange chromatography, and cation 

analyses were done by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), as 

described in Fishman (1993). Nutrients were analyzed by colorimetry, as described by Fishman 

(1993) and by Kjeldahl digestion with photometric finish, as described by Patton and Truitt (2000). 

Concentrations of most trace elements were determined in unfiltered water in 2005-2006; 

all trace elements were determined from filtered water in 2001. Mercury analysis was done by cold 

vapor–atomic fluorescence spectrometry according to methods described by Garbarino and Damrau 

(2001). Arsenic and chromium in unfiltered water were analyzed by collision/reaction cell 

inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (cICP-MS) as described by Garbarino and others 

(2006). Remaining trace elements in unfiltered water were analyzed by ICP-AES as described in 

Struzeski and others (1996), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) 

and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), as described by Garbarino and 

Struzeski (1998). In-bottle digestions for trace-element analyses were done as described by 

Hoffman and others (1996). Concentrations trace elements in filtered water samples from 2001 

were determined by ICP-MS as described by Garbarino (1999) and Faires (1992); filtered samples 

from 2005-2006 were analyzed by ICP-AES as described by Fishman (1993). Radon-222 was 

measured by liquid-scintillation counting (ASTM International, 2006). 

Samples for pesticide analyses were processed as described by Wilde and others (2004). 

Pesticides and pesticide-degradates were analyzed at the NWQL by solid-phase extraction (SPE) 

and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) as described by Zaugg and others (1995), Sandstrom and others 

(2001), and Furlong and others (2001). Acetamide parent compounds and degradation-product 

analyses were analyzed at the USGS OGRL in 2001 by HPLC-MS as described by Zimmerman 

and others (2000) and Lee and others (2001) and in 2005-2006 by SPE and liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LC-MS) as described by Lee and Strahan (2003). VOCs were analyzed by gas 

chromatography-mass spectrometry by methods described by Connor and others (1998). 

Bacteriological analyses in 2005 and 2006 were completed at OCL Analytical Services, a 

NYSDOH-certified laboratory in Bloomingburg, N.Y. The samples were collected and processed 

in accordance with NYSDEC and NYSDOH protocols, except that the tap from which the water 

sample was collected was not flame sterilized. Samples were tested for total coliform, fecal 

coliform, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) by Standard Methods 9222 B and D (American Public 

Health Association, 1998). A heterotrophic plate count test (SM 9215 B) also was conducted. 

Bacteriological analyses in 2001 were conducted by USGS personnel; samples were analyzed for 

total coliform and E. coli with the two step m-ENDO and NA-MUG method as described in Britton 

and Greeson (1989). 

Total organic carbon and total phenols in 2005 and 2006 were analyzed by a NYSDOHcertified laboratory. Total organic carbon analyses were done by U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (USEPA) method 9060 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004), and total phenols 

analyses were done by USEPA method 420.2 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1983). 

One field blank sample and one sequential replicate sample were collected in 2005-2006 for 

quality assurance in addition to the 10 ground-water samples. Nitrogen-purged VOC/pesticidegrade universal blank water and inorganic-grade blank water supplied by the USGS NWQL were 

used for the blank sample; blank water was run through a portion of the Teflon tubing used for 

sampling, and water for filtered-water constituents was pumped through pre-conditioned filters. 

Blank samples were acidified in the same manner as environmental samples. The results for the 

10 
blank sample showed no chemical concentrations above the laboratory reporting levels; the color of 

the blank sample was measured at 5 platinum-cobalt units. The percent-concentration differences 

from the sequential replicate sample were 5 percent or less for the 34 of the 48 constituents 

detected in the replicate sample. The largest percent differences between concentration in the 

ground-water sample and the replicate sample were in compounds at or near the laboratory 

reporting level and in color (2 platinum-cobalt units in the environmental sample and 5 in the 

quality-assurance sample, with a laboratory reporting level of 1 platinum-cobalt units) and boron 

(8.2 μg/L in the environmental sample and 11 μg/L in the quality-assurance sample, with a 

laboratory reporting level of 7.0 μg/L). Small differences in measured concentrations at or near the 

laboratory reporting level can account for large percent differences. 

Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin 

Ground-water samples were analyzed for more than 230 compounds or properties; most 

were not detected in any sample above laboratory reporting levels (table 2). The compounds and 

properties that were detected are reported in tables 3 through 9. Some concentrations of 

constituents are reported as estimated concentrations; these semi-quantitative values are preceded 

by an “E” remark code in the tables. Estimated concentrations are typically reported in cases 

where the detected value is less than established laboratory reporting levels or when recovery of a 

compound has been shown to be highly variable (Childress and others, 1999). Concentrations of 

some constituents exceeded maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or secondary drinking water 

standards (SDWS) set by USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003) or NYSDOH 

(New York State Department of Health, 1998). MCLs are enforceable standards for finished water 

at public-water supplies; they are not enforceable for private homeowner wells but are presented 

here as a standard for evaluation of the water-quality results. 

Physical Properties 

The color of the samples collected in 2005-2006 ranged from <1 to 18 platinum-cobalt 

units, with a median of 2 platinum-cobalt units (table 3). One sample exceeded the USEPA SDWS 

and NYSDOH MCL of 15 platinum-cobalt units. The turbidity of the samples collected in 2001 

ranged from 0.4 to 15 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) with a median turbidity of 2.4 NTU. 

The turbidity of seven samples exceeded the USEPA MCL and NYSDOH MCL monthly average 

MCL of 1 NTU. Dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 0.1 mg/L to 10.2 mg/L with a 

median of 5.65 mg/L. The percent saturation of dissolved oxygen ranged from 1 to 96 percent 

saturation with a median of 55.5 percent. The pH of the samples ranged from 5.6 to 8.3 standard 

units with a median pH of 6.5. Nine samples had a pH less than the USEPA SDWS range of 6.5 to 

8.5 pH units. Specific conductance of the samples ranged from 26 to 349 μS/cm @ 25°C with a 

median of 153 μS/cm. Water temperature ranged from 5.4 to 15.4 degrees Celsius with a median 

of 11 degrees Celsius. 

