Prepared in cooperation with the 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, 

New York, 2010

Open-File Report 2012–1135

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Cover. Middle Falls of the Genesee River, Letchworth State Park, New York. (Photograph by Nancy Reddy, 2001)
Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, 

New York, 2010

By James E. Reddy

Prepared in cooperation with the 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Open-File Report 2012–1135

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012

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Suggested citation:

Reddy, J.E., 2012, Groundwater quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2012–1135, 29 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1135/.
iii

Contents

Conversion Factors, Datum, and Abbreviations .......................................................................................v

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

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

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

Study Area..............................................................................................................................................2

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................2

Groundwater Quality .....................................................................................................................................4

Physiochemical Properties .................................................................................................................4

Major Ions..............................................................................................................................................5

Nutrients and Organic Carbon............................................................................................................6

Trace Elements and Radionuclides....................................................................................................6

Pesticides...............................................................................................................................................8

Volatile Organic Compounds...............................................................................................................8

Bacteria..................................................................................................................................................8

Wells Sampled in 2005–2006 and 2010 ..............................................................................................8

Summary..........................................................................................................................................................8

References Cited............................................................................................................................................9

Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................................11

Tables 1–1 through 1–13 .............................................................................................................................12

Figures

1 Map showing pertinent geographic features of study area in the Genesee River

Basin, New York, and locations of the 16 wells sampled in 2010. .......................................3

Tables

1. Previous groundwater studies and reports..............................................................................2

2. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions

in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010 ..........................5

3. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in

groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010 ..............................6

4. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace

elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Genesee River

Basin, New York, 2010..................................................................................................................7

1–1. Information on wells sampled in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010....................12

1–2. Compounds for which groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New

York, were analyzed but not detected, 2010...........................................................................13

1–3. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin,

New York, 2010 ............................................................................................................................15

1–4. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples from the Genesee River

Basin, New York, 2010................................................................................................................16
iv

1–5. Concentrations of nutrients and total organic carbon in groundwater samples from

the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010..............................................................................18

1–6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples from

the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010..............................................................................19

1–7. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples from the Genesee

River Basin, New York, 2010......................................................................................................22

1–8. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples from the

Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.....................................................................................23

1–9. Concentrations of bacteria in unfiltered groundwater samples from the Genesee

River Basin, New York, 2010......................................................................................................24

1–10. Physiochemical properties of and concentrations of major ions, nutrients and total

organic carbon, and bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee

River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010...........................................................................25

1–11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples

collected in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010.............................26

1–12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee

River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010...........................................................................27

1–13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in

the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010...................................................29
v

Conversion Factors, Datum, and Abbreviations

Inch/Pound to SI

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

Area

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume

million gallons (Mgal) 3,785 cubic meter (m3)

Flow rate

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

gallon per day (gal/d) 0.003785 cubic meter per day (m3/d)

million gallons per day (Mgal/d) 0.04381 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

inch per year (in/yr) 25.4 millimeter per year (mm/yr)

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

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

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

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 29).

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

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).

Laboratory reporting level (LRL)—Generally equal to twice the yearly determined long-term 

method detection level (LT–MDL). The LRL controls false negative error. The probability of 

falsely reporting a nondetection for a sample that contained an analyte at a concentration 

equal to or greater than the LRL is predicted to be less than or equal to 1 percent. The value of 

the LRL will be reported with a “less than” remark code for samples in which the analyte was 

not detected. The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory collects qualitycontrol data from selected analytical methods on a continuing basis to determine LT–MDLs and 

to establish LRLs. These values are reevaluated annually based on the most current qualitycontrol data, and, therefore, may change (Childress and others, 1999).
vi

Abbreviations

AMCL Alternative maximum contaminant level

CFCL USGS Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory

CFU/mL Colony forming units per milliliter

LRL Laboratory reporting level

MCL Maximum contaminant level

NWQL USGS National Water Quality Laboratory

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYSDOH New York State Department of Health

