Prepared in cooperation with the City of Independence, Missouri 

Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank 

Filtration Between the Missouri River and 

Three Pumping Wells of the Independence, 

Missouri, Well Field, 2003–05

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5174

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Quality Changes Caused by 

Riverbank Filtration Between the 

Missouri River and Three Pumping 

Wells of the Independence, Missouri, 

Well Field 2003–05

By Brian P. Kelly and Paul H. Rydlund, Jr.

Prepared in cooperation with the

City of Independence, Missouri

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5174

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

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

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication 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 materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation: 

Kelly, B.P., and Rydlund, P.H., Jr., 2006, Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri

River and Three Pumping Wells of the Independence, Missouri, Well Field 2003–05: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific

Investigations Report 2006–5174, 48 p.
iii

CONTENTS

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

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

Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Quality-Assurance Methods and Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three 

Pumping Wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Water-Quality Changes Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells based on 

Estimated Ground-Water Traveltimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Disinfection By-Product Formation Potentials and Organic Material, Organic Indicators, and

Turbidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Cross-Sectional Distribution of Selected Compounds and Properties in the Missouri River. . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Summary and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Figures

1–2. Maps showing:

1. Location of the Independence well field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2. Inflows to the Missouri River that may affect river-water quality near the Independence 

well field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

3. Generalized geologic section A-A’ near collector well 41 of the Independence well field . . . . . . . . . . . .5

4. Graph showing Missouri River sampling dates and discharge at Kansas City, Missouri, 

October 29, 2003, through August 31, 2004. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5. Box plots showing statistical summary of dissolved oxygen concentrations and selected 

physical properties in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector 

well 41 of the Independence well field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6. Graphs showing dissolved oxygen concentrations and values of physical properties in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time, and in water 

samples from the Missouri River with discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

7. Box plots showing statistical summary of organic material and organic indicators in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence 

well field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

8. Graphs showing organic material concentrations and values of organic indicators in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time, and in water 

samples from the Missouri River with discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

9. Box plots showing statistical summary of selected nutrients in water samples from the Missouri 

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

10. Graphs showing nutrient concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge. . . . . 20

11. Box plots showing statistical summary of total coliform bacteria and total culturable viruses in 

water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence 

well field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

12. Graphs showing total coliform bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in water samples 

from the Missouri River with time and discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
iv

13. Box plots showing statistical summary of haloacetic acid formation potentials in six water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence 

well field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

14. Graphs showing haloacetic acid formation potential concentrations in water samples from the 

Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the 

Missouri River with discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

15. Box plots showing statistical summary of trihalomethane formation potential concentrations

in six water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the 

Independence well field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

16–20. Graphs showing:

16. Trihalomethane formation potential concentrations in water samples from the Missouri 

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the 

Missouri River with discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

17. Median log removals of turbidity, total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and 

total culturable viruses calculated using the minimum reporting level, one-half the 

minimum reporting level, and one-tenth the minimum reporting level between water 

samples from the Missouri River and water samples from wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

18. Minimum log removals of turbidity, total coliform bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable 

viruses in water samples from all wells based on ground-water traveltime between the 

Missouri River and wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

19. Organic material, organic indicators, turbidity, and total haloacetic acid formation 

potential in water samples from the Missouri River and all wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

20. Organic material, organic indicators, turbidity, and total trihalomethane formation 

potential in water samples from the Missouri River and all wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

21–24. Maps showing:

21. Dissolved oxygen concentration in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, 

August 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

22. Specific conductance values in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, 

August 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

23. Water temperature in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, 

August 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

24. Turbidity values in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, 

August 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
v

Tables

1. Dissolved oxygen, physical properties, organic material, organic indicators, nutrients, total 

coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, total culturable viruses, haloacetic acid 

formation potentials, trihalomethane formation potentials, and organic wastewater compounds 

analyses and methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

2. Sampling schedule and analyses for each water sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

3. Quality-assurance/quality-control sample results for water samples from the Missouri River, 

collector well 41, and a laboratory spike sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4. Missouri River discharge, dissolved oxygen, and physical properties in water samples from the 

Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5. Organic material and organic indicators in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 

and 38, and collector well 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

6. Nutrients in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 . . . . . . . . . 18

7. Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

8. Haloacetic acid formation potentials in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

9. Trihalomethane formation potentials in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

10. Median values and change in median values of water quality in water samples between the 

Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, collector well 41, and all wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

11. Well depths, screened intervals, and distance from the Missouri River to screened intervals of 

wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that 

approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River to wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41. . . . . . . 34

13. Dissolved organic wastewater compounds detected in water samples from the Missouri River, 

wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
vi

Conversion Factors and Datum

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.)

inch (in.)

foot (ft)

mile (mi)

2.54

25.4

 0.3048

 1.609

centimeter (cm)

millimeter (mm)

meter (m)

kilometer (km)

Flow rate

foot per day (ft/d)

cubic foot per second (ft3/s)

million gallons per day (Mgal/d)

0.3048

 0.02832

 0.04381

meter per day (m/d)

cubic meter per second

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)

(m3/s)

Conversion Factors and Datum

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

°F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of

1988 (NGVD88)—A geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level

nets of both the United States and Canada.

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83).

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at

25°C).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given either in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or

micrograms per liter (μg/L).

Multiply By To obtain

Length

millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in.)

Volume

liter (L) 33.82 ounce, fluid (fl. oz)

liter (L) 2.113 pint (pt)

liter (L) 1.057 quart (qt)

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal) 

liter (L) 61.02 cubic inch (in3) 
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration 

Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 

of the Independence, Missouri, Well Field 2003–05

By Brian P. Kelly and Paul H. Rydlund, Jr.

Abstract

The city of Independence, Missouri, operates a well field 

in the Missouri River alluvial aquifer. About 250,000 people in 

several communities were supplied water from the 29 million 

gallons per day average daily production from the well field in 

2004. In 2005, the Independence Water Department followed 

source-water treatment rules established by the State of Missouri for ground water that include maximum contaminant levels for disinfection by-products, minimum residual disinfectant 

levels in finished water, and specific goals for removal and (or) 

inactivation of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. 

Study results indicate riverbank filtration substantially 

improves the source-water quality of the Independence well 

field. Samples analyzed from the Missouri River near the Independence well field, two vertical wells, and a collector well 

indicate riverbank filtration decreased dissolved oxygen, pH, 

turbidity, dissolved organic carbon, ultraviolet absorption at 

254 nanometers, chlorophyll a, tannin and lignin, and dissolved 

ammonia nitrogen in two wells. Dissolved nitrite nitrogen, dissolved nitrate nitrogen, dissolved orthophosphorous, total 

coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, total culturable 

viruses, total haloacetic acid formation, and total trihalomethane formation potential decreased between the Missouri 

River and three wells of the Independence well field.

Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and 

total culturable viruses were detected in the Missouri River, but 

were below minimum reporting levels in all samples from 

wells. Total coliform bacteria decreased 100 percent, 

Cryptosporidium decreased between 96 and 100 percent, 

Giardia decreased between 97 and 100 percent, and total culturable viruses decreased between 85 and 100 percent between the 

Missouri River and wells, using minimum reporting levels for 

non-detections in water samples. Log removals between the 

Missouri River and wells were greater than 1.60 for turbidity, 

greater than 4.57 for total coliform bacteria, greater than 1.67 

for Cryptosporidium, greater than 1.67 for Giardia, and greater 

than 1.15 for total culturable virus. 

Approximate ground-water traveltimes from the river to 

the wells based on water temperature profiles ranged from 1 to 

9 months. The rate of ground-water flow from the Missouri 

River to the wells ranged between 1.2 and 6.7 feet per day. 

These rates are less than rates typical of slow sand filters. 

Slower flow rates result in greater filtration and indicate riverbank filtration at this site may be comparable to or more effective than a slow sand filter. 

Water-quality changes between samples from the Missouri 

River and samples collected from wells at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River to wells indicate 

no clear relation between changes in water quality in the Missouri River and in wells for almost all constituents. The absence 

of any trends in water quality between the Missouri River and 

the pumping wells indicates the strong influence of riverbank 

filtration.

Minimum log removals were calculated between samples 

from the Missouri River and wells based on ground-water traveltime and were infinite for total coliform bacteria, and range 

from 0.8 to 3.5 for turbidity, from 1.5 to 2.1 for Giardia, and 

from 0.4 to 2.6 for total culturable viruses. Log removals for 

Cryptosporidium were not included because it was detected 

only once at the end of the sampling period and no corresponding well samples were collected.

For water samples from the Missouri River, haloacetic 

acid formation potential was related positively to ultraviolet 

absorption at 254 nanometers (R2 = 0.94), tannin and lignin (R2 

= 0.93), and turbidity (R2 = 0.97), and trihalomethane formation 

potential was related positively to dissolved organic carbon (R2 

= 0.89), ultraviolet absorption at 254 nanometers (R2 = 0.85), 

tannin and lignin (R2 = 0.90), and turbidity (R2 = 0.89). These 

would likely be good indicators of haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation potentials in water from the Missouri River. 

Haloacetic acid formation potential and trihalomethane formation potential were not well related to any of these organic materials, organic indicators, or turbidity for water samples from 

wells. 

Organic wastewater compounds were detected in samples 

collected from a cross section of the Missouri River and all sampled wells. Synoptic measurements of dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity in the Missouri 

River adjacent to the Independence well field were used to create maps of their distribution in the river. Results of analyses for 

organic wastewater compounds and the distribution of dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, and temperature indicate 

that Missouri River water quality on the south side of the river 
2 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

was moderately influenced by the south bank inflows to the 

river just upstream from the Independence well field. 

Introduction

The city of Independence, Missouri, operates a well field 

in the Missouri River alluvial aquifer (fig. 1). About 250,000 

people in several communities were supplied water from the 29 

million gallons per day average daily production from the well 

field in 2004 (Independence Water Department, written commun., 2004). Previous studies by the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) have characterized the hydrogeology of, and groundwater flow in, the Missouri River alluvial aquifer and contributing recharge areas in the Kansas City metropolitan area to public-water-supply well fields including the Independence well 

field (Kelly and Blevins, 1995; Kelly, 1996).

The results of a study determining the relative amounts of 

Independence well field pumpage derived from ground water 

and the amount of induced inflow from the Missouri River indicate that approximately 50 to 90 percent of the pumpage from 

the Independence well field is induced from the Missouri River 

(Kelly, 2002). Consequently, the quality of the river water 

affects the quality of the pumped water. 

Inflows to the Missouri River that may affect river-water 

quality near the Independence well field include direct discharges from sewage-treatment plants and chemical manufacturers, and possible runoff or ground-water seepage from a 

former oil refinery, or the Conservation Chemical Superfund 

site (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005). Industrial 

discharges to the Blue River, a tributary to the Missouri River 

just upstream from the Independence well field, also may affect 

water quality (fig. 2). If water quality of the Missouri River substantially is affected by water from urban point sources, then the 

quality of source water to the Independence well field also may 

be affected.

In 2005, the Independence Water Department followed 

source-water treatment rules established for ground water by the 

State of Missouri (Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 

2003); however, given the close connection between some wells 

and the Missouri River, the treatment strategy may need to 

change to comply with rules established for ground water under 

the direct influence of surface water. These rules include maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of disinfection by-products, 

minimum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) in finished 

water, and specific goals for removal and (or) inactivation of 

bacteria, protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium), and viruses. 

Disinfectants used in water-treatment systems to control 

harmful microorganisms can combine with naturally occurring 

organic and inorganic matter to form potentially harmful disinfection by-products. Some disinfection by-products can cause 

cancer and reproductive or developmental effects in laboratory 

animals (Nikolaou and others, 1999). Examples of chlorinated, 

organic disinfection by-products include haloacetic acids and 

trihalomethanes. Simultaneously removing or inactivating 

microorganisms using disinfectants, maintaining MRDLs in the 

water system, and limiting the formation of disinfection byproducts in finished water is a challenge faced by public-water 

suppliers across the nation. Several methods to reduce the formation of disinfection by-products are available to water suppliers. These include treating water to remove disinfection byproducts after their formation, using alternative disinfectants 

that do not promote the formation of disinfection by-products, 

and removing disinfection by-product precursors before disinfectants are added (Nikolaou and others, 1999). In many cases, 

removing disinfection by-products after formation is not economical, and alternative disinfectants (sometimes less effective 

than the widely used chlorine in removing bacteria, protozoa, 

and viruses) also may form disinfection by-products; therefore, 

removing disinfection by-product precursors before adding disinfectant may be the most viable method of limiting disinfection 

by-product formation for many drinking-water suppliers.

Methods to remove disinfection by-product precursors 

from source water include coagulation, softening, membrane 

filtration, or absorption onto granular activated carbon. For 

public-water suppliers like the Independence Water Department, with source water that may be ground water under the 

direct influence of surface water, riverbank filtration can be 

used to improve source-water quality before the addition of disinfectant. Riverbank filtration is the filtering of river water 

intended for public-water supply through alluvial deposits using 

infiltration galleries, pumping wells located near rivers, or horizontal collector wells located beneath rivers. Riverbank filtration can remove varying quantities of herbicides, herbicide 

metabolites, organics, microbes, and particulates from surface 

water. Processes that occur during riverbank filtration include 

mechanical filtration, adsorption, biodegradation, ion 

exchange, and chemical reactions (Wang and others, 2002). 

Important constituents potentially removed from source water 

by riverbank filtration are parasites, bacteria, viruses, and 

organic matter, a precursor of disinfection by-products. 

Removal goals typically are expressed in terms of log removal 

where 1 log removal removes 90 percent, 2 log removal 

removes 99 percent, and 3 log removal removes 99.9 percent, 

and so on.

Knowledge of the change in water quality caused by riverbank filtration between the Missouri River and the wells of the 

Independence well field can be used to indicate the most effective types of water treatment for the city of Independence Water 

Plant and other similar public-water supplies. Reducing disinfection by-product precursor material and inactivating bacteria, 

protozoa, and viruses from riverbank filtration can limit the formation of disinfection by-products because less precursor material is available and less disinfectant is required. Quantification 

of the removal of these constituents allows managers to alter 

well field operations to enhance precursor and microbial 

removal. However, improvement of the quality of source water 

to the Independence well field from riverbank filtration was 

unknown before this study. Numerous water supplies across the 

nation are designated as ground water under the direct influence 

of surface water. Information about removing disinfection
Introduction 3

!!

!

Collector well 41

Well 7

Well 38

Independence

well field

RIVER

MISSOURI

94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23' 94°22' 94°21'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

0 0.5 1 2 KILOMETERS

0 0.5 1 MILES

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

Location map

#

U.S. Geological Survey 

streamflow-gaging station, 

Missouri River

at Kansas City

A

A‘

Independence

well field

MISSOURI RIVER

Alluvial aquifer boundary

Trace of geologic section (fig. 3)

Independence water-supply well

Water-supply well sampled

Missouri River sampling site

Borehole

EXPLANATION

!