Major Ions 

Water hardness in the samples collected in 2005-2006 ranged from 12 to 140 mg/L as 

calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with a median of 55 mg/L as CaCO3 (table 4). Sixty percent (6) of the 

samples analyzed for hardness were soft (less than 60 mg/L as CaCO3); 30 percent (3) were 

moderately hard (61 to 120 mg/L as CaCO3), and 10 percent (1) were hard (121 to 180 mg/L as 

CaCO3

) (Hem, 1985). Acid-neutralizing capacity in the samples collected in 2005-2006 ranged 

from 15 to 186 mg/L as CaCO3

 with a median of 66 mg/L as CaCO3. Alkalinity ranged from 14 to 

11 
136 mg/L as CaCO3 with a median of 37 mg/L as CaCO3

. Alkalinity was generally higher in 

samples from bedrock wells (median 65.5 mg/L as CaCO3) than in samples from sand and gravel 

wells (median 22 mg/L as CaCO3). 

The cation with the highest concentrations in the ground-water samples was calcium, which 

ranged from 4.17 mg/L to 35.6 mg/L with a median of 14.4 mg/L. The median concentrations of 

other cations were: sodium, 7.14 mg/L; magnesium, 2.7 mg/L; and potassium, 0.82 mg/L. The 

anion with the highest concentrations in the ground-water samples was bicarbonate, which ranged 

from 17 mg/L to 166 mg/L with a median of 45 mg/L; bicarbonate concentrations were calculated 

from the alkalinity results. The median concentrations of other anions were: chloride, 9.04 mg/L; 

sulfate, 8.6 mg/L; and fluoride, 0.1 mg/L. No concentrations of chloride, fluoride, or sulfate 

exceeded USEPA MCLs or SDWS or NYSDOH MCLs (listed as follows) 

 

Regulatory limits for ions in drinking water, 

mg/L 

USEPA NYSDOH 

 MCL SDWS MCL 

Chloride 250 250 

Fluoride 4 2 2.2 

Sulfate 500 250 250 

Concentrations of silica in the samples ranged from 4.2 to 11.5 mg/L with a median of 7.96 

mg/L. Residue on evaporation at 180°C ranged from 33 to 205 mg/L with a median of 103 mg/L. 

Nutrients 

Ammonia plus organic nitrogen was detected in six samples, with a maximum 

concentration of 0.18 mg/L (table 5). Ammonia was detected in 2 samples with a maximum 

concentration of 0.06 mg/L. Nitrate was the predominant nutrient; nitrate plus nitrite was detected 

in 15 samples and had a median concentration of 0.45 mg/L; nitrite was not detected. No sample 

exceeded the USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs of 10 mg/L: the maximum concentration of nitrate plus 

nitrite was 6.29 mg/L. Orthophosphate was detected in 10 samples at concentrations of 0.01 to 

0.05 mg/L as phosphorus; the median detected concentration was 0.02 mg/L as phosphorus. 

Phosphorus was detected in eight of the nine samples collected in 2001; detected concentrations 

ranged from 0.004 to 0.054 mg/L. Concentrations of organic carbon in filtered samples from 2001 

ranged from 0.2 mg/L to 1.2 mg/L. Organic carbon in unfiltered water was detected at 

concentrations greater than the laboratory reporting level in only two samples collected in 2005-

2006 at concentrations of 1.0 and 1.3 mg/L. 

Trace Elements and Radionuclides 

Trace-element concentrations (table 6) in samples collected from bedrock wells during 

2005-2006 were determined in unfiltered water. The trace elements with the highest median 

concentrations in unfiltered samples were strontium (217 μg/L) and iron (211.5 μg/L). Traceelement concentrations were determined in filtered samples collected from sand and gravel wells 

during 2001. The trace elements with the highest median concentrations in filtered samples were 

strontium (45.1 μg/L) and barium (33 μg/L). 

Concentrations of some trace elements exceeded USEPA MCLs or SDWS and/or 

NYSDOH MCLs, including aluminum, arsenic, iron, and manganese. The USEPA SDWS for 

12 
aluminum is 50 to 200 μg/L; three samples exceeded the low end of this range but only one sample 

(1,100 μg/L) also exceeded the high end of this range; all three of these samples were unfiltered. 

One unfiltered sample had an arsenic concentration, 21 μg/L, which exceeded the USEPA MCL of 

10 μg/L. Three samples had iron concentrations greater than established limits; two of the samples 

were unfiltered and one was filtered. The NYSDOH MCL and USEPA SDWS for iron are 300 

μg/L. The concentration of iron in one unfiltered sample was 2,150 μg/L. The concentration of 

manganese in three unfiltered samples exceeded the USEPA SDWS of 50 μg/L; two filtered 

samples also had manganese concentrations greater than 50 μg/L. No sample exceeded the 

NYSDOH MCL for manganese of 300 μg/L. 

Radon-222 concentrations in the ground-water samples ranged from 580 pCi/L to 6,350 

pCi/L with a median concentration of 1,580 pCi/L. Radon in drinking water is not currently 

regulated; however, the USEPA has proposed a two-part standard for radon in drinking water: (1) a 

300 pCi/L MCL for areas that do not implement an indoor air radon mitigation program, and (2) an 

alternative MCL (AMCL) of 4,000 pCi/L for areas that do (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

1999). Concentrations of radon in all 19 of the samples exceeded the proposed MCL; the 

concentration of radon in one sample exceeded the proposed AMCL. Uranium concentrations 

ranged from 0.008 μg/L to 5.12 μg/L with a median of 0.528 in unfiltered water, and from less than 

0.02 μg/L to 0.24 μg/L in filtered water. No sample exceeded the 30 μg/L USEPA MCL for 

uranium. 

Pesticides 

Eleven pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in the samples; all were herbicides 

and herbicide degradates; most were degradates of the triazine and amide broadleaf herbicides 

atrazine, alachlor, and metolachlor (table 7). Pesticides were detected in samples from ten wells—

six sand and gravel and four bedrock. Samples from 7 of the 10 wells had more than one pesticide 

detected; the three samples that had only one pesticide detection were from wells finished in 

bedrock. The most commonly detected pesticide was atrazine (five wells). The atrazine degradate 

2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine (CIAT) was detected in six wells, and the 

metolachlor degradate metolachlor ethanesulfonic acid (metolachlor ESA) was detected in five 

wells. All of the pesticide detections were detected at concentrations of 0.1 μg/L or less, except 

metolachlor ESA, detected in five samples at concentrations from 0.17 μg/L to 1.27 μg/L. No 

concentrations of pesticides exceeded established drinking water standards; pesticide degradates 

are not yet regulated. Caffeine, which was included in the pesticide analysis, was detected in 

samples from three wells with a maximum estimated concentration of 0.017 μg/L. 

Volatile Organic Compounds and Phenolic Compounds 

Three VOCs were detected in samples from three sand and gravel wells (table 8). 