QC Quality control

SDWS Secondary drinking-water standards

THM Trihalomethane

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC Volatile organic compound

Other abbreviations in this report:

μm micrometer

μg/L micrograms per liter

mg/L milligrams per liter

μS/cm microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius

Pt-Co units platinum-cobalt units

pCi/L picocuries per liter
Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin,

New York, 2010

By James E. Reddy

Abstract

Water samples collected from eight production wells 

and eight private residential wells in the Genesee River Basin 

from September through December 2010 were analyzed to 

characterize the groundwater quality in the basin. Eight of 

the wells were completed in sand and gravel aquifers, and 

eight were finished in bedrock aquifers. Three of the 16 wells 

were sampled in the first Genesee River Basin study during 

2005–2006. Water samples from the 2010 study were analyzed for 147 physiochemical properties and constituents that 

included major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radionuclides, 

pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and indicator 

bacteria. Results of the water-quality analyses are presented in 

tabular form for individual wells, and summary statistics for 

specific constituents are presented by aquifer type. The results 

are compared with Federal and New York State drinking-water 

standards, which typically are identical. The results indicate 

that groundwater generally is of acceptable quality, although 

concentrations of the following constituents exceeded current or proposed Federal or New York State drinking-water 

standards at each of the 16 wells sampled: color (one sample), 

sodium (three samples), sulfate (three samples), total dissolved solids (four samples), aluminum (one sample), arsenic 

(two samples), copper (one sample), iron (nine samples), 

manganese (eight samples), radon-222 (nine samples), and 

total coliform bacteria (six samples). Existing drinking-water 

standards for pH, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, antimony, 

barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, zinc, gross alpha radioactivity, uranium, 

fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and heterotrophic bacteria 

were not exceeded in any of the samples collected. None of 

the pesticides and VOCs analyzed exceeded existing drinkingwater standards.

Introduction

Section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 requires that States monitor and report biennially on the chemical quality of surface water and groundwater 

within State boundaries (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1997). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2002, 

in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), developed a program 

to evaluate groundwater quality throughout the major river 

basins in New York on a rotating basis. The program parallels 

the NYSDEC Rotating Intensive Basin Study program, which 

evaluates surface-water quality in 2 or 3 of the 14 major river 

basins in the State each year. The groundwater-quality program began in 2002 with a pilot study in the Mohawk River 

Basin and has continued throughout upstate New York since 

then (table 1). Sampling completed in 2008 represented the 

conclusion of a first round of groundwater-quality sampling 

throughout New York State (excluding Long Island, which 

is monitored through local county programs). Groundwaterquality sampling was conducted in 2010 in the Delaware, St. 

Lawrence, and Genesee River Basins; these basins also were 

sampled in 2005–2006 as part of this program. This report 

presents the results of the 2010 groundwater study in the Genesee River Basin in west-central New York.

Groundwater characteristics are affected by the geology 

and the land use of the area. Shallow wells that tap sand and 

gravel aquifers are susceptible to contamination by several 

kinds of compounds, including deicing chemicals, nutrients, 

pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 

agricultural, industrial, residential areas, and upgradient highways. The movement of these contaminants to the water table 

through the soils and surficial sand and gravel can be relatively 

rapid. Bedrock wells that tap into sandstone and shale aquifers 

in rural upland areas generally are less susceptible to contamination from industrial and urban sources, which are mainly 

in the valleys; but bedrock wells in lowland areas underlain 

by carbonate bedrock (limestone and dolostone) may be more 

vulnerable to contamination from surface runoff because 

infiltration rates and groundwater flow can be relatively rapid 

through bedrock solution features. Agricultural land upgradient of wells may be a potential source of contamination from 

fecal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides, from livestock; lawns 

and residential septic systems also are a potential source of 

these contaminants. In addition to anthropogenic contaminants, the aquifers contain naturally derived constituents that 

may diminish water quality, such as arsenic, chloride, hydrogen sulfide, iron, manganese, methane, radon gases, sodium, 

and sulfate.
2 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1. Previous groundwater studies and reports.