A A’

MISSOURI

Study

area

Figure 1. Location of the Independence well field
4 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Independence

well field

Conservation

chemical 

superfund site

Agricultural 

chemical

plant Former

oil 

refinery

Sewage 

treatment 

plant

Sewage 

treatment 

plant

Missouri

River

Blue River

EXPLANATION

Independence water-supply well

0 1 2 KILOMETERS

0 1 2 MILES

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

94°30' 94°29' 94°28' 94°27' 94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23' 94°22'

39°06'

39°07'

39°08'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

Figure 2. Inflows to the Missouri River that may affect river-water quality near the Independence well field.

by-product precursors and bacteria, protozoa, and viruses by 

riverbank filtration at the Independence well field can be used 

to help guide future water-treatment strategies for the Independence well field and other similar public-water supplies.

The scope of the study described in this report was to 

determine the effects of riverbank filtration on the water quality 

of induced recharge to the Independence well field from the 

Missouri River from October 2003 through August 2005. The 

purpose of this report is to present the results of analyses and 

variability in water-quality data obtained during the study; 

describe changes in water quality between the Missouri River 

and three pumping wells of the Independence well field; 

describe the relation of haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation potentials to organic material, organic indicators, and 

turbidity in samples from the Missouri river and the Independence well field; and describe the cross-sectional distribution of 

organic wastewater compounds and dissolved oxygen and 

physical properties in the Missouri River. The International 

System of Units (SI) is used in this report. However, descriptions of well construction, lithology, and stream discharge are 

identified based on inch/pound units of measure to allow read-
Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis 5

ers to easily identify and compare these descriptions with the 

original sources of data.

Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis

The Missouri River near the Independence well field, vertical wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 were sampled during 

the study (fig. 1). Samples from the Missouri River were collected near the well field from a boat. An integrated-depth sampler was used multiple times from the same vertical section of 

the river until enough sample volume was collected. The sample 

was composited in a churn splitter. At times, floating debris in 

the river prevented sampling from the boat and a grab sample 

was obtained from the south bank of the Missouri River near the 

well field. Water samples from vertical and collector wells were 

collected at the tap of each well. All water samples were collected and preserved according to the methods described in the 

USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004).

Wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41 are among the closest 

wells to the river and thus represented pumping wells with the 

smallest probable removal rates most likely influenced by Missouri River water quality. Well 7 is approximately 103 ft (feet) 

deep with a 50-ft screened interval at the bottom of the well. 

Well 38 is approximately 88 ft deep with a 36-ft screened interval at the bottom of the well. Collector well 41 is a steel reinforced cylindrical concrete caisson approximately 117 ft deep. 

Eight, 12-inch laterals between 89 and 215 ft long extend horizontally into the aquifer in two tiers, each with four laterals at 

the bottom of the caisson. The laterals extend in a fan-like pattern below and parallel to the Missouri River (Camp, Dresser, 

and McKee, Inc., 2000). A generalized geologic section developed from well logs (Camp, Dresser, and McKee, Inc., 2000; 

Kelly, 1996) shows the lithology of the Missouri River alluvial 

aquifer between the Missouri River and collector well 41 (fig. 

3). The lithology between the Missouri River and well 7 

(located 300 ft to the northeast of collector well 41) and well 38 

is similar with finer grained clay, silt and sand overlying layers 

of fine to coarse grained sand, and sand and gravel. The Missouri River channel bottom intersects the sand layers of the alluvial aquifer, which explains the close interaction between surface water and ground water near the Independence well field.

Water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41 were analyzed for dissolved oxygen and 

physical properties, organic material, organic indicators, nutrients, bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, and formation potentials 

for haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes. Initial sampling of the 

Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 included 

organic wastewater compounds. Specific analyses and laboratory methods for these constituents are listed in table 1. The 

sampling schedule and analysis for each water sample are listed 

in table 2.

590

610

630

650

670

690

710

730

750

 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400

DISTANCE, IN FEET

ALTITUDE, IN FEET ABOVE NGVD 88

Clay, silt, and sand

Sand and gravel Sand and gravel

Bedrock

A A‘

Collector

 well 41

Missouri River stage

August 10, 2005

Land surface

Collector well laterals

Clay, silt, and sand

Borehole

Borehole

NW SE

Figure 3. Generalized geologic section A-A′ (fig. 1) near collector well 41 of the Independence well field.
6 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Table 1. Dissolved oxygen, physical properties, organic material, organic indicators, nutrients, total coliform bacteria,

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, total culturable viruses, haloacetic acid formation potentials, trihalomethane formation 

potentials, and organic wastewater compounds analyses and methods

[CAS, chemical abstracts services; MRL, minimum reporting level; LRL, laboratory reporting level; MCL, maximum contaminant level; DNR, 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources; analytical method prefix “B, I, O” reference U.S. Geological Survey methods and number prefixes;

--, no data; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; na, not applicable; oC, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; NTU, nephelometric turbidity

unit; nm, nanometers; SM, Standard Method; u/cm, units per centimeter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters;

<, less than; EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; %, percent; oocysts/L, oocysts per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; ICR, Information 

Collection Rule; MPN/100 L, most probable number per 100 liters]

Analytical

CAS method MCL

number Property or constituent number MRL LRL DNR Units

Dissolved oxygen and physical properties

-- Specific conductance, laboratory 1I-2781-85 -- 2.6 -- μS/cm

-- Specific conductance, field na 0.1 -- -- μS/cm -- pH, field na .1 -- -- pH

-- Temperature na .1 -- -- o

C

-- Oxygen dissolved, field na .1 -- -- mg/L -- Turbidity na -- -- 0.3 NTU

Organic material and organic indicators

-- Ultraviolet Absorbance, 254 nm 2SM-5910B 0.0035 -- -- u/cm

-- Organic carbon, dissolved 3

O-1120-92 .33 -- -- mg/L

479-61-8 Chlorophyll a, phytoplankton 4B-6530-85 .1 -- -- μg/L

- Tannin and lignin 2SM-5550B .1 -- -- mg/L

Nutrients, dissolved

766-41-7 Nitrogen, ammonia 5I-2522-90 0.02 -- -- mg/L

14797-65-0 Nitrogen, nitrite 51I-2549-90 .01 -- 1 mg/L

-- Nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate 5I-2545-90 .05 -- 10 mg/L

14265-44-2 Phosphorus, orthophosphorous 5I-2601-90 .01 -- -- mg/L

Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses

-- Total coliform, fecal na < 1 -- 0 col/100 mL

-- Cryptosporidium 6

EPA 1623 -- -- 99% removal oocysts/L

-- Giardia Lamblia 6EPA 1623 -- -- 99.9% removal cysts/L -- Total culturable virus 7EPA ICR -- -- 99.99% removal MPN/100 L

Haloacetic acid formation potential by compound

631-64-1 Dibromoacetic acid 8EPA 552.2 1.0 -- 60 μg/L

79-43-6 Dichloroacetic acid 8

EPA 552.2 1.0 -- 60 μg/L

79-08-3 Monobromoacetic acid 8EPA 552.2 1.0 -- 60 μg/L

79-11-8 Monochloroacetic acid 8EPA 552.2 2.0 -- 60 μg/L

76-03-9 Trichloroacetic acid 8

EPA 552.2 1.0 -- 60 μg/L

-- Total haloacetic acids 8EPA 552.2 -- -- 60 μg/L

Trihalomethane formation potential by compound

75-27-4 Bromodichloromethane 9EPA 524.2 0.5 -- 80 μg/L

75-25-2 Bromoform 9EPA 524.2 .5 -- 80 μg/L

67-66-3 Chloroform 9

EPA 524.2 .5 -- 80 μg/L

124-48-1 Dibromochloromethane 9EPA 524.2 .5 -- 80 μg/L

-- Total trihalomethanes 9EPA 524.2 -- -- 80 μg/L

Organic wastewater compounds, dissolved

486-56-6 Cotinine 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

136-85-6 5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

84-65-1 Anthraquinone 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

98-86-2 Acetophenone 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

21145-77-7 Acetylhexamethyltetrahydronaphthalene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

120-12-7 Anthracene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

106-46-7 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

50-32-8 Benzo[a]pyrene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- 0.2 μg/L

119-61-9 Benzophenone 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

314-40-9 Bromacil 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

75-25-2 Bromoform 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

25013-16-5 3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) 10O-1433-01 5.0 -- -- μg/L

58-08-2 Caffeine 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

Caffeine-C13 10O-1433-01 -- -- --

76-22-2 Camphor 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

63-25-2 Carbaryl 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

86-74-8 Carbazole 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

2921-88-2 Chlorpyrifos 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

57-88-5 Cholesterol 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

360-68-9 3-beta-Coprostanol 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

98-82-8 Isopropylbenzene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

134-62-3 N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

333-41-5 Diazinon 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

62-73-7 Dichlorvos 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

80-05-7 Bisphenol A 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

77-93-0 Triethylcitrate (ethyl citrate) 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

127-18-4 Tetrachloroethylene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

206-44-0 Fluoranthene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

1222-05-5 Hexahydrohexamethylcyclopentabenzopyrane 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L
Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis 7

Table 1. Dissolved oxygen, physical properties, organic material, organic indicators, nutrients, total coliform bacteria,

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, total culturable viruses, haloacetic acid formation potentials, trihalomethane formation

potentials, and organic wastewater compounds analyses and methods—Continued

[CAS, chemical abstracts services; MRL, minimum reporting level; LRL, laboratory reporting level; MCL, maximum contaminant level; DNR, 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources; analytical method prefix “B, I, O” reference U.S. Geological Survey methods and number prefixes;

--, no data; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; na, not applicable; o

C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; NTU, nephelometric turbidity

unit; nm, nanometers; SM, Standard Method; u/cm, units per centimeter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters;

<, less than; EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; %, percent; oocysts/L, oocysts per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; ICR, Information 

Collection Rule; MPN/100 L, most probable number per 100 liters]

Analytical

CAS method MCL

number Property or constituent number MRL LRL DNR Units

Organic wastewater compounds, dissolved—Continued

120-72-9 Indole 10O-1433-01 0.5 -- -- μg/L

124-76-5 Isoborneol 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

78-59-1 Isophorone 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

119-65-3 Isoquinoline 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

5989-27-5 d-Limonene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

89-78-1 Menthol 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

57837-19-1 Metalaxyl 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

51218-45-2 Metolachlor 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

91-20-3 Naphthalene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

90-12-0 1-Methylnaphthalene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

581-42-0 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

91-57-6 2-Methylnaphthalene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

26027-38-2 Nonylphenol,diethoxy-(total) 10O-1433-01 5.0 -- -- μg/L

26636-32-8 Octylphenol,diethoxy- 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

26636-32-8 Octylphenol,monoethoxy- 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

106-44-5 p-Cresol 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

599-64-4 4-Cumylphenol 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

84852-15-3 para-Nonylphenol (total) 10O-1433-01 5.0 -- -- μg/L

1806-26-4 4-n-Octylphenol 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

140-66-9 4-tert-Octylphenol 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

85-01-8 Phenanthrene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

108-95-2 Phenol 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

87-86-5 Pentachlorophenol 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

126-73-8 Tributylphosphate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

115-86-6 Triphenylphosphate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

78-51-3 Tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

115-96-8 Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

1610-18-0 Prometon 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

129-00-0 Pyrene 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

119-36-8 Methylsalicylate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

83-34-1 3-Methyl-1(H)-indole(Skatole) 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

83-46-5 beta-Sitosterol 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

19466-47-8 beta-Stigmastanol 10O-1433-01 2.0 -- -- μg/L

3380-34-5 Triclosan 10O-1433-01 1.0 -- -- μg/L

13674-87-8 Tris(dichlorisopropyl)phosphate 10O-1433-01 .5 -- -- μg/L

1

Fishman and Friedman (1989).

2Standard Methods 20th Ed. (1998).

3

Brenton and Arnett (1993).

4

Britton and Greeson (1987).

5Fishman (1993).

6

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2001).

7U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1996).

8U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1995a).

9

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1995b).

10Zaugg and others (2002).
Table 2. Sampling schedule and analyses for each water sample. [nm, nanometer; --, no data] Haloacetic a

Dissolved oxygen Ultraviolet Dissolved Tannin Total Cryptosporidium Total and 

Grab Sample and physical absorbance Chlorophyll organic and Dissolved coliform and culturable trihalometha

sample date properties 254 nm a carbon lignin nutrients bacteria Giardia virus formation pote

Missouri River, middle (Identifier, 390945094242400, fig. 1) -- 10/29/2003 X X X X X -- -- X X X 

-- 1029/2003 X X X X X -- -- -- -- -- -- 12/17/2003 X X X X X -- -- X -- X 

X 1/28/2004 X X X X X X X X -- X 

-- 2/24/2004 X X X X X X X X X X -- 3/30/2004 X X X X X X X X X X 

X 3/30/2004 X X X X X X -- -- -- -- 

-- 4/27/2004 X X X X X X X X X X 

X 5/25/2004 X X X X X X X X -- 

-- 6/30/2004 X X X X X X X X X -- 

X 8/31/2004 X X -- X X X X -- 

Missouri River, south (Identifier, 390942094242100, fig. 1) -- 10/29/2003 X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

-- 2/24/2004 X -- -- -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Missouri River, north (Identifier, 390947094242600. fig. 1) -- 10/29/2003 X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Well 7 (Identifier, 390949094241300, fig. 1) -- 11/19/2003 X X X X X -- -- X X X 

-- 12/17/2003 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 1/28/2004 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 2/25/2004 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 3/31/2004 X X X X X X -- X X X -- 5/4/2004 X X -- X X X -- -- -- X -- 5/26/2004 X X -- X -- X -- -- -- -- -- 7/13/2004 X X X X X X -- X X -- -- 9/8/2004 X X -- X -- X X -- -- -- 

Well 38 (Identifier, 391000094230200, fig. 1) -- 11/5/2003 X X X X -- -- -- X X X 

-- 12/17/2003 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 1/28/2004 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 2/25/2004 X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- X -- 3/31/2004 X X X X -- X -- X X X -- 5/4/2004 X X -- X X X -- -- -- X -- 5/26/2004 X X -- X -- X -- -- -- -- -- 7/13/2004 X X -- X X X -- X X -- -- 9/8/2004 X X -- X -- X X -- -- -- 

Collector Well 41 (Identifier, 390940094242500, fig. 1) -- 11/19/2003 X X X X -- -- -- X X X 

-- 11/19/2003 X X -- X X -- -- -- -- -- -- 12/17/2003 X X X X X -- -- X X X -- 1/28/2004 X X X X X X X X X X -- 2/25/2004 X X X X X X -- X X X -- 3/30/2004 X X X X -- X -- X X X -- 3/30/2004 X X X X -- X -- -- -- -- -- 5/4/2004 X X X X X X -- X X X -- 5/26/2004 X X X X X X -- X X -- -- 7/13/2004 X X X X X X -- X X -- -- 9/8/2004 X X -- X -- X X X X -- 
Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis 9

Water samples from wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 

were collected and analyzed to determine changes in dissolved 

oxygen and physical properties, organic materials, organic indicators, nutrients, bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Haloacetic 

acid and trihalomethane formation potentials were analyzed in 

river and well samples at the beginning of the study to determine their correlation with organic materials and organic indicators.