Dichlorodifluoromethane was detected in one well at an estimated concentration of 0.56 μg/L. 

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was detected in one well at an estimated concentration of 0.1 μg/L. 

MTBE is a fuel oxygenate; the NYSDOH MCL for MTBE is 10 μg/L. Trichloromethane 

(chloroform) was detected in samples from one well at an estimated concentration of 0.03 μg/L. 

Trichloromethane is a trihalomethane, a group of compounds that are byproducts of chlorination; 

trihalomethanes include bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, tribromomethane 

(bromoform), and trichloromethane (chloroform). The USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for total 

trihalomethanes is 80 μg/L. Samples from 2005-2006 were analyzed for total phenolic compounds, 

but none were detected. 

13 
Bacteria 

Coliform bacteria were detected in samples from five wells (table 9), four of which were 

sand and gravel wells. Samples from bedrock wells were analyzed for fecal coliform; none was 

detected. Samples from sand and gravel wells that tested positive for total coliform were also 

tested for Escherichia coli (E. coli); no sample tested positive for E. coli. Any detection in treated 

water of coliform bacteria is considered to be above the MCL. The owners of the wells were 

notified of the results upon receipt from the laboratory. Heterotrophic plate counts for samples 

collected from bedrock wells ranged from less than 1 colony-forming units (CFU) per mL of 

sample to more than 86 CFU per mL; the median was 6.5 CFU per mL. The USEPA MCL for the 

heterotrophic plate count is 500 CFU per mL. 

Summary 

To characterize the ground-water quality in the Delaware Basin in New York State, 19 

ground-water samples were collected in July and August 2001 and from December 2005 to 

February 2006. Ten bedrock wells and nine sand and gravel wells were sampled for physical 

properties, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radon-222, pesticides, VOCs, and bacteria. The 

bedrock wells were finished in shale and sandstone; the sand and gravel wells were finished in 

glaciofluvial deposits. Samples were collected using standard USGS protocols and analyzed in the 

field and at USGS and private NYSDOH-certified laboratories for more than 230 properties and 

compounds. 

Sample color ranged from less than 1 to 18 platinum-cobalt units, and the color of one 

sample exceeded the USEPA SDWS or NYSDOH MCL of 15 units; sample turbidity ranged from 

0.4 to 15 NTU and exceeded the USEPA MCL of 5 NTU in two samples. Sample pH ranged from 

5.6 to 8.3, the pH of nine samples was less than the USEPA SDWS range of 6.5 to 8.5. Ground 

water in the basin is mostly soft or moderately hard (120 mg/L as CaCO3 or less). The cation with 

the highest median concentration was calcium, and the anion with the highest median concentration 

was bicarbonate. The predominant nutrient was nitrate, but no concentrations of nitrate exceeded 

USEPA or NYSDOH standards. The trace elements with the highest median concentrations were 

strontium, iron, and barium. The concentration of arsenic in one sample exceeded the USEPA 

MCL of 10 μg/L. Concentrations of aluminum, iron, and manganese exceeded USEPA SDWS 

and/or NYSDOH MCLs, most commonly iron and manganese in unfiltered water. Concentrations 

of radon-222 exceeded the USEPA proposed MCL of 300 pCi/L in all samples analyzed and 

exceeded the proposed AMCL of 4,000 pCi/L in one sample. Eleven pesticides or pesticide 

degradates were detected in ten samples, most were degradates of triazine and amide broadleaf 

herbicides detected at concentrations of 0.1 μg/L or less; no concentrations of pesticides or 

pesticide degradates exceeded established drinking water standards. Caffeine was detected in three 

samples at estimated concentrations of 0.017 μg/L or less. Three VOCs were detected in three 

samples, including gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether, trichloromethane, and 

dichlorofluoromethane; the maximum VOC concentration was 0.56 μg/L. Coliform bacteria, 

including total coliform, fecal coliform and E. coli were detected in five samples, mostly from sand 

and gravel wells. 

Acknowledgments 

The completion of this project was made possible by the assistance of several individuals 

whom the author would like to acknowledge, especially the well owners who provided access to 

the wells sampled. Data for sand and gravel wells was collected by the Delaware River Basin 

14 
NAWQA study unit personnel. In addition, Daniel Kendall of the NYSDEC provided 

hydrogeologic information from the Water Well Completion Database for many of the sampled 

wells. 

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18 
Table 1. Wells from which ground-water samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[Land-cover categories: D, developed; A, agricultural; F, forested; W, wetlands and open water; NA, not applicable] 

Land cover2, percentage 

by category3

Well 

number1

Date 

sampled 

Well depth, 

feet below 

land 

surface 

Casing 

depth, 

feet Bedrock type D A F W 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 07/26/2001 22 21 NA 14 30 50 7 

D502 07/24/2001 25.5 20.3 NA 0 27 71 1 

D503 07/30/2001 120 119.4 NA 0 26 69 4 

D504 07/31/2001 45 43.8 NA 0 29 71 0 

D505 08/14/2001 70.4 52.9 NA 15 38 47 0 

D506 08/15/2001 128 116.9 NA 10 46 42 1 

D507 08/01/2001 23 23 NA 3 30 65 2 

O2270 08/09/2001 28 28 NA 1 42 56 2 

SV536 07/23/2001 125 120 NA 11 21 66 2 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 02/23/2006 104 60 Shale and sandstone 0 35 64 0 

D1085 12/13/2005 320 20 Shale and sandstone 2 12 85 0 

D1567 12/14/2005 53 22 Shale, sandstone, and conglomerate 0 41 59 0 

D1591 01/11/2006 373 208 Shale and sandstone 0 4 96 0 

D1628 12/15/2005 230 24 Shale and sandstone 0 27 72 0 

SV1264 02/14/2006 380 50 Shale 15 1 85 0 

SV1345 02/15/2006 340 61 Shale and sandstone 0 1 95 4 

SV1358 01/19/2006 375 42 Shale, sandstone, and conglomerate 0 36 64 0 

SV1600 12/14/2005 320 40 Sandstone 0 1 99 1 

SV1689 01/19/2006 380 10 Shale and sandstone 0 0 100 0 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

2

 Land cover by category within a 0.5-mile radius of the well, determined from the National Land Cover Data set, Vogelmann and others (2001). 

3

 Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding. 

19 
Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06. 