Study Area Year Report Reference

Mohawk River Basin 2002 Water-Data Report NY–02–1 Butch and others, 2003

Chemung River Basin 2003 Open-File Report 2004–1329 Hetcher-Aguila, 2005

Lake Champlain Basin 2004 Open-File Report 2006–1088 Nystrom, 2006

Upper Susquehanna River Basin 2004–2005 Open-File Report 2006–1161 Hetcher-Aguila and Eckhardt, 2006

Delaware River Basin 2005–2006 Open-File Report 2007–1098 Nystrom, 2007b

Genesee River Basin 2005–2006 Open-File Report 2007–1093 Eckhardt and others, 2007

St. Lawrence River Basin 2005–2006 Open-File Report 2007–1066 Nystrom, 2007a

Mohawk River Basin 2006 Open-File Report 2008–1086 Nystrom, 2008

Western New York 2006 Open-File Report 2008–1140 Eckhardt and others, 2008

Central New York 2007 Open-File Report 2009–1257 Eckhardt and others, 2009

Upper Hudson River Basin 2007 Open-File Report 2009–1240 Nystrom, 2009

Eastern Lake Ontario Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2011–1074 Risen and Reddy, 2011a

Chemung River Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2011–1112 Risen and Reddy, 2011b

Lower Hudson River Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2010–1197 Nystrom, 2010

Lake Champlain Basin 2009 Open-File Report 2011–1180 Nystrom, 2011

Upper Susquehanna River Basin 2009 Open-File Report 2012–1045 Reddy and Risen, 2012

Delaware River Basin 2010 Open-File Report 2011–1320 Nystrom, 2012

St. Lawrence River Basin 2010 Open-File Report 2011–1320 Nystrom, 2012

Purpose and Scope

This report supplements the water-quality study completed in 2005–2006 in the Genesee River Basin (Eckhardt 

and others, 2007) by resampling 3 of the wells from that 

study (Wells AG 263, MO 1524, and WO 350), and provides 

analytical results for 13 new wells (fig. 1). This report briefly 

describes the study area and the sampling methods, and 

presents results of the water-quality analyses for the 16 wells 

sampled in 2010. Summary statistics (number of samples 

exceeding Federal or State drinking-water standards) and the 

minimum, median, and maximum concentrations of selected 

analytes in sand and gravel and bedrock aquifers are provided 

in tables 2 through 4; information on the sampled wells and 

detailed analytical results for all analytes are provided in the 

appendix (tables 1–1 through 1–9).

Study Area

The Genesee River Basin lies mostly in west-central 

New York and partly in north-central Pennsylvania (fig. 1). A 

complete description of the study area is included in the first 

Genesee River Basin report (Eckhardt and others, 2007). The 

2,439-square mile (mi2

) study area in New York includes all 

or parts of nine counties. The central and southern parts of 

the basin lie within the Appalachian Plateau physiographic 

province, and the northern part of the basin is in the Lake 

Ontario Lowlands province (fig. 1). The central and southern 

parts of the study area are predominantly rural, although there 

are several large villages [Avon, Dansville, Geneseo, LeRoy, 

Mount Morris, Warsaw, and Wellsville (fig. 1)] and many 

small villages and hamlets. Most of the developed area is in 

the northern part of the basin, including the City of Rochester 

and its suburbs in Monroe County.

During deglaciation of the region, sand and gravel were 

deposited by meltwater streams; and clay, silt, and fine sand 

were deposited in proglacial lakes. The glaciofluvial and 

glaciolacustrine deposits within the study area are described 

in detail by Randall (2001) and Coates (1966). The most 

productive aquifers within the study area are the glaciofluvial 

deposits of sand and gravel in the valleys. Bedrock aquifers 

typically are used for water supply in upland areas where sand 

and gravel aquifers generally are absent. The bedrock aquifers 

throughout most of the study area are relatively flat-lying, 

interbedded sedimentary units of shale, siltstone, sandstone, 

limestone, and dolostone of Silurian and Devonian age (Fisher 

and others, 1970).