Water temperature and specific conductance in the collector well were measured to identify temperature or specific conductance signatures that can be used to determine the traveltime 

between the river and the collector well. Monthly samples were 

collected from wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41. The water 

quality of well samples was compared to river samples and 

examined for trends. Selected samples were analyzed for tannin 

and lignin, chlorophyll a, total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses to allow a qualitative 

comparison of these constituents in these wells to that in the collector well. This comparison was used to indicate the log 

removals of total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia,

total culturable viruses, and the change in concentration of natural organic material precursors to disinfection by-products 

between the Missouri River and supply wells of the Independence well field. 

Dissolved oxygen and physical properties in the Missouri 

River and in ground water were measured at the time of sampling using methods described in the USGS National Field 

Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004). Dissolved oxygen was measured 

with a temperature-compensated portable dissolved oxygen 

meter calibrated to air saturated water and checked with a zero 

dissolved oxygen solution. Values for pH were measured using 

a temperature-compensated portable meter calibrated with standard buffers that bracketed the expected sample pH values. Specific conductance was measured using a portable conductivity 

meter with temperature compensation and calibrated with standard buffers that bracketed the expected sample specific conductance values. Water temperature was measured using a thermistor thermometer. Turbidity was measured in nephelometric 

turbidity units using a portable turbidimeter calibrated with formazin standards for turbidity. 

A multi-parameter water-quality monitor mounted on a 

boat was used to measure dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity in the Missouri River. Sensors 

on the monitor were cleaned and calibrated according to the 

manufacturer’s specifications (Wagner and others, 2000). A 

Global Positioning Satellite receiver recorded the position of 

the monitor for each measurement to reference the water-quality measurement to a specific location on the Missouri River. 

Measurements of water quality and position were made for 142 

cross sections (4,280 measurements) on August 8, 9, and 10, 

2005. The data were input into geographic information system 

software and interpolated to produce the cross-sectional distribution of each measured water-quality property.

Samples for nutrient analysis were filtered through a 0.45-

μm (micrometer) glass fiber filter and collected in 125-mL 

(milliliter) brown polyethylene bottles, chilled to 4 o

C (degrees 

Celsius) and shipped on the day of sample collection to the 

USGS National Water-Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, Colorado (NWQL) or the USGS Ocala Water Quality and Research 

Laboratory in Ocala Florida (OCALA). Samples for dissolved 

organic carbon were filtered through a 0.45-μm glass fiber filter, collected in 125-mL amber glass bottles that had been baked 

at 400 o

C, and preserved with 4.5N sulfuric acid. Samples for 

chlorophyll a were collected on 47-mm (millimeter) diameter 

glass fiber filters. The filters were placed in glass vials and 

wrapped in aluminum foil. Samples for tannin and lignin were 

collected in a 250-mL polyethylene bottle. Samples for ultraviolet absorbance were filtered through a 0.45-μm glass fiber filter and collected in 125-mL amber glass bottle. All samples for 

analysis of organic carbon, chlorophyll a, and tannin and lignin 

were chilled to 4 o

C and shipped on the day of sample collection 

to the NWQL or OCALA.

Total coliform bacteria samples were prepared for analysis 

within 1 hour of collection at the USGS laboratory in Lee’s 

Summit, Missouri. Total coliform bacteria analysis was performed using the membrane-filtration method as described in 

the USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of WaterQuality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004). 

Cryptosporidium and Giardia samples from the Missouri River 

were collected in a 10-L (liter) cubitainer. Samples for 

Cryptosporidium and Giardia from wells were collected on an 

Envirocheck HV (TM) filter using a laboratory supplied filtering apparatus. Total culturable virus samples were collected 

using a laboratory supplied cartridge filter and filtering apparatus. Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable virus samples were chilled to 4 o

C and shipped on the day of sample collection to Environmental Health Laboratories (accredited by the 

National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference), South Bend, Indiana, for analysis. 

Samples for haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation 

potentials were collected in 1-L glass amber bottles, chilled to 

4 oC, and shipped on the day of sample collection to Environmental Health Laboratories for analysis. In the laboratory, samples analyzed for haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation 

potentials were dosed with chlorine, adjusted to a neutral pH, 

incubated for 7 days at 25 o

C, and analyzed at the end of the 

incubation period. Samples for organic wastewater compounds 

were filtered through a 0.45-μm glass fiber filter, collected in a 

1-L glass amber bottle that had been baked at 450 oC, chilled to 

4 o

C, and shipped on the day of sample collection to the NWQL.

Analytical results are presented using the laboratory minimum reporting level for all non-detect values. For statistical 

calculations, the laboratory reporting limit was used in place of 

non-detect values. This resulted in the smallest, most conservative estimate of bank-filtration removal rates. Analytical results 

from Missouri River water samples and Independence well 

water samples were compared using a Mann-Whitney test 

(Helsel and Hirsch, 1992). The null hypothesis was that there 

was no statistically significant difference between analytical 

results for water samples from the Missouri River and the Independence well field wells at a significance level of 0.05.
10 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Quality-Assurance Methods and Results

Quality-assurance/quality-control methodology included 

sequential replicate samples, field spikes, and sampling protocols outlined in the National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004). 

Sequential replicate samples are two complete samples collected one after the other, preserved, packed for shipping, analyzed identically, and used to assess sample-collection technique, sample processing, and laboratory analysis. Spiked 

samples were used to determine analyte recovery rates and degradation during shipping. 

Replicate samples for nutrients analysis were obtained for 

the Missouri River and for collector well 41 on March 30, 2004. 

Replicate samples for organic carbon were obtained for the 

Missouri River on October 29, 2003, and March 30, 2004, and 

for collector well 41 on November 19, 2003, and March 30, 

2004.

One sample spiked with Cryptosporidium oocysts and

Giardia cysts was prepared on February 24, 2004, using 

organic-free water and sent to the laboratory to assess recovery 

rates for this analysis. A 10-L sample was seeded with EasySeedTM, a 5-mL test-tube containing 100 Cryptosporidium

oocysts and 100 Giardia cysts in 1 mL of saline solution and 

provided by BTF Decisive Microbiology, Sydney, Australia. 

Results between samples and replicates are similar, and 

indicate that the sample-collection techniques and laboratory 

analyses were accurately representing concentrations in the 

river and wells (table 3). Recovery rates indicated by the spike 

sample were 6.7 oocysts/L (67 percent; oocysts per liter) for 

Cryptosporidium and 4.5 cysts/L (45 percent; cysts per liter) for 

Giardia. These rates are similar to other reported recovery rates 

for EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) method 1623 

(DiGiorgio and others, 2002).

Results of Analyses and Variability in 

Water Quality 

Water-quality changes in the Missouri River (with time 

and discharge) and in wells (with time) were determined from 

Missouri River samples near the Independence well field and 

from wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 (fig. 1). Many seasonal water-quality changes in the Missouri River are related to 

changes in discharge. Discharge at the USGS streamflow-gaging station at Kansas City (station number 06893000) and sample-collection dates for the Missouri River near the Independence well field are shown in figure 4. 

Results of analyses for dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity are listed in table 4 and are 

summarized in figure 5. Median values of dissolved oxygen, 

pH, and turbidity in Missouri River samples were substantially 

larger than in samples from wells 7 and 38 and collector well 

41. The median temperatures for samples from the Missouri 

River and the wells are similar, but the temperature range for 

Missouri River samples was larger than for the wells. Median 

values of specific conductance are slightly smaller for samples 

from the Missouri River than for samples from the wells. 

Changes in concentration of dissolved oxygen and values of 

physical properties in water samples from the Missouri River, 

wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time and in water 

samples from the Missouri River with discharge are shown in 

figure 6.

Table 3. Quality-assurance/quality-control sample results for water samples from the Missouri River, collector well 41, and a laboratory

spike sample.

[UV,ultraviolet;nm ,nanom eters;u/cm ,units percentim eter;m g/L,m illigram sperliter;N ,nitrogen;N O2,nitrite;N O3,nitrate;P,phosphorous;μg/L,m icrogram sperliter;oocysts/L,

oocysts perliter;cysts/L,cysts perliter;S,sam ple;--,no data;R,replicate;<,lessthan;U SG S,U .S.G eologicalSurvey;QA,quality assurance;SPIK E,laboratory spiked sam ple]

Dissolved 

UV Dissolved Dissolved Dissolved ortho- Dissolved Tannin

absorbance ammonia, NO2+NO3 nitrite, phosphorous, organic Chlorophyll a, and CryptoSample Sample 254 nm as N as N as N as P carbon phytoplankton lignin sporidium Giardia

date type u/cm (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (μg/L) (mg/L) (oocysts/L) (cysts/L)

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 S 0.056 -- -- -- -- 3.1 44 2.4 -- --

10/29/2003 R .064 -- -- -- -- 3 37 2.4 -- --

3/30/2004 S .120 0.02 2 0.04 0.09 4 <.1 4.1 -- --

3/30/2004 R .120 .02 2 .04 .09 4.3 <.1 4.5 -- --

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 S 0.064 -- -- -- -- 2.3 <.1 1.2 -- --

11/19/2003 R .065 -- -- -- -- 2.2 - 1.2 -- --

3/30/2004 S .060 0.09 1.6 0.01 0.01 2.4 <.1 1.2 -- -- 3/30/2004 R .059 .09 1.7 .01 <.01 2.4 <.1 1.1 -- --

USGS-Laboratory, Lee’s Summit, Missouri

10/30/2003 S 0.00 -- -- -- -- <.33 -- 0 -- -- 2/24/2004 SPIKE -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 16.7 24.5

1

67 percent recovery rate.

2

45 percent recovery rate.
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 11

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Discharge

Sample collection date

2003 2004

U.S. Geological Survey 

streamflow-gaging station

06893000

Figure 4. Missouri River sampling dates and discharge at Kansas City, Missouri, October 29, 2003, through 

August 31, 2004.

Table 4. Missouri River discharge, dissolved oxygen, and physical properties in water samples from the Missouri

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41.

[ft

3/s, cubic feet per second; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; oC, degrees Celsius;

NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; --, no data;]

Sample

date

Discharge

(ft

3

/s)

Dissolved oxygen

(mg/L)

pH

(standard units)

Specific conductance

(μS/cm at 25 oC)

 Water temperature

(oC)

Turbidity

(NTU)

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 33,900 10.5 8.5 740 15 42.0

12/17/2003 20,200 13 7.9 876 3.5 61.2

1/28/2004 22,600 12.9 8.5 859 0.5 18.3

2/24/2004 31,800 10.8 8.2 682 4 573.0

3/30/2004 61,200 7.2 7.8 562 14 1,006.0

4/27/2004 37,400 9.5 8.5 722 16.4 45.0

5/25/2004 99,600 3.94 7.8 622 22.5 1,625.0

6/30/2004 56,100 7 8.2 666 23 240

8/31/2004 43,600 6.3 8 613 26 130

Missouri River, south (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 33,900 9.9 8.5 745 15 --

Missouri River, north (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 33,900 10.2 8.5 746 14.5 --

Well 7 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 -- 0.3 7.4 731 24.5 6.7

12/17/2003 -- 1.01 7.4 727 22.9 -- 1/28/2004 -- 1.55 6.8 704 19.1 --

2/25/2004 -- 1.35 7.6 737 16.8 --

3/31/2004 -- -- 7.6 775 13.2 3.28

5/4/2004 -- -- 7.1 778 12.4 --

5/26/2004 -- 1.76 7.6 679 7.8 --

7/13/2004 -- 1.7 7.7 661 8.5 --

9/8/2004 -- 1 7.1 624 13.9 --

Well 38 (fig. 1)

11/5/2003 -- 0.96 7.1 726 15.1 7.06

12/17/2003 -- 0 7.5 734 13.9 --

1/28/2004 -- .09 7.5 721 14.3 --

2/25/2004 -- .11 7.6 713 -- --

3/31/2004 -- .05 7.6 707 17.2 12.1

5/4/2004 -- .3 7.2 776 18.4 --

5/26/2004 -- .2 7.6 692 16.8 -- 7/13/2004 -- 0 7.7 701 13.6 --

9/8/2004 -- 0 7.1 707 13.1 --
12 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Sample

date

Discharge

(ft

3

/s)

Dissolved oxygen

(mg/L)

pH

(standard units)

Specific conductance

(μS/cm at 25 oC)

 Water temperature

(oC)

Turbidity

(NTU)

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 -- 0.2 7.2 711 18.3 6.67

12/17/2003 -- .4 7.5 752 14.4 --

1/28/2004 -- .31 7.5 773 10.9 8

2/25/2004 -- .55 7.7 800 8.6 2

3/30/2004 -- 4.3 7.4 701 8.8 .81

5/4/2004 -- .3 7.1 723 14.6 .33

5/26/2004 -- .08 7.6 668 16.7 .6

7/13/2004 -- 0 7.6 622 21.6 --

9/8/2004 -- 0 7.3 613 23.5 2.2

Table 4. Missouri River discharge, dissolved oxygen, and physical properties in water samples from the Missouri

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41.—Continued

[ft

3

/s, cubic feet per second; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; oC, degrees Celsius;

NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; --, no data;]

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

(n=9) Number of measurements

0.3 0.1

1.4

9.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION,

 IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

n = 7

7.5 7.5 7.4

8.2

6

7

8

9

pH , IN STANDARD UNITS

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9 n = 9

680

730 710 710

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS

PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

14.7 14.6 13.9 15.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38

TEMPERATURE, IN DEGREES CELSIUS

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

AVERAGE = 5.0 AVERAGE = 9.6 2.0 130

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

COLLECTOR

WELL 41

TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC 

TURBIDITY UNITS

n = 9

n = 2 n = 2 n = 7

Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 milligram per liter Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 unit

Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 microsiemen per centimeter Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 degree Celsius

 at 25 degrees Celsius

Minimum reporting level equals 0 nephelometric turbidity unit EXPLANATION

Figure 5. Statistical summary of dissolved oxygen concentrations and selected physical properties in water samples from the Missouri 

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well field.
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 13

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

y = -0.0001x + 14.19

R2 = 0.82

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

MISSOURI RIVER

WELL 7

WELL 38

COLLECTOR WELL 41

EXPLANATION

6

7

8

9

6

7

8

9

500

600

700

800

900

y = -0.003x + 845.12

R2

 = 0.51

500

600

700

800

900

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

R2

 = 0.32

DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION,

 IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER pH , IN STANDARD UNITS

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS 

PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

2003 2004

Figure 6. Dissolved oxygen concentrations and values of physical properties in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge.
14 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0

300

600

900

1,200

1,500

1,800

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

y = 0.02x - 485.74

R2 = 0.77

0

300

600

900

1,200

1,500

1,800

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

R2 = 0.44

TEMPERATURE, IN DEGREES CELSIUS

MISSOURI RIVER TURBIDITY, 

IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS

GROUND-WATER TURBIDITY, 

IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS

TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC 

TURBIDITY UNITS

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

2003 2004

Figure 6. Dissolved oxygen concentrations and values of physical properties in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge—Continued.