[ --, not analyzed] 

Laboratory reporting level 

USGS 

parameter 

code Compound 2001 2005-06 

Nutrients in filtered water, milligrams per liter as N 

00613 Nitrite, filtered .006 .008 

Trace elements, micrograms per liter 

01075 Silver, filtered 1.0 -- 

01077 Silver, unfiltered -- .16 

01057 Thallium, filtered .04 -- 

01059 Thallium, unfiltered -- .2 

Pesticides in filtered water, micrograms per liter 

50470 2,4-D methyl ester .009 .016 

39732 2,4-D .02 .04 

38746 2,4-DB .02 .02 

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .002 .006 

62850 2-[(2-Ethyl-6-methylphenyl)amino]-2-oxoethanesulfonic acid -- .02 

63781 2-Chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)acetamide -- .02 

50355 2-Hydroxy-4-isopropylamino-6-ethylamino-s-triazine .008 -- 

49308 3-Hydroxy carbofuran .006 .008 

50295 3-Ketocarbofuran 1.50 -- 

61029 Acetochlor ethanesulfonic acid .05 .02 

61030 Acetochlor oxanilic acid .05 .02 

62847 Acetochlor sulfynilacetic acid -- .02 

49260 Acetochlor .004 .006 

49315 Acifluorfen .007 .028 

62849 Alachlor ethanesulfonic acid secondary amide -- .02 

61031 Alachlor oxanilic acid .05 .02 

62848 Alachlor sulfynilacetic acid -- .02 

46342 Alachlor .002 .005 

49313 Aldicarb sulfone .02 .02 

49314 Aldicarb sulfoxide .008 .022 

49312 Aldicarb .04 .04 

34253 alpha-HCH .005 .005 

82686 Azinphos-methyl .050 .050 

50299 Bendiocarb .03 .02 

82673 Benfluralin .010 .010 

50300 Benomyl .004 .022 

61693 Bensulfuron .02 .02 

38711 Bentazon .01 .01 

04029 Bromacil .03 .02 

49311 Bromoxynil .02 .03 

04028 Butylate .002 .004 

49310 Carbaryl .03 .02 

82680 Carbaryl .041 .041 

49309 Carbofuran .006 .016 

82674 Carbofuran .020 .020 

61188 Chloramben methyl ester .02 .02 

50306 Chlorimuron .010 .032 

20 
Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06.--Continued 

[ --, not analyzed] 

Laboratory reporting level 

USGS 

parameter 

code Compound 2001 2005-06 

Pesticides in filtered water, micrograms per liter--Continued 

04039 Chlorodiamino-s-triazine .01 .04 

49306 Chlorothalonil .04 -- 

38933 Chlorpyrifos .005 .005 

82687 cis-Permethrin .006 .006 

49305 Clopyralid .01 .02 

04041 Cyanazine .018 .018 

04031 Cycloate .01 .01 

49304 Dacthal monoacid .01 .03 

82682 DCPA .003 .003 

63778 Dechloroacetochlor -- .02 

63777 Dechloroalachlor -- .02 

63779 Dechlorodimethenamid -- .02 

63780 Dechlorometolachlor -- .02 

62170 Desulfinyl fipronil -- .012 

39572 Diazinon .005 .005 

38442 Dicamba .01 .04 

49302 Dichlorprop .01 .03 

39381 Dieldrin .005 .009 

61951 Dimethenamid ethanesulfonic acid .05 .02 

62482 Dimethenamid oxanilic acid .05 .02 

61588 Dimethenamid -- .02 

49301 Dinoseb .01 .04 

04033 Diphenamid .03 .01 

82677 Disulfoton .02 .02 

49300 Diuron .01 .02 

82668 EPTC .002 .004 

82663 Ethalfluralin .009 .009 

82672 Ethoprop .005 .005 

49297 Fenuron .03 .03 

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide -- .029 

62167 Fipronil sulfide -- .013 

62168 Fipronil sulfone -- .024 

62166 Fipronil -- .016 

61952 Flufenacet ethanesulfonic acid .05 .02 

62483 Flufenacet oxanilic acid .05 .02 

62481 Flufenacet -- .02 

61694 Flumetsulam .01 .04 

38811 Fluometuron .03 .02 

04095 Fonofos .003 .003 

63784 Hydroxyacetochlor -- .02 

63783 Hydroxyalachlor -- .02 

64045 Hydroxydimethenamid -- .02 

50407 Imazethapyr .02 .04 

61695 Imidacloprid .007 .020 

39341 Lindane .004 .004 

38478 Linuron .01 -- 

21 
Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06.--Continued 

[ --, not analyzed] 

Laboratory reporting level 

USGS 

parameter 

code Compound 2001 2005-06 

Pesticides in filtered water, micrograms per liter--Continued 

82666 Linuron .035 .035 

39532 Malathion .027 .027 

38482 MCPA .02 -- 

38487 MCPB .01 .01 

50359 Metalaxyl .02 .01 

38501 Methiocarb .008 .010 

49296 Methomyl .004 .020 

82667 Methyl parathion .006 .015 

39415 Metolachlor .013 .006 

82630 Metribuzin .006 .006 

82671 Molinate .002 .003 

61692 N-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N'-methylurea .02 .04 

82684 Napropamide .007 .007 

49294 Neburon .01 .01 

50364 Nicosulfuron .01 .04 

49293 Norflurazon .02 .02 

49292 Oryzalin .02 .01 

38866 Oxamyl .01 .03 

34653 p,p'-DDE .003 .003 

39542 Parathion .007 .010 

82669 Pebulate .002 .004 

82683 Pendimethalin .010 .022 

82664 Phorate .011 .011 

49291 Picloram .02 .03 

04037 Prometon .01 .01 

82676 Propyzamide .004 .004 

62767 Propachlor oxanilic acid -- .02 

04024 Propachlor .010 .025 

82679 Propanil .011 .011 

82685 Propargite .02 .02 

49236 Propham .010 .030 

50471 Propiconazole .02 .01 

38538 Propoxur .008 .008 

38548 Siduron .02 .02 

04035 Simazine .011 .005 

50337 Sulfometuron .009 .091 

82670 Tebuthiuron .02 .02 

82665 Terbacil .034 .034 

04032 Terbacil .010 .016 

82675 Terbufos .02 .02 

82681 Thiobencarb .005 .010 

82678 Triallate .002 .006 

61159 Tribenuron .009 -- 

49235 Triclopyr .02 .03 

82661 Trifluralin .009 .009 

22 
Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06.--Continued 

[ --, not analyzed] 