Methods

A total of 16 wells (appendix table 1–1) were selected 

for sample collection as described by Eckhardt and others 

(2007)—8 were finished in sand and gravel aquifers and 8 
Methods 3

Black Creek

Oatka

Creek

Creek

Koy

E.

Wiscoy

Creek

Cr. Caneadea

Genesee

River

Van Campen Cr.

Dyke Cr.

Black

Creek

Cr.

Keshequa Canaeraga

Creek

Genesee

River

Honeyoe

Creek

Barge Canal

Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Honeoye

Lake

Canadice Hemlock Lake Lake

Conesus

Lake

Silver

Lake

Rushford

Lake

Canandaigua

Lake

Keuka

Lake

Seneca

Lake

Rochester

LeRoy

Avon

Geneseo

Mount

Morris

Warsaw

Dansville

Wellsville

Erie

Steuben

Allegany

Ontario

Cattaraugus

Monroe

Wyoming

Livingston

Yates

Genesee

Wayne

Niagara

Orleans

Schuyler

Chemung

Seneca

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

AG1736

LV 542

AG1129

AG 266

LV 618

MO1402

WO 352

OT1134

AG 263

LV 541

AG 746

LV1110

AG1337

GS 757

WO 350

MO 1524

78° 77°

42°

43°

77°

0 2010 Kilometers

0 10 20 Miles

Location Map

NY

PA

NJ

VT

NH

MA

CT RI

Lake Ontario

Lake

Erie

CANADA

Genesee River Basin

Lake Ontario

Appalachian Plateau

Lowlands

EXPLANATION

! GS 757

WO 350

Well finished in bedrock

Well finished in sand and gravel

Number is well number assigned by

U.S. Geological Survey; one- or twoletter prefix denotes county.

City/village

Study area

County boundary

State boundary

Physiographic province

boundary

Base from U.S. Geological Survey, digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 18, NAD 83

Figure 1. Pertinent geographic features of study area in the Genesee River Basin, New York, and locations of the 16 wells sampled in 

2010. (Well data are provided in table 1–1, at end of report.)

were finished in bedrock aquifers. Of the eight wells that tap 

into sand and gravel aquifers, seven are production wells 

and one is a private residential well. Of the eight bedrock 

wells, one is a production well and seven are private residential wells. Samples were collected from September through 

December 2010. The water samples were analyzed for 147 

physiochemical properties and constituents that included 

major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radionuclides, pesticides, 

VOCs, and indicator bacteria. 

Most of the wells that are finished in sand and gravel 

were in the valleys and ranged from 25 to 199 ft deep (appendix table 1–1). The wells that are finished in bedrock were 

generally in the uplands and ranged from 60 to 260 ft deep; all 

the bedrock wells were finished in sedimentary units of shale, 

siltstone, and sandstone (appendix table 1–1).

Wells were selected to provide adequate spatial coverage 

of the study area. The study did not target specific municipalities, industries, or agricultural practices. The private residential wells were selected on the basis of information from the 

NYSDEC Water Well program, which began in 2000. Production wells were selected using information from the NYSDEC 

Water Well program and the New York State Department of 

Health (NYSDOH) Drinking Water Protection program.

In addition to the 16 groundwater samples, one quality 

control (QC) sample was collected. The 147 physiochemical 

properties and constituents were divided between a replicate 
4 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

sample and a blank sample. A concurrent QC replicate sample 

was collected for radon-222 and the dissolved gases (argon, 

carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen) and a QC blank 

sample was collected for the remaining 142 physiochemical 

properties and constituents. The variability between the replicate sample and the corresponding environmental sample was 

greatest for radon-222, which was detected at a concentration 

of 750 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in the replicate sample and 

780 pCi/L in the environmental sample—a difference of 3.8 

percent. The variability between dissolved gas samples was 

1.6 percent or less. Carbon dioxide was the dissolved gas with 

the greatest variability; the environmental sample had a concentration of 24.6 mg/L and the concentration of the replicate 

sample was 25.0 mg/L. No constituents exceeded laboratory 

reporting levels (LRLs) in the blank sample.