The coefficient of determination (R2) for the relation 

between dissolved oxygen and discharge was 0.82, although the 

seasonality of dissolved oxygen primarily was caused by 

changes in water temperature and not discharge. Values for pH 

are fairly constant with time in samples from the Missouri River 

(fig. 6) and in samples from wells (table 4). All wells show similar patterns of increases and decreases of pH, except for the 

samples collected on January 28, 2004 (table 4), when the pH of 

the sample from well 7 was lower (6.8) than the pH in samples 

from well 38 and collector well 41 (both 7.5). Specific conductance values in Missouri River samples were inversely related 

to discharge (R2

 = 0.51). During low river stage much of the 

flow in the river is derived from upstream reservoir releases and 

base flow (inflow from ground water). This decrease in specific 

conductance during high discharge most likely was caused by 

mixing with rainfall and surface runoff having smaller specific 

conductance values. Specific conductance remained between 

613 and 800 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm) in water 

samples from wells (table 4). Water temperature in the Missouri 

River followed seasonal air temperatures. Water temperature in 

wells showed a similar pattern, but increases and decreases in 

temperature were shifted by time. The water temperature 

change in samples from wells was caused by river-water temperature changes lagged by the traveltime of ground water from 

the river to the pumping wells. Seasonal trends were observed 

in the turbidity in water samples from the Missouri River and 

collector well 41. The turbidity in the river was related positively to discharge, R2 = 0.77. This positive relation most likely 

was caused by the inflow of sediment and organic material during runoff events and may indicate that both suspended sediment concentration and turbidity might be estimated from discharge. Only two samples each for turbidity were collected 

from well 7 and well 38.

Organic material and organic indicators measured in water 

samples during this study include dissolved organic carbon 

(DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nanometers (nm) 

(UV254, used to indirectly measure the aromatic carbon content 

which is a precursor to disinfection by-product formation), specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA, UV254 divided by the dissolved organic carbon concentration and multiplied by 100), 

chlorophyll a, and tannin and lignin. Results of analyses for 

organic material and organic indicators are listed in table 5 and 

summarized in figure 7. Median values of DOC, UV254, chlorophyll a, and tannin and lignin are larger in samples from the 

Missouri River than in samples from wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 (fig. 7). The median for SUVA was slightly smaller 

in samples from the Missouri River than in samples from wells 

7 and 38 and collector well 41.

Levels of organic material and organic indicators in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector 

well 41 with time and in water samples from the Missouri River 

with discharge are shown in figure 8. Dissolved organic carbon 
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 15

Table 5. Organic material and organic indicators in water samples from the Missouri 

River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; nm, nanometers; u/cm, units per centimeter; μg/L, micrograms per liter;

--, no data; <, less than]

Dissolved Ultraviolet

organic absorbance Chlorophyll a,

carbon 254 nm phytoplankton, Tannin and lignin

Sample date (mg/L) (u/cm) (μg/L) (mg/L)

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 3.1 0.056 44 2.4

12/17/2003 2.9 .063 13 2.2

1/28/2004 3.6 .063 8.9 2.1

2/24/2004 3.9 .091 -- 3.5

3/30/2004 4.0 .120 <.1 4.1

4/27/2004 3.0 .068 -- 1.9

5/25/2004 3.2 .102 <.1 9.4

6/30/2004 3.8 .087 29 .6

8/31/2004 4.1 .108 -- --

Well 7 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 2.6 0.093 <0.1 1.5

12/17/2003 2.5 .101 -- --

1/28/2004 2.5 .055 -- --

2/25/2004 2.3 .052 -- --

3/31/2004 1.9 .039 <.1 1.5

5/4/2004 1.9 .046 -- 1.5

5/26/2004 1.6 .043 -- --

7/13/2004 2.3 .041 <.1 1.5

9/8/2004 2.5 .079 -- --

Well 38 (fig. 1)

11/5/2003 2.4 0.057 <0.1 2.0

12/17/2003 2.5 .102 -- --

1/28/2004 2.7 .056 -- --

2/25/2004 2.5 .058 -- --

3/31/2004 2.4 .060 <.1 2.1

5/4/2004 2.3 .057 -- 2.1

5/26/2004 2.0 .067 -- --

7/13/2004 2.8 .061 <.1 1.5

9/8/2004 2.5 .074 -- --

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 2.3 0.064 <0.1 1.2

12/17/2003 2.3 .075 <.1 1.1

1/28/2004 2.7 .047 <.1 1.4

2/25/2004 2.3 .056 -- 0.5

3/30/2004 2.4 .060 <.1 1.2

5/4/2004 2.1 .060 -- 1.4

5/26/2004 2.0 .054 <.1 1.0

7/13/2004 2.4 .058 <.1 .9

9/8/2004 2.4 .080 -- --

remained fairly constant [about 3 to 4 milligrams per liter 

(mg/L)] for all Missouri River samples, and were not closely 

related to discharge. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations in 

well samples remained fairly constant (between 1.6 and 2.8 

mg/L). The variation of SUVA in water samples from the Missouri River and wells was similar to the pattern for UV254. The 

R2 value for the relation between SUVA in water samples from 

the Missouri River and discharge was 0.70. Low chlorophyll a

most likely was caused by high turbidity that decreased algal 

growth. Chlorophyll a was undetected in all well samples. 

Tannin and lignin in water samples from the Missouri River 

were variable (between 0.6 and 9.4 mg/L; table 6). Tannin and 

lignin was constant in samples from well 7 (1.5 mg/L), and 

fairly constant in samples from well 38 (between 1.5 and 2.1 

mg/L) and in samples from collector well 41 (between 0.5 and 

1.4 mg/L; table 5). The R2

 value for the relation between tannin 

and lignin in water samples from the Missouri River and discharge was 0.62.

Nutrients measured in water samples during this study 

include dissolved ammonia-nitrogen (hereafter referred to as dissolved ammonia), dissolved nitrite-plus-nitrate-nitrogen (hereafter referred to as dissolved nitrite plus nitrate), dissolved nitritenitrogen (hereafter referred to as dissolved nitrite), and dissolved 

orthophosphorous-phosphorous (hereafter referred to as dissolved orthophosphorous). Dissolved nitrate was calculated by 

subtracting the dissolved nitrite concentration from the dissolved 

nitrite plus nitrate concentration for the same samples. Results of 

analyses for nutrients are listed in table 6 and summarized in figure 9. Median values for dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved 

nitrate, and dissolved orthophosphorous are highest for samples 

from the Missouri River. Median values of dissolved ammonia 

are highest for samples from well 38. Dissolved nitrite and dissolved nitrate were not detected in samples from wells 7 and 38.

Concentrations of selected nutrients in water samples from 

the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with 

time and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge are shown in figure 10. Dissolved ammonia ranged from 

0.02 to 0.35 mg/L in water samples from the Missouri River, 

from 0.05 to 0.07 mg/L in samples from well 7, from 0.19 to 

0.22 mg/L in samples from well 38, and from 0.06 to 0.10
16 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

2.3

2.5

2.3

3.6

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON, 

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9 n = 9 0.060 0.060

0.052

0.087

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AR 254 NANOMETERS, IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

2.7

2.5 2.4 2.3

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

 SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE UV254,

DIVIDED BY DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON 

 AND MULTIPLIED BY 100

n = 9 n = 9

n = 9

n = 9

 no 

detections

 no 

detections

 no 

detections 11.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38

CHLOROPHYLL a, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

n = 6

n = 3 n = 3 n = 6

1.2

2.1

1.5

2.3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

COLLECTOR

WELL 41

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

n = 8 n = 4 n = 4

n = 8

Minimum reporting level equals 0.33 milligram per liter Minimum reporting level equals 0.0035 units per centimeter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.1 milligram per liter

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

(n=9) Number of measurements

EXPLANATION

Figure 7. Statistical summary of selected organic material and organic indicators in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 

38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well field.

mg/L in samples from collector well 41. Dissolved nitrate 

values in water samples from the Missouri River ranged from 

0.62 to 2.48 mg/L and were related positively to discharge (R2

= 0.43). Dissolved nitrate was below detection in all six samples 

from wells 7 and 38, and ranged from 0.06 to 1.59 mg/L in 

water samples from collector well 41. Dissolved orthophosphorous values in water samples from the Missouri River ranged 

from 0.04 to 0.12 mg/L, from below detection to 0.03 mg/L in 

well 7, from below detection to 0.04 mg/l in samples from well 

38, and from below detection to 0.03 mg/L in samples from 

collector well 41. 

Results of analyses for total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses are listed in table 

7. The small number of detections of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Missouri River prevented a statistical summary calculation. Total coliform bacteria and total culturable viruses are 

summarized in figure 11. Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses are not uniformly 

distributed in river or ground water. The irregular distribution of 

these organisms in water may cause a negative result in a sample collected from one location, but a positive result in a sample 

from the same location at a slightly different time, or from 

another nearby location. The minimum reporting level for 

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable virus analyses 

changed based on the nature of the water sample. In samples 

from the Missouri River, larger turbidity values were associated 
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 17

1

2

3

4

5

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON,

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

2

1

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

y = 0.00002x + 1.64

R2

 = 0.70

1

2

3

4

5

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AT 254 NANOMETERS,

 IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

 SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE UV254, 

DIVIDED BY DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON 

 AND MULTIPLIED BY 100

R2 = 0.42

R2 = 0.01

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

2003 2004 DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER

WELL 7

WELL 38

COLLECTOR WELL 41

EXPLANATION

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 8. Organic material concentrations and values of organic indicators in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and 

collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge.
18 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

y = 0.0001x - 0.36

R2

 = 0.62

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

0

10

20

30

40

50

CHLOROPHYLL a, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

R2 = 0.16

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

2003 2004

Figure 8. Organic material concentrations and values of organic indicators in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and 

collector well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge—Continued.

Table 6. Nutrients in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41.

[N, nitrogen; mg/L, milligrams per liter; NO2, nitrite; NO3, nitrate; P, phosphorous; <, less than]

Dissolved Dissolved Dissolved 

ammonia, NO2+NO3, Dissolved Dissolved orthophosphorous. 

Sample as N as N NO2, as N NO3, as N as P

date (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

1/28/2004 0.35 0.97 0.020 0.95 0.12

2/24/2004 .21 1.4 .020 1.38 .07

3/30/2004 .02 2.0 .040 1.96 .09

4/27/2004 .08 .68 .010 .67 .04

5/25/2004 .08 2.2 .090 1.3 .07

6/30/2004 .03 2.5 .020 2.48 .12

8/31/2004 .12 .64 .020 .62 .11

Well 7 (fig. 1)

3/31/2004 0.07 <0.02 <0.010 <0.01 <0.01

5/4/2004 .06 <.02 <.010 <.01 <.01

5/26/2004 .06 <.02 <.010 <.01 <.01

7/13/2004 .05 <.02 <.010 <.01 .03

9/8/2004 .05 <.06 <.008 <.052 .02

Well 38 (fig. 1)

3/31/2004 0.22 <0.02 <0.010 <0.01 <0.01

5/4/2004 .20 <.02 <.010 <.01 <.01

5/26/2004 .20 <.02 <.010 <.01 <.01

7/13/2004 .22 <.02 <.010 <.01 .04

9/8/2004 .19 <.06 <.008 <.052 .03

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

1/28/2004 0.10 0.66 0.010 0.65 0.02

2/25/2004 .09 .7 <.010 .69 .01

3/30/2004 .09 1.6 .010 1.59 .01

5/4/2004 .07 .54 .020 .52 <.01

5/26/2004 .07 .7 .020 .68 <.01

7/13/2004 .08 .83 .030 .8 .03

9/8/2004 .06 .08 .019 .061 .02
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 19

0.08

0.20

0.06

0.08

0

0

0

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

DISSOLVED AMMONIA AS NITROGEN, 

 IN MILLIGRAM PER LITER

n = 7

n = 5

n = 5

n = 7

0.70

1.40

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

DISSOLVED NITRITE PLUS NITRATE AS NITROGEN, 

 IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

n = 7 n = 5 n = 5

n = 7

0.02 0.02

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38

DISSOLVED NITRITE AS NITROGEN, 

 IN MILLIGRAM PER LITER

n = 7

n = 5 n = 5

n = 7

0.01 0.01 0.01

0.09

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

COLLECTOR

WELL 41

DISSOLVED ORTHOPHOSPHORUS AS 

PHOSPHORUS IN MILLIGRAM PER LITER

n = 7

n = 5

n = 5

n = 7

1.38

0.68

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

DISSOLVED NITRATE AS NITROGEN, 

 IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

n = 7 n = 5 n = 5

n = 7

Minimum reporting level = 0.02 milligram per liter

Minimum reporting level = 0.05 milligram per liter

Minimum reporting level = 0.05 milligram per liter

Minimum reporting level = 0.01 milligram per liter

Minimum reporting level = 0.01 milligram per liter

no detections no detections

no detections no detections no detections no detections

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

(n=7) Number of measurements

EXPLANATION

Figure 9. Statistical summary of selected nutrients in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the 

Independence well field.

with larger minimum detection levels for Cryptosporidium and 

Giardia (tables 4 and 7). For Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and 

total culturable virus, the larger the volume of water sampled 

(up to the maximum for the analysis) reduced the minimum 

detection level; therefore, the minimum reporting level for one 

sample may be less than the minimum reporting level for 

another sample. 

Changes with time and discharge of total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in 

Missouri River water samples are shown in figure 12. Total 

coliform bacteria densities in water samples from the Missouri 

River ranged from 4,200 to 80,000 col/100 mL (colonies per 

100 milliliters). Cryptosporidium was detected only once in the 

Missouri River on August 31, 2004. Giardia was detected in 

four out of nine samples, and did not show any seasonal trends. 

Total culturable viruses in Missouri River water samples 

ranged from 6.02 to 48.6 MPN/L (most probable number per 

liter). No strong correlations were found between bacteria, 

protozoa, and viruses in water samples from the Missouri River 

and discharge, most likely because of the small data set. Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses were not detected in samples from 

wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41, indicating effective 

removal of these organisms by riverbank filtration.

Formation potentials for haloacetic acids and trihalomethane compounds were analyzed for six samples each from the 

Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 between 

October 29, 2003, and April 29, 2004. Haloacetic acid forma-
20 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

DISSOLVED AMMONIA AS NITROGEN, 

IN MILLIGRAM PER LITER

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0

0 0

0

20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

DISSOLVED NITRATE AS NITROGEN,

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

DISSOLVED ORTHOPHOSPHORUS AS PHOSPHORUS, 

IN MILLIGRAM PER LITER

ND NONDETECT

ND ND ND ND

ND ND

 ND 

(Wells 7, 38)

R2

 = 0.39

R2

 = 0.43

R2

 = 0.03

0

01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15 07/15 08/15 09/15

2004

MISSOURI RIVER

WELL 7

WELL 38

COLLECTOR WELL 41

EXPLANATION

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 10. Nutrient concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 with time, and in water 

samples from the Missouri River with discharge.
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 21

Table 7. Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in

water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41.