Laboratory reporting level 

USGS 

parameter 

code Compound 2001 2005-06 

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water, micrograms per liter 

32730 Phenolic compounds -- 4 

77562 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane .03 -- 

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane .03 .1 

34516 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane .09 -- 

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane .06 .1 

34511 1,1,2-Trichloroethane .06 -- 

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane .04 .1 

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene .04 .1 

77168 1,1-Dichloropropene .03 -- 

49999 1,2,3,4-Tetramethylbenzene .2 -- 

50000 1,2,3,5-Tetramethylbenzene .2 -- 

77613 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene .3 -- 

77443 1,2,3-Trichloropropane .16 -- 

77221 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene .1 -- 

34551 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene .2 -- 

77222 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene .06 -- 

82625 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane .5 -- 

77651 1,2-Dibromoethane .04 -- 

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene .03 .1 

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane .1 .2 

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane .03 .1 

77226 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene .04 -- 

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene .03 .1 

77173 1,3-Dichloropropane .1 -- 

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene .05 .1 

77170 2,2-Dichloropropane .05 -- 

77275 2-Chlorotoluene .03 -- 

77220 2-Ethyltoluene .06 -- 

78109 3-Chloropropene .07 -- 

77277 4-Chlorotoluene .06 -- 

77356 4-Isopropyltoluene .07 -- 

81552 Acetone 7 -- 

34215 Acrylonitrile 1 -- 

34030 Benzene .04 .1 

81555 Bromobenzene .04 -- 

77297 Bromochloromethane .04 -- 

32101 Bromodichloromethane .05 .1 

50002 Bromoethene .1 -- 

34413 Bromomethane .3 -- 

77041 Carbon disulfide .07 -- 

34301 Chlorobenzene .03 .1 

34311 Chloroethane .1 -- 

34418 Chloromethane .2 -- 

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene .04 .1 

34704 cis-1,3-Dichloropropene .09 -- 

32105 Dibromochloromethane .2 .2 

23 
Table 2. Constituents analyzed for but not detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 

2005-06.--Continued 

[ --, not analyzed] 

Laboratory reporting level 

USGS 

parameter 

code Compound 2001 2005-06 

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water, micrograms per liter—Continued 

30217 Dibromomethane .05 -- 

34423 Dichloromethane .2 .2 

81576 Diethyl ether .2 .2 

81577 Diisopropyl ether .10 .2 

73570 Ethyl methacrylate .2 -- 

81595 Ethyl methyl ketone 1.6 -- 

34371 Ethylbenzene .03 .1 

39702 Hexachlorobutadiene .1 -- 

34396 Hexachloroethane .2 -- 

77424 Iodomethane .12 -- 

78133 Isobutyl methyl ketone .4 -- 

77223 Isopropylbenzene .03 -- 

81593 Methyl acrylonitrile .6 -- 

49991 Methyl acrylate 1.4 -- 

81597 Methyl methacrylate .3 -- 

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether .11 .2 

85795 m-Xylene plus p-xylene .06 .2 

34696 Naphthalene .5 -- 

77103 n-Butyl methyl ketone .7 -- 

77342 n-Butylbenzene .2 -- 

77224 n-Propylbenzene .04 -- 

77135 o-Xylene .04 .1 

77350 sec-Butylbenzene .03 -- 

77128 Styrene .04 .1 

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether .05 .1 

77353 tert-Butylbenzene .06 -- 

34475 Tetrachloroethene .10 .1 

32102 Tetrachloromethane .06 .2 

81607 Tetrahydrofuran 2 -- 

34010 Toluene .05 .1 

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene .03 .1 

34699 trans-1,3-Dichloropropene .09 -- 

73547 trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene .7 -- 

32104 Tribromomethane .06 .2 

39180 Trichloroethene .04 .1 

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .09 .2 

39175 Vinyl chloride .1 .2 

24 
Table 3. Physical properties of ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[mm, millimeters; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm @ 25°C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; (00080), USGS National Water 

Information System parameter code; --, not analyzed; < , less than; M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water 

quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Color, 

platinumcobalt units 

(00080) 

Turbidity, 

nephelometric 

turbidity units 

(61028) 

Air pressure, 

mm of mercury

(00025) 

Dissolved 

oxygen, 

mg/L 

(00300) 

pH, 

standard units 

(00400) 

Specific 

conductance, 

μS/cm @ 25°C

(00095) 

Water 

temperature, 

degrees 

Celsius 

(00010) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 -- 15 735 2.1 6.0 115 11.0 

D502 -- 13 722 6.6 6.2 174 15.4 

D503 -- 3.7 737 5.8 5.8 221 11.4 

D504 -- 1.3 730 10.2 6.5 153 11.0 

D505 -- 1.4 725 4.5 6.5 74 14.6 

D506 -- 4.9 727 7.6 6.3 86 13.0 

D507 -- .4 743 7.3 5.8 349 12.2 

O2270 -- .5 747 5.5 5.9 143 15.2 

SV536 -- 2.4 722 .6 7.5 138 11.8 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 2 -- 715 M 8.3 295 10.0 

D1085 18 -- 718 2.5 7.0 191 9.6 

D1567 2 -- 730 8.2 5.9 26 5.4 

D1591 8 -- 720 .1 7.7 253 9.4 

D1628 2 -- 707 -- 6.0 170 11.8 

SV1264 < 1 -- 732 2.0 7.5 285 10.4 

SV1345 5 -- 733 1.0 7.0 155 8.9 

SV1358 2 -- 725 8.6 6.5 135 9.2 

SV1600 2 -- 729 8.7 5.6 48 9.3 

SV1689 8 -- 728 7.2 6.9 96 8.6 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

25 
Table 4. Concentrations of major ions in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (00900), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, 

estimated value; --, not analyzed] 

Well 

number1

Hardness, 

filtered, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(00900) 

Acid 

neutralizing 

capacity, 

unfiltered, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(90410) 

Alkalinity, 

filtered, 

fixed end 

point, lab, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(29801) 

Alkalinity, 

filtered, 

incremental 

titration, 

field, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(39086) 

Calcium, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00915) 

Magnesium, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00925) 

Potassium, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00935) 

Sodium, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00930) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 -- -- -- 18 8.82 2.44 1.08 7.94 