Groundwater-sample collection and processing followed 

standard USGS procedures as documented in the National 

Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (U.S. 

Geological Survey, variously dated). All samples except those 

for radionuclide analyses were chilled to 4 degrees Celsius 

(°C) or less and were kept chilled until delivery to the analyzing laboratory. The samples were delivered directly, or 

shipped by overnight delivery, to four laboratories: (1) the 

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, 

Colorado, for analysis of inorganic major ions, nutrients, 

total organic carbon, inorganic trace elements, radon-222, 

pesticides and pesticide degradates, and VOCs; (2) the USGS 

Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory (CFCL) in Reston, Virginia, 

for select dissolved gases; (3) a NYSDOH-certified laboratory 

in Richmond, California, for gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities; and (4) a NYSDOH-certified laboratory in Depew, 

New York, for bacterial analysis. Physiochemical properties, 

such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, and specific conductance, were measured at the sampling 

site.

Groundwater Quality

Samples from 16 wells were analyzed for 147 physiochemical properties and constituents. Many of these (80) were 

not detected above the LRLs in any sample (appendix table 

1–2). Results for the remaining 67 physiochemical properties 

and constituents that were detected are presented in appendix 

tables 1–3 through 1–9. The categories of physiochemical 

properties and constituents are presented in the appendix 

tables as follows: physiochemical properties (table 1–3), 

inorganic constituents (table 1–4), nutrients and total organic 

carbon (table 1–5), trace elements and radionuclides (table 

1–6), pesticides (table 1–7), VOCs (table 1–8), and bacterial 

water-quality indicators (table 1–9). Some concentrations were 

reported as “estimated” when the detected value was less than 

the established LRL, or when recovery of a compound has 

been documented to be highly variable (Childress and others, 

1999).

Analytical results for selected constituents were compared with Federal and New York State drinking-water 

standards, which are typically identical. The standards include 

maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and secondary drinking-water standards (SDWS) established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 1999; 2002; and 2009) and the NYSDOH 

(New York State Department of Health, 2007). The MCLs 

are enforceable standards that specify the highest level of a 

contaminant that is allowed in public water drinking supplies; 

they are not enforceable for private residential wells, but are 

presented here as a guideline for evaluation of the water-quality results. The SDWS are nonenforceable guidelines based on 

cosmetic and aesthetic criteria, such as taste, odor, or staining 

of plumbing fixtures. 

The quality of the sampled groundwater generally was 

acceptable, although in samples from each of the 16 wells 

the concentration of at least 1 constituent exceeded recommended MCLs or SDWS set by the USEPA and the NYSDOH. Exceedances generally involved minerals and chemical 

elements that occur from natural interactions of water and 

rock (aluminum, arsenic, copper, iron, manganese, sodium, 

and sulfate), but also included radon-222, which is generated 

from the natural decay of uranium, and total coliform bacteria 

contamination. 

Physiochemical Properties

The color of the water samples (appendix table 1–3) 

ranged from less than 1 platinum-cobalt (Pt-Co) unit (the 

LRL) to 20 Pt-Co units; the median was less than 5 Pt-Co 

units for sand and gravel wells and 2 Pt-Co units for bedrock 

wells. The NYSDOH MCL and USEPA SDWS of 15 Pt-Co 

units were exceeded in one sample from a sand and gravel 

well. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.9 to 8.1; the 

median was pH 7.6 for sand and gravel wells and pH 7.4 for 

bedrock wells. None of the 16 wells had pH values outside the 

accepted USEPA SDWS range of pH 6.5 to 8.5 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009). Specific conductance of the 

samples ranged from 293 to 2,510 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm) at 25°C; the median was 593 μS/cm at 25°C 

for sand and gravel wells and 872 μS/cm at 25°C for bedrock 

wells. The temperature of the water ranged from 9.7°C to 

16.9°C; the median was 10.5°C for sand and gravel wells and 

13.4°C for bedrock wells. 

Dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to 2.7 mg/L; the median was 0.6 mg/L 

for sand and gravel wells and 0.4 mg/L for bedrock wells. 

Methane concentrations ranged from less than 0.0005 mg/L 

(the LRL) to 45.4 mg/L; the median was 0.016 mg/L for sand 

and gravel wells and 0.005 mg/L for bedrock wells. The odor 

of hydrogen sulfide gas, which may occur in the absence of 

oxygen, was noted by field personnel in water from two sand 

and gravel wells and three bedrock wells.
Groundwater Quality 5

Major Ions

The cations that were detected in the greatest concentrations were calcium and sodium (table 2 and appendix table 

1–4). Calcium concentrations ranged from 22.9 to 544 mg/L; 

the median was 58.1 mg/L for sand and gravel wells and 102 

mg/L for bedrock wells. Magnesium concentrations ranged 

from 6.03 to 49.5 mg/L; the median was 16.6 mg/L for sand 

and gravel wells and 38.7 mg/L for bedrock wells. Potassium 

concentrations ranged from 1.06 to 17.5 mg/L; the median 

was 1.45 mg/L for sand and gravel wells and 2.78 mg/L for 

bedrock wells. Sodium concentrations ranged from 6.14 to 

118 mg/L; the median was 32.6 mg/L for sand and gravel 

wells and 28.0 mg/L for bedrock wells. The USEPA nonregulatory drinking-water advisory taste threshold for sodium 

recommends that sodium concentrations in drinking water 

not exceed the range of 30 to 60 mg/L (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 2002; 2009). The concentration of sodium 

in samples from one sand and gravel (97.4 mg/L) well and two 

bedrock wells (61.8 and 118 mg/L) exceeded the upper limit 

of the USEPA threshold. 

The anions that were detected in the greatest concentration were bicarbonate and sulfate (table 2 and appendix table 

1–4). Bicarbonate concentrations ranged from 76 to 437 

mg/L; the median was 246 mg/L for sand and gravel wells and 

344 mg/L for bedrock wells. Chloride concentrations ranged 

from 8.85 to 94.7 mg/L; the median was 54.2 mg/L for sand 

and gravel wells and 19.6 mg/L for bedrock wells. Fluoride 

concentrations ranged from 0.07 to 0.63 mg/L; the median 

was 0.14 mg/L for sand and gravel wells and 0.27 mg/L for 

bedrock wells. Silica concentrations ranged from 6.48 to 21.2 

mg/L; the median was 9.15 mg/L for sand and gravel wells 

and 13.5 mg/L for bedrock wells. Sulfate concentrations 

ranged from <0.09 mg/L (the LRL) to 1,510 mg/L; the median 

was 15.6 mg/L for sand and gravel wells and 75.0 mg/L for 

bedrock wells. The NYSDOH MCL and USEPA SDWS of 

250 mg/L were exceeded in samples from three bedrock wells.

Calcium and magnesium contribute to water hardness. 

Water hardness in the basin ranged from 82 to 1,560 mg/L (as 

CaCO3); the median was 216 mg/L for sand and gravel wells 

and 415 mg/L for bedrock wells. Three of the samples were 

soft to moderately hard (120 mg/L as CaCO3 or less) and 13 

wells yielded water that was hard to very hard (greater than 

Table 2. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples from the 

Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[All concentrations in milligrams per liter in filtered water. --, not applicable; <, less than; CaCO3, calcium carbonate]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Constituent

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of

samples

exceeding

standard

Sand and gravel

(8 samples)

Bedrock

(8 samples)

Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Cations

Calcium -- -- 23.7 58.1 120 22.9 102 544

Magnesium -- -- 6.80 16.6 34.4 6.03 38.7 49.5

Potassium -- -- 1.06 1.45 2.14 1.84 2.78 17.5

Sodium 160 3 20.6 32.6 97.4 6.14 28.0 118

Anions

Bicarbonate -- -- 76 246 437 199 344 429

Chloride 2,3250 0 14.1 54.2 94.7 8.85 19.6 88.9

Fluoride

4

4.0

0 .07 .14 .31 .13 .27 .63 22.0

3

2.2

Silica -- -- 6.48 9.15 21.1 9.77 13.5 21.2

Sulfate 2,3250 3 <.09 15.6 37.4 <.18 75.0 1,510

Hardness as CaCO3 -- -- 87 216 440 82 415 1,560

Alkalinity as CaCO3 -- -- 62 202 358 163 282 352

Dissolved solids, dried

at 180°C

3

500 4 160 327 539 191 505 2,400

1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Advisory Taste Threshold.

2

New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

4

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.
6 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

120 mg/L as CaCO3) (Hem, 1985). Wells finished in bedrock 

were slightly more alkaline (median 282 mg/L as CaCO3) 

than those finished in sand and gravel (median 202 mg/L as 

CaCO3). Concentrations of total dissolved solids ranged from 

160 to 2,400 mg/L, with a median of 327 mg/L for sand and 

gravel wells and 505 mg/L for bedrock wells. The USEPA 

SDWS of 500 mg/L for dissolved solids was exceeded in one 

sand and gravel well and three bedrock wells.

Nutrients and Organic Carbon

Total organic carbon was the predominant nutrient in 

the groundwater samples (table 3 and appendix table 1–5). 

Concentrations of ammonia ranged from <0.010 (the LRL) 

to 1.50 mg/L as nitrogen (N); the median concentration was 

0.138 mg/L as N in samples from sand and gravel wells and 

0.394 mg/L as N in samples from bedrock wells. Concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite ranged from <0.02 (the LRL) to 

1.31 mg/L as N; the median concentration was <0.02 mg/L as 

N in samples from sand and gravel wells and <0.04 mg/L as 

N in samples from bedrock wells. The concentration of nitrate 

plus nitrite did not exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCL 

of 10 mg/L as N in any sample. Nitrite was detected in four 

samples with a maximum concentration of 0.004 mg/L as N; 

the concentration of nitrite did not exceed the MCL (1 mg/L as 

N) in any sample. Orthophosphate concentrations ranged from 

0.006 to 0.111 mg/L as phosphorus (P). Organic carbon was 

detected in 15 of the 16 samples; the maximum concentration 

was 2.9 mg/L.

Trace Elements and Radionuclides

The trace elements detected in the greatest concentrations (>100 μg/L) were aluminum, arsenic, barium, boron, 

copper, iron, manganese, and strontium (table 4 and appendix table 1–6). The largest detected concentration of a trace 

element, 19,800 μg/L, was of strontium in a sample from a 

bedrock well. The concentration of aluminum in one sample 

from a bedrock well, 454 μg/L, exceeded the upper limit of 

the USEPA SDWS for aluminum of 200 μg/L. The concentration of arsenic in one sample from a sand and gravel well 

(148 μg/L) and one sample from a bedrock well (13.3 μg/L) 

exceeded the USEPA and NYSDOH MCL of 10 μg/L. The 

concentration of copper in one sample from a bedrock well 

(1,610 μg/L) exceeded the USEPA SDWS of 1,000 μg/L. The 

concentration of iron in eight filtered samples and nine unfiltered samples exceeded the USEPA SDWS and the NYSDOH 

MCL of 300 μg/L. The concentration of manganese in seven 

filtered samples and eight unfiltered samples exceeded the 

USEPA SDWS of 50 μg/L; the NYSDOH MCL of 300 μg/L 

was not exceeded in any sample. Drinking-water standards 

for antimony, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, 

mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, uranium , and zinc were 

not exceeded; additionally, mercury and thallium were not 

detected in any sample (appendix table 1–2). 

Three measures of radioactivity were employed (table 4 

and appendix table 1–6). Gross alpha activity ranged from less 

than 0.70 to 2.8 pCi/L. The median activity was <1.2 pCi/L 

in samples from sand and gravel wells and <1.3 pCi/L in 

Table 3. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in groundwater samples from the Genesee 

River Basin, New York, 2010.