[col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts/L, oocysts per liter; MPN/100 L,

most probable number per 100 liters; <, less than; --, no data]

Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Total culturable virus,

Sample date col/100 mL oocysts/L cysts/L MPN/100 L

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003

12/17/2003

180,000 1

30,000

<0.095

<.091

0.19

.091

24.1

--

1/28/2004 37,000 <.091 .27 --

2/24/2004 52,000 <.76 <.76 44

3/30/2004 28,000 <.45 <.45 48.6

4/27/2004 46,000 <.093 .093 21

5/25/2004 -- <.55 <.55 6.02

6/30/2004 4,200 <.19 <.19 --

8/31/2004 -- .14 <.14 10.1

Well 7 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003

12/17/2003

10

10

<0.004

--

<0.004

--

<10

--

3/31/2004 -- <.002 <.002 <3.33

7/13/2004 -- <.003 <.003 <.11

9/8/2004 0 -- -- --

Well 38 (fig. 1)

11/5/2003

12/17/2003

10

1

0

<0.005

--

<0.005

--

<10

--

3/31/2004 -- <.009 <.009 <1

7/13/2004 -- <.002 <.002 <0.13

9/8/2004 0 -- -- --

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003

12/17/2003

1

0

10

<0.004

<.048

<0.004

<.048

<10

<10

1/28/2004 0 <.003 <.003 <10

2/25/2004 -- <.002 <.002 <10

3/30/2004 -- <.004 <.004 <1.61

5/4/2004 -- <.011 <.011 <1

5/26/2004 -- <.002 <.002 <1

7/13/2004 -- <.002 <.002 <.11

9/8/2004 0 <.002 <.002 <.1

1

Independence Water Department (written commun., 2004).

NO DETECTIONS NO DETECTIONS NO DETECTIONS

22.55

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

TOTAL CULTURABLE VIRUSES, 

IN MOST PROBABLE NUMBER PER 100 LITERS

n = 6

n = 3 n = 3 n = 9

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

(n=7) Number of measurements

EXPLANATION

37,000

NO DETECTIONS NO DETECTIONS NO DETECTIONS

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA, 

IN COLONIES PER 100 MILLILITERS

n = 7

n = 3 n = 3 n = 4

Variable minimum reporting level 

based on sample characteristics

Minimum reporting level less than 1 colony per 100 milliliter

Figure 11. Statistical summary of total coliform bacteria and total culturable virusesin water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 

38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well field.
22 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

0

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

GIARDIA, IN CYSTS PER LITER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

 TOTAL CULTURABLE VIRUSES, 

IN MOST PROBABLE NUMBER PER LITER

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

ND NONDETECT (VARIABLE DETECTION LIMIT PLOTTED)

EXPLANATION

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

 TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA, 

IN COLONIES PER 100 MILLILITERS

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

R2

 = 0.18

R2

 = 0.06

R2

 = 0.15

(calculated 

from 

detections)

10/29 11/29 12/29 01/29 02/29 03/29 04/29 05/29 06/29 07/29 08/29

2003 2004

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 12. Total coliform bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in water samples from the Missouri River with time and discharge.
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 23

tion potentials analyzed in water samples during this study 

include dibromoacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. 

Results of six analyses for haloacetic acid formation potentials 

are listed in table 8 and summarized in figure 13.

In water samples from the Missouri River, the dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid formation potentials are the 

largest components of total haloacetic acid formation potential; 

in water samples from the wells, dibromoacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid formation potentials are the largest components of 

total haloacetic acid formation. Median values of dibromoacetic 

acid formation potential are smaller for samples from the Missouri River than for samples from wells, but median values for 

dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and total haloacetic 

acid formation potentials are substantially larger for samples 

from the Missouri River than for samples from the wells. 

Median values for monobromoacetic acid and monochloroacetic acid formation potentials are slightly larger for samples from 

the Missouri River than for samples from the wells. Median values for each haloacetic acid formation potential are similar 

among wells. Total haloacetic acid formation potentials were 

substantially smaller in the wells than in the Missouri River.

Changes in haloacetic acid formation potential in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector 

well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River 

with discharge are shown in figure 14. In water samples from 

the Missouri River, the largest formation potentials for dibromoacetic acid and monobromoacetic acid occurred when formation potentials for dichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic 

acid, trichloroacetic acid, and total haloacetic acid were smallest. The largest formation potentials for dichloroacetic acid, 

monochloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and total haloacetic 

acid occurred when formation potentials for dibromoacetic acid 

and monobromoacetic acid were smallest. Formation potentials 

for dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and total haloacetic 

acid in water samples from the Missouri River was related positively to discharge (R2 = 0.72). Formation potentials for dibromoacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and 

total haloacetic acid remained fairly constant in water samples 

from wells. Changes in formation potential values for monobromoacetic acid and monochloroacetic acid in water samples 

from wells were similar to changes in values in water samples 

from the Missouri River.

Table 8. Haloacetic acid formation potentials in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and

collector well 41.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than]

1

Formation potentials, in μg/L

Total

Sample Dibromoacetic Dichloroacetic Monobromoacetic Monochloroacetic Trichloroacetic haloacetic

date acid acid acid acid acid acids

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 3.9 130 2.2 8.2 150 294

12/17/2003 17 41 3.7 6.2 38 106

1/28/2004 26 31 5.1 9.3 17 88.4

2/24/2004 1.5 420 1.2 23 620 1,066

3/30/2004 5.0 620 3.4 24 970 1,622

4/27/2004 5.9 140 2.8 9.8 170 329

Well 7 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 12 19 1.7 6.5 16 55.2

12/17/2003 12 14 1.8 5.2 11 44.0

1/28/2004 16 9.8 2.4 6.9 4.4 39.5

2/25/2004 19 9.2 1.1 12 3.3 44.6

3/31/2004 20 6.7 2.4 <2.0 2.1 31.2

5/26/2004 21 7.4 2.7 <2.0 2 33.1

Well 38 (fig. 1)

11/5/2003 12 21 1.4 9.6 12 56.0

12/17/2003 14 15 2 5.5 9.9 46.4

1/28/2004 13 18 2.2 8.2 11 52.4

2/25/2004 15 19 <1.0 11 10 55.0

3/31/2004 15 22 1.9 <2.0 13 51.9

5/4/2004 22 12 2.8 <2.0 4.6 41.4

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 14 12 1.9 5.5 7.3 40.7

12/17/2003 16 9 2.4 4.8 4.2 36.4

1/28/2004 18 8 1.9 4 2.6 34.5

2/25/2004 20 8.1 1.1 12 2.8 44.0

3/30/2004 22 12 2.9 <2.0 5.3 42.2

5/4/2004 16 15 2.1 2.1 9.1 44.3

1Samples analyzed for haloacetic acid formation potentials are dosed with chlorine, adjusted to a neutral pH, incubated for 7 days at

25 degrees Celsius, and analyzed for haloacetic acids at the end of the incubation period.
24 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

17

15

18

5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

DIBROMOACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

135

10 19 11

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2 2 2

3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

MONOBROMOACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

10

6

7

4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

4 11 5

160

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

COLLECTOR

WELL 41

TRICHLOROACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

311

42 52 41

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38

Minimum reporting level equals 1.0 microgram per liter Minimum reporting level equals 1.0 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 1.0 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 1.0 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 2.0 micrograms per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 2.0 micrograms per liter

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

EXPLANATION DICHLOROACETIC ACID, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER MONOCHLOROACETIC ACID, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER TOTAL HALOACETIC ACID, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 13. Statistical summary of haloacetic acid formation potentials in six water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and 

collector well 41 of the Independence well field.
Results of Analyses and Variability in Water Quality 25

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

DIBROMOACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

DICHLOROACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

MONOBROMOACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

y = 0.014x - 243.88

R2

 = 0.72

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

R2

 = 0.34

R2 = 0.04

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15

2003 2004

MISSOURI RIVER

WELL 7

WELL 38

COLLECTOR WELL 41

EXPLANATION

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 14. Haloacetic acid formation potential concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 

with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge.
26 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

TRICHLOROACETIC ACID,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

TOTAL HALOACETIC ACIDS,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

y = 0.02x - 438.24

R2

 = 0.72

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

y = 0.04x - 654.88

R2

 = 0.72

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

MONOCHLOROACETIC ACID,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

 ND 

(Well 38) ND ND

R2 = 0.48

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15

2003 2004

Figure 14. Haloacetic acid formation potential concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 

with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge—Continued.

Trihalomethane formation potentials measured in water 

samples during this study include bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform, and dibromochloromethane. Results of 

analyses for trihalomethane formation potentials are listed in 

table 9 and summarized in figure 15.

Bromodichloromethane and chloroform formation potentials are the largest components of total trihalomethane formation potential in water samples from the Missouri River, 

whereas bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane 

formation potentials are the largest components in water samples from the wells. The median value for bromodichloromethane formation potential was larger for samples from the 

Missouri River than for samples from the wells. Median values 

of bromoform and dibromochloromethane formation potentials 

are smaller for samples from the Missouri River than for samples from wells, but median values for chloroform and total trihalomethane formation potentials are substantially larger for 

samples from the Missouri River than for samples from the 

wells. Median values for each trihalomethane formation potential have only minor variations among wells.
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 27

Table 9. Trihalomethane formation potentials in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and 

collector well 41.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than]

Sample

1

Formation potentials, in μg/L

Total

date Bromodichloromethane Bromoform Chloroform Dibromochloromethane trihalomethanes

Missouri River, middle (fig. 1)

10/29/2003 58 0.9 190 15 264

12/17/2003 100 14 85 73 272

1/28/2004 130 62 49 160 401

2/24/2004 58 <.5 530 6.1 594

3/30/2004 120 .9 620 22 763

4/27/2004 50 1.7 120 20 192

Well 7 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 50 8.2 39 45 142

12/17/2003 53 13 28 48 142

1/28/2004 51 34 16 71 172

2/25/2004 40 38 12 70 160

3/31/2004 29 50 6.8 67 153

5/26/2004 34 47 7.6 73 162

Well 38 (fig. 1)

11/5/2003 69 18 44 65 196

12/17/2003 57 17 28 57 159

1/28/2004 66 18 37 59 180

2/25/2004 61 19 36 65 181

3/31/2004 55 15 34 58 162

5/4/2004 46 43 14 85 188

Collector well 41 (fig. 1)

11/19/2003 45 16 23 61 145

12/17/2003 41 29 13 61 144

1/28/2004 45 50 11 80 186

2/25/2004 40 50 9.9 85 185

3/30/2004 54 38 18 86 196

5/4/2004 53 17 26 59 155

1

Samples analyzed for trihalomethane formation potentials are dosed with chlorine, adjusted to a neutral pH, incubated for 7 

days at 25 degrees Celsius, and analyzed for trihalomethanes at the end of the incubation period.

Changes in trihalomethane formation potential in water 

samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector 

well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River 

with discharge are shown in figure 16. Chloroform formation 

potential in water samples from the Missouri River was related 

positively to discharge (R2 = 0.56). Formation potentials for 

bromodichloromethane, chloroform, dibromochloromethane, 

and total trihalomethanes are more variable in water samples 

from the Missouri River than in water samples from wells, but 

the variability of formation potentials for bromoform was similar between water samples from the Missouri River and wells.

Water-Quality Changes Caused by 

Riverbank Filtration Between the 

Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 

The change in source-water quality caused by riverbank 

filtration to the Independence well field was determined by 

comparing the values of physical properties, organic material, 

organic indicators, nutrients, total coliform bacteria, 

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, total culturable viruses, and disinfection by-product formation potentials in water samples from 

the Missouri River to the values in water samples from wells 7 

and 38 and collector well 41. The median value and the change 

in median values between Missouri River water samples, water 

samples from wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41 are listed in 

table 10. The conservative assumption of using the minimum 

reporting level for analytical results below detection rather than 

zero was used to calculate the change in median concentration 

between river samples and well samples if results of analyses 

were below the detection limit. For Cryptosporidium and Giardia, detections in water samples from the Missouri River were 

too few to calculate a representative median value, but nondetect values in water samples from wells were smaller and 

more uniform. Analytical results in water samples from the 

Missouri River and water samples from all wells were compared to determine if differences in median values between 

Missouri River samples and well samples were greater than 

would be expected by chance. The Mann-Whitney rank-sum 

test results indicate the medians were statistically different for 

all constituents except for specific conductance, temperature, 

SUVA, and dissolved ammonia.

Median values of total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses decreased substantially between the Missouri River and wells. Concentrations of 
28 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

bacteria, protozoa, and viruses were below the detection limit in 

all water samples from the wells; however, if the amount of 

change between water samples from the Missouri River and 

water samples from the wells was calculated using the minimum reporting level for each analysis below detection, total 

coliform bacteria decreased 100 percent, Cryptosporidium

decreased between 96 and 98 percent, Giardia decrease 

between 97 and 98 percent, and total culturable viruses 

decreased between 85 and 96 percent. The percent reduction of 

total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses between water samples from the Missouri River 

and all three wells would be 100 percent if non-detections were 

set equal to zero.

Decreases in turbidity, total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses from source water 

through a water-treatment process commonly are expressed in 

terms of log removal. The log removal for turbidity was 1.60. 

Turbidity levels are associated with the presence of particulates 

and colloids in water, and when these are present, microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses also may be 

present; however, turbidity in well water may be caused by precipitation of dissolved iron in the sample or other processes in 

79

45

59

45

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

BROMODICHLOROMETHANE,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

34

18

36

1 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

BROMOFORM, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

155

14 35 16 0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

CHLOROFORM, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

71 62 69

21

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38 COLLECTOR

WELL 41

COLLECTOR

WELL 41

DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

337

156

181 170

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

MISSOURI RIVER WELL 7 WELL 38

TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANE,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Minimum reporting level equals 0.5 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.5 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.5 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.5 microgram per liter

Minimum reporting level equals 0.5 microgram per liter

Maximum

Minimum

0.96 Median

75th percentile

25th percentile

EXPLANATION

Figure 15. Statistical summary of trihalomethane formation potential concentrations in six water samples from the Missouri River, wells 

7 and 38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well field.
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 29

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

BROMODICHLOROMETHANE,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

BROMOFORM, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

CHLOROFORM, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

y = 0.01x - 168.80

R2

 = 0.56

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

R2

 = 0.26

R2

 = 0.005

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15

2003 2004

MISSOURI RIVER

WELL 7

WELL 38

COLLECTOR WELL 41

EXPLANATION

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 16. Trihalomethane formation potential concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector well 

41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge.
30 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

the well. If this occurs, the actual log removal of particulates 

and colloids by riverbank filtration may be larger than indicated 

because the turbidity measured in water samples from the wells 

is not related to turbidity in the Missouri River. Log removals 

were calculated for total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, 

Giardia, and total culturable viruses. Median values were calculated from detections in Missouri River samples for total 

coliform bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable viruses, but the 

value was used instead of a median value for the one detection 

of Cryptosporidium in the Missouri River water samples. 

Median values for well samples were calculated using the minimum reporting level because all analytical results were below 

detection. The log removal for total coliform bacteria was 

greater than 4.57. This value was determined from five water 

samples from the Missouri River and four water samples from 

the wells. Large concentrations of total coliform bacteria were 

detected in all Missouri River samples, but not detected in any 

water samples from the wells; the minimum reporting level used 

for the calculations was 1 col/100 mL. Log removal was greater 

than 1.67 for Cryptosporidium, and was greater than 1.67 for 

Giardia. Neither was detected in samples from the wells. 

Cryptosporidium was detected in one of nine samples, and Giardia was detected in four of nine samples from the Missouri 

River. Total culturable viruses were not detected in any samples 

from the wells but were detected in all six samples from the 

Missouri River. Log removal for total culturable virus was 

greater than 1.15. Because no total coliform bacteria, 

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, or total culturable viruses were 

detected in water samples from the wells, a conservative estimate of log removals between the Missouri River and wells was 

made by using the minimum reporting level for non detects 

rather than zero. Actual log removals of these organisms were 

greater. The effect on calculated log removals using one-half 

and one-tenth of the minimum reporting level was to increase 

the reported log removals for each microbial pathogen (fig. 17). 