D502 -- -- -- 29 19.3 4.00 1.24 7.14 

D503 -- -- -- 20 17.3 7.67 1.07 9.40 

D504 -- -- -- 44 14.6 2.18 .70 11.0 

D505 -- -- -- 22 8.53 1.43 .69 3.09 

D506 -- -- -- 21 7.98 2.70 1.01 3.45 

D507 -- -- -- 22 13.9 3.24 2.64 43.5 

O2270 -- -- -- 14 10.3 2.10 .82 11.3 

SV536 -- -- -- 57 20.0 3.42 .68 2.21 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 56 136 136 -- 14.4 4.74 .78 53.5 

D1085 12 78 78 -- 4.17 .481 .70 38.7 

D1567 19 18 18 -- 4.96 1.63 .33 1.84 

D1591 81 186 108 -- 20.9 6.92 .93 22.8 

D1628 66 38 37 -- 19.5 4.20 1.21 5.96 

SV1264 140 96 95 -- 35.6 12.3 .64 6.17 

SV1345 92 92 92 -- 25.8 6.57 1.00 9.09 

SV1358 54 54 53 -- 18.8 1.81 1.65 4.16 

SV1600 16 15 14 -- 4.34 1.20 .41 2.79 

SV1689 40 38 38 -- 13.2 1.74 .70 4.75 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

26 
Table 4. Concentrations of major ions in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06.—

Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (00900), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, 

estimated value; --, not analyzed] 

Well 

number1

Bicarbonate2, 

filtered, 

fixed end 

point, lab, 

mg/L 

(29805) 

Bicarbonate2, 

filtered, 

incremental 

titration, field, 

mg/L 

(00453) 

Chloride, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00940) 

Fluoride, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00950) 

Silica, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00955) 

Sulfate, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00945) 

Residue on 

evaporation,

filtered, 

mg/L 

(70300) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 -- 22 15.2 < 0.2 4.54 8.6 59 

D502 -- 35 9.01 < .2 8.27 14.1 128 

D503 -- 24 34.0 < .2 10.2 11.6 162 

D504 -- 54 19.0 < .2 7.28 9.7 105 

D505 -- 27 3.94 < .2 5.19 4.8 41 

D506 -- 26 5.25 < .2 5.25 8.4 42 

D507 -- 27 83.9 < .2 4.20 9.1 205 

O2270 -- 17 24.3 < .2 5.16 9.1 99 

SV536 -- 70 4.59 .2 4.95 1.6 75 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 166 -- 25.9 .3 8.96 .7 179 

D1085 95 -- 9.04 .5 8.78 5.5 122 

D1567 22 -- .40 E .1 8.49 6.3 33 

D1591 132 -- 9.90 E .1 7.96 11.7 139 

D1628 45 -- 11.3 E .1 6.64 10.1 103 

SV1264 116 -- 26.4 E .1 9.29 8.6 163 

SV1345 112 -- 6.65 .2 10.1 8.6 120 

SV1358 65 -- 4.00 < .1 9.84 6.4 83 

SV1600 17 -- 1.32 .1 11.5 7.2 41 

SV1689 46 -- 1.08 E .1 4.72 7.3 60 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

2

 Bicarbonate values calculated from alkalinity. 

27 
Table 5. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 

2001 and 2005-06. 

[N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; mg/L, milligrams per liter; (00623), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, 

estimated value; --, not analyzed] 

Well 

number1

Ammonia plus 

organic-N, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N 

(00623) 

Ammonia, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N 

(00608) 

Nitrate plus 

nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N 

(00631) 

Nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00613) 

Orthophosphate, 

filtered, 

mg/L as P 

(00671) 

Phosphorus, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00666) 

Organic 

carbon, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(00681) 

Organic 

carbon, 

unfiltered, 

mg/L 

(00680) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 < 0.10 < 0.04 0.44 < .006 < 0.02 0.007 E 0.3 -- 

D502 E .07 < .04 6.29 < .006 < .02 E.004 .4 -- 

D503 < .10 < .04 4.89 < .006 E .01 .014 .4 -- 

D504 < .10 < .04 2.02 < .006 E .01 .011 E .3 -- 

D505 < .10 < .04 .33 < .006 < .02 .006 .4 -- 

D506 < .10 E .04 .65 < .006 < .02 < .006 E .3 -- 

D507 E .05 < .04 1.01 < .006 < .02 .006 E .3 -- 

O2270 < .10 < .04 1.36 < .006 < .02 .010 E .2 -- 

SV536 < .10 < .04 .21 < .006 .05 .054 1.2 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 E .08 .06 < .06 < .008 E .02 -- -- 1.0 

D1085 E .05 < .04 .45 < .008 .05 -- -- < 1 

D1567 < .10 < .04 .13 < .008 .03 -- -- < 1 

D1591 < .10 < .04 < .06 < .008 < .02 -- -- < 1 

D1628 .18 < .04 3.58 < .008 E .01 -- -- 1.3 

SV1264 < .10 < .04 .17 < .008 < .02 -- -- < 1 

SV1345 < .10 < .04 < .06 < .008 E .01 -- -- < 1 

SV1358 E .06 < .04 .78 < .008 .02 -- -- < 1 

SV1600 < .10 < .04 < .06 < .008 .05 -- -- < 1 

SV1689 < .10 < .04 .53 < .008 < .02 -- -- < 1 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

28 
Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01106), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated value; 

M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Aluminum, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01106) 

Aluminum, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01105) 

Antimony, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01095) 

Antimony, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01097) 

Arsenic, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01000) 

Arsenic, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01002) 

Barium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01005) 

Barium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01007) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 < 1 -- < 0.05 -- < 0.2 -- 33 -- 

D502 < 1 -- E .03 -- E .1 -- 77 -- 

D503 2 -- < .05 -- E .1 -- 32 -- 

D504 < 1 -- .06 -- .6 -- 38 -- 

D505 < 1 -- < .05 -- .2 -- 16 -- 

D506 < 1 -- E .03 -- E .1 -- 20 -- 

D507 2 -- < .05 -- < .2 -- 70 -- 

O2270 1 -- < .05 -- E .1 -- 76 -- 

SV536 < 1 -- < .05 -- E .2 -- 8 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 -- 3 -- < .2 -- 2.0 -- 141 

D1085 -- 107 -- .2 -- 8.0 -- 25 

D1567 -- 38 -- < .2 -- .12 -- 5 

D1591 -- 8 -- < .2 -- 2.5 -- 108 

D1628 -- 26 -- < .2 -- .37 -- 63 

SV1264 -- 10 -- E .1 -- .30 -- 248 

SV1345 -- 168 -- .4 -- 1.6 -- 114 

SV1358 -- 3 -- E .1 -- 21.0 -- 134 

SV1600 -- 3 -- < .2 -- .38 -- 29 

SV1689 -- 1,100 -- E .1 -- 1.5 -- 37 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

29 
Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06.—Continued 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01106), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated value; 

M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Beryllium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01010) 

Beryllium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01012) 

Boron, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01020) 

Cadmium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01025) 

Cadmium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01027) 

Chromium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01030) 

Chromium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01034) 

Cobalt, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01035) 

Cobalt, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01037) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 < 0.06 -- 7 < 0.04 -- < 0.8 -- 0.026 -- 

D502 < .06 -- 10 < .04 -- < .8 -- .055 -- 

D503 < .06 -- 8 E .04 -- < .8 -- .031 -- 

D504 < .06 -- 9 < .04 -- < .8 -- .026 -- 

D505 < .06 -- 8 < .04 -- < .8 -- .022 -- 

D506 < .06 -- 8 < .04 -- < .8 -- 2.04 -- 

D507 < .06 -- 15 E .02 -- < .8 -- .060 -- 

O2270 < .06 -- 10 < .04 -- < .8 -- .039 -- 

SV536 < .06 -- < 7 < .04 -- < .8 -- .023 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 -- E .03 203 -- < .04 -- .52 -- .047 

D1085 -- E .03 121 -- E .02 -- .71 -- .143 

D1567 -- < .06 < 7.0 -- < .04 -- .61 -- .067 

D1591 -- < .06 60 -- < .04 -- .50 -- .070 

D1628 -- < .06 8.2 -- < .04 -- .56 -- .119 

SV1264 -- < .06 14 -- < .04 -- .50 -- .141 

SV1345 -- E .04 8.1 -- < .04 -- .88 -- .201 

SV1358 -- < .06 9.4 -- < .04 -- .26 -- .050 

SV1600 -- < .06 < 7.0 -- < .04 -- .38 -- .081 

SV1689 -- .09 15 -- .05 -- 1.9 -- 2.24 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

30 
Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06.—Continued 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01106), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated value; 

M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Copper, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01040) 

Copper, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01042) 

Iron, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01046) 

Iron, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01045) 

Lead, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01049) 

Lead, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01051) 

Lithium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01130) 

Lithium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01132) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 10.6 -- 185 -- 0.31 -- E 0.2 -- 

D502 86.8 -- 123 -- .38 -- .8 -- 

D503 11.5 -- 12 -- .48 -- 2.0 -- 

D504 21.0 -- 35 -- 1.03 -- .6 -- 

D505 < .2 -- < 10 -- < .08 -- E .3 -- 

D506 < .2 -- 573 -- < .08 -- .4 -- 

D507 52.5 -- 109 -- 1.86 -- E .3 -- 

O2270 31.6 -- 15 -- 2.02 -- E .2 -- 

SV536 2.0 -- E 7 -- < .08 -- .4 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 -- E .5 34 36 -- < .06 -- 55.4 

D1085 -- 22.4 6 154 -- 2.12 -- 5.8 

D1567 -- 10.4 E 4 285 -- 1.86 -- .9 

D1591 -- .9 12 329 -- .20 -- 26.3 

D1628 -- 117 < 6 40 -- 2.27 -- .8 

SV1264 -- 1.8 < 6 117 -- .12 -- 16.1 

SV1345 -- 3.4 < 6 290 -- .25 -- 8.4 

SV1358 -- 14.6 < 6 E 3 -- .95 -- 21.4 

SV1600 -- 8.4 E 4 269 -- 4.39 -- 2.1 

SV1689 -- 16.0 E 4 2,150 -- 4.64 -- 10.5 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

31 
Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06.—Continued 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01106), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated value; 

M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Manganese, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01056) 

Manganese, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01055) 

Mercury, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(71900) 

Molybdenum,

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01060) 

Molybdenum,

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01062) 

Nickel, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01065) 

Nickel, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01067) 

Selenium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01145) 

Selenium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01147) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 5.9 -- -- < 0.2 -- 0.11 -- < 0.3 -- 

D502 7.7 -- -- < .2 -- < .06 -- E .2 -- 

D503 9.9 -- -- < .2 -- .68 -- E .2 -- 

D504 2.0 -- -- < .2 -- < .06 -- < .3 -- 

D505 11.1 -- -- .4 -- .08 -- < .3 -- 

D506 157 -- -- < .2 -- 5.10 -- < .3 -- 

D507 4.0 -- -- < .2 -- .17 -- < .3 -- 

O2270 6.3 -- -- < .2 -- < .06 -- E .2 -- 

SV536 8.2 -- -- < .2 -- < .06 -- E .2 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 55.9 54.3 < .01 -- .3 -- .28 -- < .08 

D1085 11.1 18.2 E .01 -- 6.5 -- .39 -- .38 

D1567 1.1 5.2 < .01 -- < .2 -- .31 -- E .06 

D1591 29.9 30.2 < .01 -- .5 -- .34 -- < .08 

D1628 10.4 13.0 < .01 -- .2 -- .79 -- .13 

SV1264 E .5 5.7 < .01 -- E .1 -- .71 -- .47 

SV1345 .6 62.1 < .01 -- E .2 -- .65 -- .22 

SV1358 1.2 1.3 < .01 -- .5 -- .20 -- .17 

SV1600 16.8 17.3 E .01 -- < .2 -- .38 -- E .06 

SV1689 E .4 141 < .01 -- E .1 -- 3.27 -- E .06 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

32 
Table 6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06.—Continued 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01106), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated value; 

M, presence verified but not quantified. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Strontium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01080) 

Strontium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01082) 

Vanadium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01085) 

Zinc, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(01090) 

Zinc, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(01092) 

Radon-222, 

unfiltered, 

picoCuries per 

liter 

(82303) 

Uranium, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(22703) 

Uranium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(28011) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 29.2 -- < 0.2 4.2 -- 1,640 < 0.02 -- 

D502 60.2 -- < .2 14.8 -- 1,290 < .02 -- 

D503 67.8 -- < .2 7.6 -- 720 < .02 -- 

D504 45.5 -- < .2 4.1 -- 1,640 .06 -- 

D505 28.7 -- < .2 < 1.0 -- 1,520 .03 -- 

D506 20.1 -- E .2 1.7 -- 1,090 < .02 -- 

D507 45.1 -- < .2 14.0 -- 1,120 < .02 -- 

O2270 48.5 -- < .2 24.0 -- 580 E .02 -- 

SV536 28.9 -- < .2 1.7 -- 2,280 .24 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 -- 257 -- -- < 2 1,450 -- .013 