Water-Quality Changes Between the Missouri River 

and Three Pumping Wells Based on Estimated 

Ground-Water Traveltimes

A comparison of river-water temperature changes with 

ground-water temperature changes (fig. 6) provides an estimate 

of the traveltime of water from the river to the pumping wells. 

Other studies have used temperature changes to characterize the 

interaction between surface water and ground water, and to estimate traveltime with some success (Hunt and others, 2005, 

Stonestrom and Constanz, 2003). More accurate estimates of 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES,

 IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES MISSOURI RIVER SAMPLES

R2 = 0.41

R2

 = 0.29

10/15 11/15 12/15 01/15 02/15 03/15 04/15 05/15 06/15

2003 2004

Figure 16. Trihalomethane formation potential concentrations in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, and collector 

well 41 with time, and in water samples from the Missouri River with discharge—Continued.
Table 10. Median values and change in median values in water quality of water samples between the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38, collector well [MRL, minimum reporting level; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; UV254, ultraviol

u/cm, units per centimeter; --, no data; SUVA, specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nanometers; μg/L, micrograms per liter; N, nitrogen; <, less than; P, phosphorous; col/10colonies per 100 milliliters; oocysts/L, oocysts per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter]

Percent change in medi

Median value Missouri River 

Units MRL Missouri River Well 7 Well 38 Collector Well 41 All Wells Well 7 Well 38 W

Dissolved oxygen and physical properties

Dissolved oxygen mg/L 0.1 9.5 1.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 -86 -99 pH .1 8.2 7.4 7.5 7.5 7.5 -10 -9 Specific conductance μS/cm .1 682 727 713 711 713 7 5 

Temperature oC .1 15.0 13.9 14.7 14.6 14.5 -7 -2 

Turbidity NTU na 130 5.0 9.6 2.0 3.3 -96 -93 

Organic material and organic indicators

Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 0.33 3.6 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.4 -36 -31 UV254 u/cm .0035 0.09 0.05 .06 .06 0.06 -40 -31 SUVA -- 2.29 2.42 2.48 2.70 2.50 6 8 Chlorophyll a μg/L .1 11.0 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 -99 -99 Tannin and lignin mg/L .1 2.3 1.5 2.1 1.2 1.5 -35 -11 

Nutrients, dissolved

Dissolved ammonia as N mg/L 0.02 0.08 0.06 0.20 0.08 0.08 -25 150 Dissolved nitrite as N mg/L .01 .02 <.01 <.01 .02 .01 -50 -50 Dissolved nitrate as N mg/L .05 1.38 <.01 <.01 .68 .05 -99 -99 Dissolved orthophosphorous as P mg/L .01 .09 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 -89 -89 

Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses

Total coliform bacteria col/100 mL 0 37,000 0 0 0 0 -100 -100 Cryptosporidium oocysts/L -- .14 <.003 <.005 <.003 <.003 -98 -96 Giardia cysts/L -- .14 <.003 <.005 <.003 <.003 -98 -96 Total culturable virus MPN/L -- 22.55 <3.33 <1.00 <1.61 <1.61 -85 -96 

Haloacetic acid formation potentials

Dibromoacetic acid μg/L 1.0 5 18 15 17 16 221 166 Dichloroacetic acid μg/L 1.0 135 10 19 11 12 -93 -86 Monobromoacetic acid μg/L 1.0 3 2 2 2 2 -32 -37 Monochloroacetic acid μg/L 1.0 10 6 7 4 4 -39 -28 Trichloroacetic acid μg/L 1.0 160 4 11 5 6 -98 -93 Total Haloacetic acids μg/L 1.0 311 42 52 41 44 -87 -83 

Trihalomethane formation potentials

Bromodichloromethane μg/L 0.5 79 45 59 45 51 -43 -25 Bromoform μg/L .5 1 36 18 34 24 2,669 1,285 Chloroform μg/L .5 155 14 35 16 21 -91 -77 Dibromochloromethane μg/L .5 21 69 62 71 65 226 195 Total trihalomethanes μg/L .5 337 156 181 170 162 -54 -46 
32 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

4.57

1.67 1.67

1.15

1.60

4.87

1.85 1.85

1.45

5.57

2.67 2.67

2.15

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

TURBIDITY TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA CRYPTOSPORIDIUM GIARDIA TOTAL CULTURABLE VIRUS

MEDIAN LOG REMOVAL BETWEEN MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES

Minimum reporting level

One-half of minimum reporting level

One-tenth of minimum reporting level

Figure 17. Median log removals of turbidity, total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable 

viruses calculated using the minimum reporting level, one-half the minimum reporting level, and one-tenth the minimum 

reporting level between water samples from the Missouri River and water samples from wells.

traveltime using temperature are made when ground-water flow 

is relatively rapid and heat is transported by advective groundwater flow (and not conductance or convection), as is the case 

for ground-water flow rates in the Missouri River alluvial aquifer. 

The lowest Missouri River water temperature (0.5 oC) was 

recorded on January 28, 2004. Lowest water temperature for 

well 7 (7.8 oC) was recorded on May 26, 2004, for well 38 (13.1 oC) on September 8, 2004, and for collector well 41 (8.6 oC) on 

February 25, 2004. Approximate traveltimes from the river to 

the wells based on water temperature profiles were 4 months for 

well 7, 7 to 9 months for well 38, and 1 month for collector well 

41. More accurate estimates of ground-water traveltimes also 

could be made with more frequent temperature measurement in 

the river and wells. Temperature signatures in the Missouri 

River and collector well 41 have been previously documented 

(Camp, Dresser, and McKee, Inc., 2000). Estimated traveltimes 

from the river to collector well 41 ranged from 15 to 30 days for 

temperature peaks, and from 30 to 60 days for temperature 

lows. The difference in traveltime was attributed to lower water 

viscosity at higher temperatures, and higher water viscosity at 

lower temperatures. 

An estimate of average ground-water flow velocity 

between the Missouri River bed and the screened interval of 

each well was made using distances from the south bank and 

from the deep channel of the Missouri River to the midpoint of 

the screened interval and the estimated traveltimes determined 

from temperature profiles measured for this report. Well depths, 

screened intervals, and distances from the Missouri River south 

bank and deep channel to the midpoint of the screened interval 

(wells 7 and 38) or the top tier of lateral screens (collector well 

41), are listed in table 11.

Table 11. Well depths, screened intervals, and distance

wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41.

from the Missouri River to screened intervals of

[--, not applicable]

Well 7 Well 38 Collector well 41

Well depth, in feet

Top of screened interval,

altitude, in feet, NGVD88

Bottom of screened interval,

altitude, in feet, NGVD88

Diagonal distance from the south bank of the Missouri River down to

midpoint of screened interval, in feet

Diagonal distance from the deep channel of the Missouri River down to 

midpoint of screened interval, in feet

Vertical distance from the south bank of the Missouri River to top tier of

lateral screens, in feet Vertical distance from the deep channel of the Missouri River to top tier of

lateral screens, in feet

90

610

660

144

804

--

--

84

666

636

496

1,182

--

--

123

614

(top tier of lateral screens)

611

(bottom tier of lateral screens)

--

--

84

71
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 33

The average rate of ground-water flow from the south bank 

of the Missouri River to the screened interval of well 7 was 1.2 

ft/day (feet per day) and from the deep channel of the Missouri 

River to the screened interval was 6.7 ft/day. The rate of 

ground-water flow from the south bank of the Missouri River to 

the screened interval of well 38 was 1.8 ft/day, and from the 

deep channel of the Missouri River to the screened interval was 

4.3 ft/day. The rate of ground-water flow from the south bank 

of the Missouri River to the screened interval of collector well 

41 was 2.8 ft/day, and from the deep channel of the Missouri 

River to the screened interval was 2.4 ft/day. These rates are 

somewhat less than rates typical of slow sand filters (6.5 to 16.5 

ft/day) (Wang and others, 2002). Slower flow rates result in 

greater filtration, and indicate riverbank filtration at this site 

may be comparable to, or more effective than, a slow sand filter.

Samples from the Missouri River were compared to samples collected from wells at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River to each well. Water-quality 

changes between samples from the Missouri River and samples 

collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the 

Missouri River to wells 7 and 38 and collector well 41 are listed 

in table 12. There is no clear relation between water-quality 

changes and traveltime from the Missouri River to wells 7 and 

38 and collector well 41, although the temperature trend 

between the Missouri River and wells indicate the movement of 

water. The absence of any trends in water quality between the 

Missouri River and the pumping wells indicates the strong 

influence of riverbank filtration. The largest changes to water 

quality between the river and wells most likely occurred within 

the first several feet of the Missouri River bed (Wang and others, 2002). With continued movement into the aquifer, river 

water mixes with ground water and further changes water quality. 

Log removals based on minimum reporting levels were 

calculated for turbidity, total coliform bacteria, Giardia, and 

total culturable viruses between samples from the Missouri 

River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River to wells 7 and 38 and collector 

well 41 (table 12). Log removals for Cryptosporidium were not 

included because it was detected only once at the end of the 

sampling period, and no corresponding well samples were collected. Because the minimum reporting level was used rather 

than zero for non detections, the range of log removals calculated (fig. 18) are minimum log removals. Minimum log removals in water samples based on ground-water traveltime between 

the Missouri River and wells are infinite for total coliform bacteria, and range from 0.8 to 3.5 for turbidity, 1.5 to 2.1 for Giardia, and 0.4 to 2.6 for total culturable viruses.

Disinfection By-Product Formation Potentials and 

Organic Material, Organic Indicators, and Turbidity 

Changes of haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation 

potentials in water samples from the Missouri River and wells 

were compared to determine their relation to changes in organic 

0

1

2

3

4

TURBIDITY TOTAL

COLIFORM 

BACTERIA 

GIARDIA TOTAL 

CULTURABLE 

VIRUSES

MINIMUM LOG REMOVAL BETWEEN 

MISSOURI RIVER AND WELL SAMPLES

100 percent

removal equals

infinite log removal

for total coliform bacteria

Figure 18. Minimum log removals of turbidity, total coliform 

bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable viruses in water samples 

from all wells based on ground-water traveltime between the 

Missouri River and wells.

material, organic indicators, and turbidity. Haloacetic acid formation potential in water samples from the Missouri River and 

all wells are plotted in relation to DOC, UV254, SUVA, tannin 

and lignin, and turbidity in figure 19. Ultraviolet absorption at 

254 nanometers (R2

 = 0.94), tannin and lignin (R2 = 0.93), and 

turbidity (R2 = 0.97) were the best predictors of haloacetic acid 

formation potential for water samples from the Missouri River. 

None of the variables were reliable predictors of haloacetic acid 

formation potential for water samples from all wells. 

Trihalomethane formation potential in water samples from 

the Missouri River and all wells are plotted in relation to DOC, 

UV254, SUVA, tannin and lignin, and turbidity in figure 20. 

DOC (R2

 = 0.89), UV254 (R2 = 0.85), tannin and lignin (R2 = 

0.90), and turbidity (R2 = 0.89) were the best predictors of trihalomethane formation potential and SUVA was related positively, but less so (R2

 = 0.51). None of the variables were reliable predictors for trihalomethane formation potential in water 

samples from all wells. 

Cross-Sectional Distribution of Selected Compounds 

and Properties in the Missouri River

Because most wells of the Independence well field are near 

the bank and a large part of total well field pumpage is induced 

from the Missouri River, contaminants in the river could result 

in a higher risk of contamination of the well field. The crosssectional distributions of specific conductance and organic 

wastewater compounds in the Missouri River near the Independence well field were determined to assess the influence of 

point sources of wastewater along the Missouri River just 

upstream from the Independence well field. 
Table 12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River collector well 41. [=, equals; mg/L, milligrams per Liter; --, no data; na, not applicable; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; nm, nanom

per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts./L oocysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; INF, infinite log removal too larg

Well 38 (Ground-water traveltime from Well 7 Missouri River = 270 Collector well 

(Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 120 days) days) (Ground-water traveltime from Mis

Oct Oct Dec Dec Jan Feb Apr Oct Dec Oct Dec Jan Feb 

Missouri River 29 29 17 17 28 24 27 29 17 29 17 28 24 

sample date 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 

Feb Mar Mar May May Jul Sep Jul Sep Nov Jan Feb Mar 

25 31 31 4 26 13 8 13 8 19 28 25 30 

Well sample date 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004 2004 2004 

Days between samples 119 154 105 139 119 140 134 258 266 21 42 28 35 

Dissolved oxygen, in mg/L River 10.5 -- 13 13 12.9 10.8 9.5 10.5 13 10.5 13 12.9 10.8 

Well 1.4 -- -- -- 1.8 1.7 1 0 0 0.2 0.3 0.6 4.3 Change -9.2 -- -- -- -11.1 -9.1 -8.5 -10.5 -13 -10.3 -12.7 -12.4 -6.5 Percent change -87.1 -- -- -- -86.4 -84.3 -89.5 -100 -100 -98.1 -97.6 -95.7 -60.2 

pH River 8.5 8.5 7.9 7.9 8.5 8.2 8.5 8.5 7.9 8.5 7.9 8.5 8.2 

Well 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.1 7.6 7.7 7.1 7.7 7.1 7.2 7.5 7.7 7.4 Change -0.9 -0.9 -0.3 -0.8 -0.9 -0.5 -1.4 -0.8 -0.8 -1.3 -.4 -.8 -0.8 

Specific conductance, in μS/cm River 740 740 876 876 859 682 722 740 876 740 876 859 682 

Well 737 775 775 778 679 661 624 701 707 711 773 800 701 Change -3 35 -101 -98 -180 -21 -98 -39 -169 -29 -103 -59 19 Percent change -.4 4.7 -11.5 -11.2 -21.0 -3.1 -13.6 -5.3 -19.3 -3.9 -11.8 -6.9 2.8 

Temperature, in oC River 15 15 3.5 3.5 .5 4 16.4 15 3.5 15 3.5 .5 4 

Well 16.8 13.2 13.2 12.4 7.8 8.5 13.9 13.6 13.1 18.3 10.9 8.6 8.8 Change 1.8 -1.8 9.7 8.9 7.3 4.5 -2.5 -1.4 9.6 3.3 7.4 8.1 4.8 Percent change 12.0 -12.0 277 254 1,460 112 -15.2 -9.3 274 22.0 211 1,620 120 
Well 7 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 120 days) Well 38 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 270 days) Collector well 

(Ground-water traveltime from Mis

Missouri River sample date Oct 29 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 Apr 27 2004 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 

Well sample date Feb 25 2004 Mar 31 2004 Mar 31 2004 May 4 2004 May 26 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Nov 19 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 25 2004 Mar 30 2004 

Days between samples 119 154 105 139 119 140 134 258 266 21 42 28 35 

Turbidity, in NTU River -- 42 61.2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 42 61.2 18.3 573 