D1085 -- 48.6 -- -- 7 1,630 -- 1.70 

D1567 -- 10.4 -- -- 3 1,580 -- E .008 

D1591 -- 214 -- -- E 2 1,980 -- 2.11 

D1628 -- 56.0 -- -- 14 710 -- .356 

SV1264 -- 439 -- -- < 2 2,000 -- .518 

SV1345 -- 364 -- -- E 2 6,350 -- 4.09 

SV1358 -- 1280 -- -- E 2 2,750 -- 5.12 

SV1600 -- 33.3 -- -- 3 2,740 -- E .011 

SV1689 -- 220 -- -- 12 1,280 -- .539 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

33 
Table 7. Concentrations of pesticides and caffeine detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 

2001 and 2005-06. 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; CIAT, 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine; CEAT, 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine; ESA, 

ethanesulfonic acid; OA, oxanilic acid; (04040), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, estimated value; --, not 

analyzed] 

Well 

number1

CIAT, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(04040) 

CEAT, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(04038) 

Acetochlor 

2nd amide, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(63782) 

Alachlor 

ESA, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(50009) 

Atrazine, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(39632) 

Caffeine, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(50305) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 E 0.004 < 0.04 -- < 0.05 E 0.004 < 0.010 

D502 E .022 < .04 -- < .05 .013 < .010 

D503 < .006 < .04 -- .08 < .007 < .010 

D504 E .002 < .04 -- < .05 E .006 < .010 

D505 E .003 < .04 -- < .05 < .007 < .010 

D506 E .004 E .01 -- < .05 .011 < .010 

D507 < .006 < .04 -- < .05 < .007 < .010 

O2270 < .006 < .04 -- < .05 < .007 < .010 

SV536 < .006 < .04 -- < .05 < .007 E .004 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

D1085 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 E .017 

D1567 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

D1591 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

D1628 E .017 < .08 .02 < .02 .012 < .018 

SV1264 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

SV1345 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

SV1358 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 E .004 

SV1600 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

SV1689 < .006 < .08 < .02 < .02 < .007 < .018 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

34 
Table 7. Concentrations of pesticides and caffeine detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 

2001 and 2005-06.—Continued

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; CIAT, 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine; CEAT, 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine; ESA, 

ethanesulfonic acid; OA, oxanilic acid; (04040), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, estimated value; --, not 

analyzed] 

Well 

number1

Hydroxymetolachlor, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(63785) 

Imazaquin, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(50356) 

Metolachlor 

ESA, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(61043) 

Metolachlor 

OA, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(61044) 

Metsulfuron, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(61697) 

Propachlor 

ESA, 

filtered, 

μg/L 

(62766) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 -- < 0.02 0.17 < 0.05 < 0.03 -- 

D502 -- < .02 1.27 < .05 < .03 -- 

D503 -- < .02 .67 < .05 < .03 -- 

D504 -- < .02 .26 < .05 < .03 -- 

D505 -- E .02 < .05 < .05 < .03 -- 

D506 -- < .02 < .05 < .05 < .03 -- 

D507 -- < .02 < .05 < .05 < .03 -- 

O2270 -- < .02 < .05 < .05 < .03 -- 

SV536 -- < .02 < .05 < .05 < .03 -- 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 .05 

D1085 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .03 < .05 

D1567 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .03 < .05 

D1591 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 < .05 

D1628 < .02 < .04 .24 .02 < .03 < .05 

SV1264 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 < .05 

SV1345 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 < .05 

SV1358 .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 < .05 

SV1600 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 E .01 < .05 

SV1689 < .02 < .04 < .02 < .02 < .07 < .05 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

35 
Table 8. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in ground-water samples from the Delaware River 

Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (34668), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; < , less than; E, estimated value]

Well number1

Dichlorodifluoromethane, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(34668) 

Methyl tert-butyl 

ether, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(78032) 

Trichloromethane, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L 

(32106) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 < 0.27 < 0.2 < 0.02 

D502 < .27 < .2 < .02 

D503 E .56 < .2 < .02 

D504 < .27 < .2 < .02 

D505 < .27 < .2 E .03 

D506 < .27 < .2 < .02 

D507 < .27 < .2 < .02 

O2270 < .27 E .1 < .02 

SV536 < .27 < .2 < .02 

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 < .2 < .2 < .1 

D1085 < .2 < .2 < .1 

D1567 < .2 < .2 < .1 

D1591 < .2 < .2 < .1 

D1628 < .2 < .2 < .1 

SV1264 < .2 < .2 < .1 

SV1345 < .2 < .2 < .1 

SV1358 < .2 < .2 < .1 

SV1600 < .2 < .2 < .1 

SV1689 < .2 < .2 < .1 

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

36 
Table 9. Concentrations of bacteria in ground-water samples from the Delaware River Basin, 2001 and 2005-06. 

[mL, milliliter; (78943), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; --, not analyzed; < , less than; E, estimated value; > , greater 

than. Bold text indicates sample exceeds water quality standards] 

Well 

number1

Heterotrophic plate 

count, 

unfiltered, 

colonies per mL 

(78943) 

Escherichia coli, 

unfiltered, 

colonies per 100 mL 

(50278) 

Fecal coliform, 

unfiltered, 

colonies per 100 mL 

(31625) 

Total coliform, 

unfiltered, 

colonies per 100 mL 

(31501) 

Sand and gravel wells (2001) 

BM732 -- < 1 -- E 8

D502 -- < 1 -- > 80

D503 -- -- -- < 1 

D504 -- -- -- < 1 

D505 -- -- -- < 1 

D506 -- -- -- < 1 

D507 -- -- -- < 1 

O2270 -- < 1 -- E 2

SV536 -- < 1 -- E 2

Bedrock wells (2005-06) 

D960 1 -- < 1 < 1 

D1085 5 -- < 5 < 20 

D1567 6 -- < 20 < 20 

D1591 29 -- < 1 < 1 

D1628 7 -- < 5 < 20 

SV1264 < 1 -- < 1 < 1 

SV1345 34 -- < 1 < 1 

SV1358 3 -- < 1 < 1 

SV1600 38 -- < 20 < 20 

SV1689 86 -- < 1 3

1

 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; O, Orange County; SV, Sullivan County. 

37 
Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-2006—Open-File Report 2007-XXXX 

Ground-Water Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005-2006