Well -- 3.3 3.3 -- -- -- -- -- -- 6.7 8 2 .8 Change -- -38.7 -57.9 -- -- -- -- -- -- -35.3 -53.2 -16.3 -572.2 Percent change -- -92.1 -94.6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -84.1 -86.9 -89.1 -99.9 Log Removal -- 1.1 1.3 -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.8 0.9 1.0 2.8 

Dissolved organic carbon, in mg/L River 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.9 3.6 3.9 3 3.1 2.9 3.1 2.9 3.6 3.9 

Well 2.3 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.6 2.3 2.5 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.3 2.4 Change -.8 -1.2 -1 -1 -2 -1.6 -0.5 -.3 -.4 -.8 -.2 -1.3 -1.5 Percent change -25.8 -38.7 -34.5 -34.5 -55.6 -41.0 -16.7 -9.7 -13.8 -25.8 -6.9 -36.1 -38.5 

Ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm River 0.056 -- 0.63 0.063 0.063 0.091 0.068 0.056 0.063 0.056 0.063 0.063 0.091 

Well .052 -- .039 .046 .043 .041 .079 .061 .074 .064 .047 .056 .06 Change -.004 -- -.591 -.017 -.02 -.05 .011 .005 .011 .008 -.016 -.007 -.031 Percent change -7.1 -- -93.8 -27.0 -31.7 -54.9 16.2 8.9 17.5 14.3 -25.4 -11.1 -34.1 

Specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm River 1.81 1.81 2.17 2.17 1.75 2.33 2.27 1.81 2.17 1.81 2.17 1.75 2.33 

Well 2.26 2.05 2.05 2.42 2.69 1.78 3.16 2.18 2.96 2.78 1.74 2.43 2.50 Change .45 .24 -.12 .25 .94 -.55 .89 .37 .79 .98 -.43 .68 .17 Percent change 25.2 13.3 -5.5 11.5 53.6 -23.6 39.4 20.6 36.3 54.0 -19.9 39.1 7.1 Table 12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River collector well 41.—Continued[=, equals; mg/L, milligrams per Liter; --, no data; na, not applicable; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; nm, nanom

per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts./L oocysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; INF, infinite log removal too larg
Well 7 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 120 days) Well 38 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 270 days) Collector well 

(Ground-water traveltime from Mis

Missouri River sample date Oct 29 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 Apr 27 2004 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 

Well sample date Feb 25 2004 Mar 31 2004 Mar 31 2004 May 4 2004 May 26 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Nov 19 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 25 2004 Mar 30 2004 

Days between samples 119 154 105 139 119 140 134 258 266 21 42 28 35 

Chlorophyll a, in μg/L River -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 44 -- 44 13 -- -- 

Well -- -- -- -- -- -- -- .1 -- .1 .1 -- -- Change -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -43.9 -- -43.9 -12.9 -- -- Percent change -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -99.8 -- -99.8 -99.2 -- -- 

Tannin and lignin, in mg/L River -- 2.4 2.2 2.2 -- 3.5 -- 2.4 -- 2.4 2.2 2.1 3.5 

Well -- 1.5 1.5 1.5 -- 1.5 -- 1.5 -- 1.2 1.4 .5 1.2 Change -- -.9 -.7 -.7 -- -2 -- -.9 -- -1.2 -.8 -1.6 -2.3 Percent change -- -38 -32 -32 -- -57 -- -38 -- -50 -36 -76 -66 

Dissolved ammonia, in mg/L River -- -- -- -- 0.35 0.21 0.08 -- -- -- -- 0.35 0.21 

Well -- -- -- -- .06 .05 .05 -- -- -- -- .09 .09 Change -- -- -- -- -.29 -.16 -.03 -- -- -- -- -.26 -.12 Percent change -- -- -- -- -83 -76 -38 -- -- -- -- -74 -57 

Dissolved nitrite + nitrate, in mg/L River -- -- -- -- 0.97 1.4 0.68 -- -- -- -- 0.97 1.4 

Well -- -- -- -- .02 .02 .06 -- -- -- -- .7 1.6 Change -- -- -- -- -.95 -1.38 -.62 -- -- -- -- -.27 .2 Percent change -- -- -- -- -98 -99 -91 -- -- -- -- -28 14 Table 12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River collector well 41.—Continued [=, equals; mg/L, milligrams per Liter; --, no data; na, not applicable; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; nm, nanom

per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts./L oocysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; INF, infinite log removal too larg
Well 7 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 120 days) Well 38 (Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 270 days) Collector well 

(Ground-water traveltime from Mis

Missouri River sample date Oct 29 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 Apr 27 2004 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Oct 29 2003 Dec 17 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 24 2004 

Well sample date Feb 25 2004 Mar 31 2004 Mar 31 2004 May 4 2004 May 26 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Jul 13 2004 Sep8 2004 Nov 19 2003 Jan 28 2004 Feb 25 2004 Mar 30 2004 

Days between samples 119 154 105 139 119 140 134 258 266 21 42 28 35 

Dissolved orthophosphate, in mg/L River -- -- -- -- -- 0.07 0.04 -- -- -- -- 0.12 0.07 

Well -- -- -- -- -- .03 .02 -- -- -- -- .01 .01 Change -- -- -- -- -- -.04 -.02 -- -- -- -- -.11 -.06 Percent change -- -- -- -- -- -57 -50 -- -- -- -- -92 -86 

Giardia, in cysts/L River -- -- 0.091 -- -- -- -- 0.19 -- 0.19 0.091 0.27 -- 

Well -- -- .002 -- -- -- -- .002 -- .004 .003 .002 -- Change -- -- -.089 -- -- -- -- -.188 -- -.186 -.088 -.268 -- Percent change -- -- -97.8 -- -- -- -- -98.9 -- -97.9 -96.7 -99.3 -- Log Removal -- -- 1.7 -- -- -- -- 2.0 -- 1.7 1.5 2.1 -- 

Total culturable virus, in MPN/L River 24.1 -- -- -- -- 44 -- 24.1 -- 24.1 -- -- 44 

Well 3.33 -- -- -- -- .11 -- .13 -- 10 -- -- 1.61 Change -20.77 -- -- -- -- -43.89 -- -23.97 -- -14.1 -- -- -42.39 Percent change -86.2 -- -- -- -- -99.8 -- -99.5 -- -58.5 -- -- -96.3 Log Removal 0.9 -- -- -- -- 2.6 -- 2.3 -- 0.4 -- -- 1.4 

Total coliform, bacteria, in col/100 mL River -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 80,000 30,000 -- -- 

Well -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0 0 -- -- Change -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -80,000 -30,000 -- -- Percent change -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -100 -100 -- -- Log Removal -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- INF INF -- -- Table 12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River collector well 41.—Continued[=, equals; mg/L, milligrams per Liter; --, no data; na, not applicable; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; nm, nanom

per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts./L oocysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; INF, infinite log removal too larg
Table 12. Water quality of samples from the Missouri River and samples collected at times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River collector well 41.—Continued [=, equals; mg/L, milligrams per Liter; --, no data; na, not applicable; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; oC, degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; nm, nanom

per liter; cysts/L, cysts per liter; oocysts./L oocysts per liter; MPN/L, most probable number per liter; col/100 mL, colonies per 100 milliliters; INF, infinite log removal too larg

Well 38 (Ground-water traveltime from Well 7 Missouri River = 270 Collector well 

(Ground-water traveltime from Missouri River = 120 days) days) (Ground-water traveltime from Mis

Oct Oct Dec Dec Jan Feb Apr Oct Dec Oct Dec Jan Feb 

Missouri River 29 29 17 17 28 24 27 29 17 29 17 28 24 

sample date 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 

Feb Mar Mar May May Jul Sep Jul Sep Nov Jan Feb Mar 

25 31 31 4 26 13 8 13 8 19 28 25 30 

Well sample date 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004 2004 2004 

Days between samples 119 154 105 139 119 140 134 258 266 21 42 28 35 

Total trihalomethane formation potential, in μg/L River 263.9 263.9 272 -- 401 -- -- -- -- 263.9 272 401 594.1 

Well 160 152.8 152.8 -- 161.6 -- -- -- -- 145 186 184.9 196 Change -103.9 -111.1 -119.2 -- -239.4 -- -- -- -- -118.9 -86 -216.1 -398.1 Percent change -39.4 -42.1 -43.8 -- -59.7 -- -- -- -- -45.1 -31.6 -53.9 -67.0 

Total haloacetic acid formation potential, in μg/L River 294.3 294.3 105.9 -- 88.4 -- -- -- -- 294.3 105.9 88.4 1,065.7 

Well 44.6 31.2 31.2 -- 33.1 -- -- -- -- 40.7 34.5 44 42.2 Change -249.7 -263.1 -74.7 -- -55.3 -- -- -- -- -253.6 -71.4 -44.4 -1,023.5 -Percent change -84.8 -89.4 -70.5 -- -62.6 -- -- -- -- -86.2 -67.4 -50.2 -96.0 
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 39

y = 1038.8x - 2965.1

R2 = 0.64

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

012345

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

y = 24811x - 1322.1

R2 = 0.94

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

0 0.05 0.10 0.15

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AT 254 NANOMETERS,

 IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

y = 1206.9x - 2096.8

R2 = 0.77

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

012345

SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE

y = 676.86x - 1243.3

R2 = 0.93

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

012345

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

012345

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 0.05 0.10 0.15

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AT 254 NANOMETERS, 

IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

012345

SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

012345

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

TOTAL HALOACETIC ACID FORMATION POTENTIAL, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

MISSOURI RIVER ALL WELLS

y = 1.4972x + 148.64

R2 = 0.97

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

R2= 0.30

R2 = 0.13

R2 = 0.03

R2 = 0.11

R2 = 0.15

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS

Figure 19. Organic material, organic indicators, turbidity, and total haloacetic acid formation potential in water samples from the 

Missouri River and all wells.
40 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

y = 436.91x - 1078.5

R2 = 0.89

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

012345

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

y = 8397.6x - 230.95

R2 = 0.85

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

0 0.05 0.10 0.15

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AT 254 NANOMETERS, 

IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

y = 350.94x - 365.34

R2 = 0.51

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

012345

SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE

y = 237.11x - 225.93

R2 = 0.90

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

012345

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0

50

100

150

200

250

012345

DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 0.05 0.10 0.15

ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE AT 254 NANOMETERS, 

IN UNITS PER CENTIMETER

0

50

100

150

200

250

012345

SPECIFIC ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBANCE

0

50

100

150

200

250

012345

TANNIN AND LIGNIN, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANE FORMATION POTENTIAL, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

MISSOURI RIVER ALL WELLS

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

y = 0.5098x + 265.95

R2 = 0.89

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200

R2 = 0.05

R2 = 0.22

R2 = 0.37

R2 = 0.02

R2 = 0.09

TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS TURBIDITY, IN NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS

NOTE: Trend lines not plotted for

correlation coefficient (R2) less than 0.5

Figure 20. Organic material, organic indicators, turbidity, and total haloacetic acid formation potential in water samples from 

the Missouri River and all wells.
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 41

Organic wastewater compounds analyzed in samples collected from three points in a cross section of the Missouri River 

at Independence (south, middle, and north), from wells 7 and 38, 

and collector well 41 are listed in table 1. Although organic 

wastewater compounds were detected in the Missouri River and 

all sampled wells (table 13), the only compound with a quantified 

detection was phenol [1.8 μg/L (micrograms per liter)] in well 7. 

For all other detections, the result was estimated (usually because 

concentrations were below the laboratory reporting limit) or the 

presence of the compound was verified, but not quantified by the 

laboratory. The small concentrations of organic wastewater compounds detected in the samples are interpreted in this report, but 

conclusions should be considered preliminary. 

The organic wastewater compounds 4-nonylphenol, caffeine, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), diethoxynonylphenol, ethoxyoctylphenol, and metolachlor were detected in three 

samples of the Missouri River collected on October 29, 2003. The 

sample sites were near the south bank, the middle, and the north 

bank of the Missouri River near the Independence well field (fig. 

1). All organic wastewater compounds in Missouri River samples 

were detected at values less than the minimum reporting level; 

however, detections of some organic wastewater compounds were 

provided with an estimate of the concentration by the laboratory. 

Other organic wastewater compounds were identified in these 

samples, but their concentrations were not able to be estimated. 

Estimated values for caffeine, diethoxynonylphenol, and 

metolachlor were larger near the south bank. Estimated values 

for para-nonylphenol, and caffeine were larger in the middle 

than near the north bank. The larger number of detections (table 

13) near the south bank (6 detections) compared to the number 

of detections at the middle and north bank sites (4 detections 

each), combined with the larger estimated values for the south 

bank site, indicate that Missouri River water quality on the 

south side of the river probably was only moderately influenced 

by the south bank inflows to the river just upstream from the 

Independence well field (fig. 2). 

On August 8, 9, and 10, 2005, dissolved oxygen, specific 

conductance, temperature, and turbidity were measured at depths 

less than 2 ft in the Missouri River just upstream and adjacent to 

the Independence well field using a boat and a multi-parameter 

water-quality meter. Data from more than 4,280 locations were 

interpolated to produce maps showing the distribution of dissolved oxygen (fig. 21), specific conductance (fig. 22), temperature (fig. 23), and turbidity (fig. 24). Because the data were collected during 3 days and the value of each of these constituents 

changed constantly in the Missouri River, the interpolated maps 

contain abrupt changes in concentration or value at the interface 

between data collected on different days; however, the relative 

cross-sectional distribution of each constituent shown for each 

day’s data can be compared to assess their overall pattern of distribution in the Missouri River. Dissolved oxygen (fig. 21) was 

smallest along the south bank of the Missouri River from the 

mouth of the Blue River downstream to the Independence well 

field. The smaller dissolved oxygen concentrations along the 

south bank may be caused by larger amounts of organic material 

supplied by south bank inflows from the sewage-treatment plants 

(figs. 2 and 21). In contrast to dissolved oxygen in the Missouri 

River, specific conductance remained largest along the south bank 

of the river (fig. 22). This most likely occurred because high-flow 

velocity in the center of the channel prevented south bank inflows 

from mixing across the channel in the Missouri River. Areas of 

relatively high specific conductance are located at the outfalls 

from the sewage-treatment plants, the mouth of the Blue River, 

along the south bank of the Missouri River, and the former oil 

refinery (figs. 2 and 22) indicating these inflows to the river may 

be at least moderately affecting the spatial distribution of riverwater quality near the well field. Water temperature (fig. 23) was 

highest along the south bank of the Missouri River and was lowest 

near the center of the river. Along the reach of the Missouri River 

adjacent to the Independence well field, the shallowest water also 

was located on the south bank where daytime heating and less 

mixing with colder deeper river water most likely was responsible 

for the higher water temperature. Turbidity (fig. 24) was largest in 

the middle of the river and smallest near the banks of the river. 

This distribution most likely was the result of water velocity and 

turbulent flow in the river. Water velocity is higher in the center of 

the river and more sediments are suspended in the water column 

there than in the shallow low-velocity water near the banks of the 

river. The distribution of turbidity did not seem to be affected by 

local inflows to the Missouri River in this reach.

Table 13. Dissolved organic wastewater compounds detected in water samples from the Missouri River, wells 7 and 38,

and collector well 41.

[--, not detected; all values in micrograms per liter; M, presence of material verified but not quantified; E, estimated value]

Site name

Missouri River,

south

Missouri River, 

middle

Missouri River, 

north Well 7 Well 38 Collector well 41

Sample date 10/29/2003 10/29/2003 10/29/2003 11/19/2003 11/5/2003 11/19/2003

Analyte

1,4-Dichlorobenzenene -- -- -- M -- M

4-Nonylphenol E 1 E 1 -- -- -- --

Acetophenone -- -- -- E.2 E.1 E.2

AHTN -- -- -- M -- -- Caffeine E.4 E.2 M M -- --

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) E.1 -- -- E.1 -- --

Diethoxy-nonylphenol E 3 E 2 E 2 -- -- -- Ethoxy-octylphenol M -- M -- -- --

Metolachlor E.2 E.1 E.1 M -- E.1

p-Cresol -- -- -- M -- --

Phenol -- -- -- 1.8 E.2 -- Tributyl phosphate -- -- -- E.1 -- --

Triphenyl phosphate -- -- -- M -- --

Tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate -- -- -- E.2 -- --

NUMBER OF DETECTIONS 6 4 4 11 2 3
42 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Independence

well field

Data collected 

August 8, 2005

Data collected 

August 9, 2005

Data collected 

August 10, 2005

Blue River

EXPLANATION

94°30' 94°29' 94°28' 94°27' 94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23'

39°07'

39°08'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

Independence water-supply well

Dissolved oxygen concentration, in milligrams per liter;

 <, Less than

8.5 to <9.0

8.0 to <8.5

7.5 to <8.0

7.0 to <7.5

6.5 to <7.0

6.0 to <6.5

<6.0

0 0.5 1 MILE

0 1 KILOMETER

Sewage 

treatment 

plant

Sewage 

treatment 

plant

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

Figure 21. Dissolved oxygen concentration in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, August 2005.
Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells 43

Data collected 

August 8, 2005

Data collected 

August 9, 2005

Data collected 

August 10, 2005

94°30' 94°29' 94°28' 94°27' 94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23'

39°07'

39°08'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

Independence water-supply well

Specific conductance value, in microsiemens 

 per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius;

 <, Less than

840 to <860

820 to <840

800 to <820

780 to <800

760 to <780

740 to <760

720 to <740

710 to <720

Sewage

treatment 

plant

Sewage

treatment 

plant

Former

oil 

refinery

0 0.5 1 MILE

0 1 KILOMETER

Independence

well field

Blue River

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

Figure 22. Specific conductance values in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, August 2005.
44 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Data collected 

August 8, 2005

Data collected 

August 9, 2005

Data collected 

August 10, 2005

94°30' 94°29' 94°28' 94°27' 94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23'

39°07'

39°08'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

Independence water-supply well

Temperature, in degrees Celsius;

 <, Less than

31.0 to <31.5

30.5 to <31.0

30.0 to <30.5

29.5 to <30.0

29.0 to <29.5

28.5 to <29.0

28.0 to <28.5

<28.0

EXPLANATION

0 0.5 1 MILE

0 1 KILOMETER

Blue River

Sewage

treatment 

plant

Sewage

treatment 

plant

Independence

well field

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

Figure 23. Water temperature in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, August 2005.
45 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Data collected 

August 8, 2005

Data collected 

August 9, 2005

Data collected 

August 10, 2005

94°30' 94°29' 94°28' 94°27' 94°26' 94°25' 94°24' 94°23'

39°07'

39°08'

39°09'

39°10'

39°11'

Turbidity, in nephelometric turbidity units;

 <, Less than

80 to <110

70 to <80

60 to <70

50 to <60

40 to <50

30 to <40

20 to <30

2 to <20

0 0.5 1 MILE

0 1 KILOMETER

Independence water-supply well

Independence

well field

Blue River

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital orthophoto quadrangle, 1:24,000, 1996

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 15

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)

Figure 24. Turbidity values in the Missouri River near the Independence well field, August 2005.
46 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Summary and Conclusions

Riverbank filtration is the filtering of river water intended 

for public-water supply through alluvial deposits using infiltration galleries, pumping wells located near rivers, or horizontal 

collector wells located beneath rivers. Processes that occur during riverbank filtration include mechanical filtration, adsorption, biodegradation, ion exchange, and chemical reactions. 

Changes in water quality in the Missouri River with time 

and discharge and in wells with time were determined from 

samples of the Missouri River near the Independence well field 

and from wells 7 and 38, and collector well 41. Median values 

of dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, DOC, UV254, chlorophyll 

a, tannin and lignin, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved 

nitrate, and dissolved orthophosphorous in Missouri River samples were larger than in samples from wells. Median specific 

conductance and SUVA values were slightly smaller for samples from the Missouri River than for samples from wells. Total 

coliform bacteria was detected in all water samples from the 

Missouri River, Cryptosporidium was detected only once in the 

Missouri River, Giardia was detected in four out of nine samples, and total culturable viruses were detected in all Missouri 

River water samples. No strong correlations were present 

between bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in water samples from 

the Missouri River and discharge, most likely because of the 

small data set. Total haloacetic acid formation potentials were 

substantially larger in samples from the Missouri River than for 

samples from the wells, and were related positively to discharge 

(R2 = 0.72). Total trihalomethane formation potentials were 

substantially larger in samples from the Missouri River than in 

samples from the wells.

Median values of total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total culturable viruses decreased substantially between the Missouri River and wells, and were below the 

detection limit in all water samples from the wells. Total 

coliform bacteria decreased 100 percent, Cryptosporidium

decreased between 96 and 100 percent, Giardia decrease 

between 97 and 100 percent, and total culturable viruses 

decreased between 85 and 100 percent. 

The log removal for turbidity was 1.60. Turbidity in well 

water may be caused by precipitation of dissolved iron in the 

sample or other processes in the well. Actual log removal of 

particulates and colloids by riverbank filtration may be larger 

than indicated if turbidity measured in water samples from the 

wells is not related to turbidity in the Missouri River. The log 

removal for total coliform bacteria was greater than 4.57. Large 

concentrations of total coliform bacteria were detected in all 

Missouri River samples, but not detected in any water samples 

from the wells. Log removal for Cryptosporidium was greater 

than 1.67, and for Giardia was greater than 1.67; neither was 

detected in samples from the wells. Log removal for total culturable virus was greater than 1.15. Total culturable viruses 

were not detected in any samples from the wells, but were 

detected in all six samples from the Missouri River. 

A comparison of river-water temperature changes with 

ground-water temperature changes was used to estimate the 

traveltime of water from the river to the pumping wells. 

Approximate traveltimes from the river to the wells based on 

water temperature profiles were 4 months for well 7, 7 to 9 

months for well 38, and 1 month for collector well 41. Average 

ground-water flow velocity between the Missouri River bed and 

the screened interval of each well was estimated using distances 

between the Missouri River and the midpoint of the screened 

interval and the estimated traveltimes. The rate of ground-water 

flow from the Missouri River to the wells ranged from 1.2 to 6.7 

feet per day. These rates are less than rates typical of slow sand 

filters. Slower flow rates result in greater filtration, and indicate 

riverbank filtration at this site may be comparable to or more 

effective than a slow sand filter. Water-quality changes between 

samples from the Missouri River and well samples collected at 

times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River 

to wells indicate no clear relation between water-quality 

changes in the Missouri River and in wells for almost all constituents, although the temperature trend between the Missouri 

River and wells indicate the movement of water. The absence of 

any water-quality trends between the Missouri River and the 

pumping wells indicates the strong influence of riverbank 

filtration. 

Minimum log removals were calculated for turbidity, total 

coliform bacteria, Giardia, and total culturable viruses between 

samples from the Missouri River and well samples collected at 

times that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri River 

to wells. Log removals for Cryptosporidium were not included 

because it was detected only once at the end of the sampling 

period, and no corresponding well samples were collected. 

Minimum log removals were infinite for total coliform bacteria, 

and ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 for turbidity, from 1.5 to 2.1 for Giardia, and from 0.4 to 2.6 for total culturable viruses.

Haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation potentials in 

water samples from the Missouri River and wells were compared to determine their relation to changes in organic material, 

organic indicators, and turbidity. ultraviolet absorption at 254 

nanometers (R2

 = 0.94), tannin and lignin (R2 = 0.93), and turbidity (R2

 = 0.97) were the best predictors of haloacetic acid 

formation potential for water samples from the Missouri River. 

None of the variables were reliable predictors of haloacetic acid 

formation potential for water samples from all wells. For water 

samples from the Missouri River, DOC (R2

 = 0.89), ultraviolet 

absorption at 254 nanometers (R2

 = 0.85), tannin and lignin (R2

= 0.90), and turbidity (R2

 = 0.89) were the best predictors of trihalomethane formation potential. None of the variables were 

reliable predictors for trihalomethane formation potential in 

water samples from all wells. 

The cross-sectional distributions of specific conductance 

and organic wastewater compounds in the Missouri River near 

the Independence well field were determined to assess the influence of wastewater point sources along the Missouri River just 

upstream from the Independence well field. The larger number 

of detections (6) near the south bank compared to the number of 

detections at the middle and north bank sites (4 each), combined 
References 47

with the larger estimated values for the south bank site indicate 

that Missouri River water quality on the south side of the river 

probably was only moderately influenced by the south bank 

inflows to the river just upstream from the Independence well 

field. 

Dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, temperature, and 

turbidity were measured at 4,280 locations in the Missouri 

River just upstream from and adjacent to the Independence well 

field. The smaller dissolved oxygen concentrations along the 

south bank may have been caused by larger amounts of organic 

material supplied by south bank inflows from the sewage-treatment plants. In contrast to dissolved oxygen in the Missouri 

River, specific conductance remained largest along the south 

bank of the river. This most likely occurred because high flow 

velocity in the center of the channel prevented south bank 

inflows from mixing across the channel in the Missouri River. 

Areas of relatively high specific conductance are located at the 

outfalls from the sewage-treatment plants, the mouth of the 

Blue River, along the south bank of the Missouri River, and the 

former oil refinery indicating these inflows to the river may be 

at least moderately affecting the spatial distribution of riverwater quality near the well field. The distribution of water temperature and turbidity did not seem to be affected by local 

inflows to the Missouri River in this reach.

Results from this study indicate riverbank filtration generally decreased the concentration of most water-quality constituents as water traveled between the Missouri River and wells of 

the city of Independence, Missouri, well field. 

The conclusions from this study are:

• Median values of almost all constituents decreased as 

water traveled between the Missouri River, wells 7 and 

38, and collector well 41 of the Independence well 

field. 

• Approximate ground-water traveltimes from the river 

to the wells, based on water temperature profiles, are 

less than rates typical of slow sand filters, and indicate 

riverbank filtration at this site may be comparable to or 

more effective than a slow sand filter.

• Water-quality changes between samples from the Missouri River and samples collected from wells at times 

that approximated the traveltime from the Missouri 

River to wells indicate no clear relation between 

changes in water quality in the Missouri River and in 

wells for almost all constituents. The absence of any 

trends in water quality between the Missouri River and 

the pumping wells indicates the strong influence of 

riverbank filtration.

• Total coliform bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, 

and total culturable viruses were detected in samples 

from the Missouri River, but were undetected in all 

samples from wells indicating effective removal of 

these organisms by riverbank filtration. 

• Haloacetic acid formation potential changes in water 

samples from the Missouri River were related to 

changes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet 

absorption at 254 nanometers (UV254), ultraviolet 

absorption UV254 divided by the dissolved organic 

carbon concentration and multiplied by 100 (SUVA), 

tannin and lignin, and turbidity. Trihalomethane formation potential changes in water samples from the Missouri River were related to DOC, UV254, tannin and 

lignin, and turbidity. These surrogate constituents and 

properties likely would be good indicators of haloacetic 

acid and trihalomethane formation potentials in water 

from the Missouri River. Haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation potentials were not related to any of 

these constituents or properties in water samples from 

wells. 

• Results of analyses for organic wastewater compounds 

and the distribution of dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, and temperature indicate that Missouri River 

water quality on the south side of the river probably 

was moderately influenced by the south bank inflows to 

the river just upstream from the Independence well 

field. 

References

Brenton, R.W., and Arnett, T.L., 1993, Methods of analysis by 

the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory—Determination of dissolved organic carbon by uv-promoted persulfate oxidation and infrared spectrometry: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 92–480, 12 p.

Britton, L.J., and Greeson, P.E., eds., 1987, Methods for collection and analysis of aquatic biological and microbiological 

samples: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of WaterResources Investigations, book 5, chap. A4, p. 223–225

Camp, Dresser, and McKee, Inc., December 2000, City of Independence, Missouri Water Department, Comprehensive 

Master Plan, Water Supply, Treatment and Distribution 

System Facilities: Kansas City, Missouri.

DiGiorgio, C.L., Gonzalez, D.A., and Huitt, C.C., 2002, 

Cryptosporidium and Giardia Recoveries in Natural Waters 

by Using Environmental Protection Agency Method 1623: 

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 68, no. 12, 

p. 5,952–5,955.

Fishman, M.J., 1993, Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory—Determination of inorganic and organic constituents in water and fluvial 

sediments: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 93–

125, 217 p.

Fishman, M.J., and Friedman, L.C., 1989, Methods for determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of WaterResources Investigations, book 5, chap. A1, 545 p.

Helsel, D.R., and Hirsch, R.M., 1992, Statistical methods in 

water resources: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of 

Water Resources Investigations, book 4, chap. A3, 450 p.
48 Water-Quality Changes Caused by Riverbank Filtration Between the Missouri River and Three Pumping Wells

Hunt, R.J., Coplen, T.B., Haas, N.L., Saad, D.A., and Borchardt, M.A., 2005, Investigating surface water-well interaction using stable isotope ratios of water: Journal of Hydrology, v. 302, no. 1–4, p. 154–172.

Kelly, B.P., 1996, Simulation of ground-water flow and contributing recharge areas in the Missouri River alluvial aquifer 

at Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96–4250, 

93 p.

———2002, Ground-water flow simulation and chemical and 

isotopic mixing equation analysis to determine the contribution of the Missouri River to the city of Independence, Missouri well field: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 02–4208, 53 p.

Kelly, B.P., and Blevins, D.W., 1995, Vertical hydraulic conductivity of soil and potentiometric surface of the Missouri 

River alluvial aquifer at Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas—August 1992 and January 1993: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 95–322, 19 p.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 2003, Code of State 

Regulations, Contaminant levels and monitoring: Jefferson 

City, Public Drinking Water Program, 31 p.

Nikolaou, A.D., Kostopoulou, M.N., and Lekkas, T.D., 1999, 

Organic by-products of drinking water chlorination: Global 

Nest: The International Journal. v. 1, no. 3, p. 143–156.

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edition, 1998: American Public Health Association, 

1015 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Stonestrom, D.A., and Constanz, J., ed., 2003, Heat as a tool for 

studying the movement of ground water near streams: U.S. 

Geological Survey Circular 1260, 96 p.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995a, Haloacetic 

acids and dalapon by liquid-liquid extraction, derivatization 

and GC with electron capture detector, publication no. EPA/

600/R-95-131. Government Printing Office, Washington, 

D.C.

———1995b, Purgeable organic compounds by capillary 

column GC/Mass spectrometry, publication no. EPA/600/R95-131. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

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