[All concentrations in milligrams per liter in filtered water except as noted. N, nitrogen; --, not applicable; <, less than; E, estimated value—constituent was 

detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery; P, phosphorus]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Constituent

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of Sand and gravel Bedrock

samples (8 samples) (8 samples)

 exceeding 

standard Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Ammonia plus organic N, as N -- -- <.05 .17 1.5 <.10 .38 1.1

Ammonia, as N -- -- <.010 .138 1.50 E.011 .394 .999

Nitrate plus nitrite, as N 1,210 0 <.02 <.02 1.31 <.02 <.04 E.03

Nitrite, as N 1,21 0 <.001 <.001 .001 <.001 <.002 .004

Orthophosphate, as P -- -- .006 .018 .111 .008 .010 .013

Total organic carbon, unfiltered -- -- .4 .7 2.4 <.3 .8 2.9

1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2

New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.
Groundwater Quality 7

Table 4. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater 

samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[All concentrations in micrograms per liter in unfiltered water except as noted. <, less than; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but 

with low or inconsistent recovery; --, not applicable; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; mrem/yr, millirem per year]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Constituent

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Sand and gravel Bedrock

(8 samples) (8 samples)

Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Aluminum 350–200 1 <3 <6 34 <3 <6 454

Antimony 1,26 0 <.2 <.2 <.4 <.2 <.4 0.2

Arsenic 1,210 2 .58 1.7 148 .26 3.2 13.3

Barium 1,22,000 0 60.7 192 1,480 7.0 133 644

Beryllium 1,24 0 <.02 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 E.02

Boron, filtered -- -- 15 46 144 32 240 2,550

Cadmium 1,25 0 <.04 <.05 <.05 <.04 <.04 E.03

Chromium 1,2100 0 <.21 <.21 .21 <.21 <.42 .24

Cobalt -- -- <.02 .03 .11 <.04 .02 .46

Copper 31,000 1 <.70 1.4 7.6 <.70 E1.1 1,610

Iron, filtered 2,3300 8 6 360 2,600 12 398 6,380

Iron 2,3300 9 17 388 3,100 32 450 6,180

Lead 415 0 <.04 .50 4.26 <.22 .14 10.4

Lithium -- -- 3.9 7.4 37.4 12.7 30.6 78.3

Manganese, filtered

2

300 0

.2 39.8 179 13.7 55.8 187

3

50 7

Manganese 

2

300 0

<.4 45.6 191 15.4 72.0 192

3

50 8

Molybdenum -- -- .1 1.2 12.9 <.1 1.0 4.8

Nickel -- -- <.12 .21 1.0 <.36 .49 1.5

Selenium 1,250 0 <.05 <.05 .20 <.05 <.10 .14

Silver 2,3100 0 <.01 <.01 <.02 <.01 <.01 .11

Strontium -- -- 149 270 859 116 1,144 19,800

Zinc 2,35,000 0 <2.0 6.7 75.0 <2.0 2.8 72.3

Gross alpha radioactivity, pCi/L 1,215 0 <.70 <1.2 2.8 <.88 <1.3 2.0

Gross beta radioactivity, pCi/L

1,24 -- 1.3 1.8 2.7 <.93 3.2 18.4

mrem/yr

Radon-222, pCi/L 

5

300 9

235 375 800 175 340 620

6

4,000 0

Uranium 1,230 0 <.014 .024 .376 <.014 .072 .222

1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2

New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

4

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Treatment Technique.

5

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Maximum Contaminant Level.

6

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level.
8 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

samples from bedrock wells. The gross alpha activity did not 

exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for gross alpha of 

15 pCi/L in any sample. Gross beta activity ranged from less 

than 0.93 to 18.4 pCi/L. The median activity was 1.8 pCi/L in 

samples from sand and gravel wells and 3.2 pCi/L in samples 

from bedrock wells. The USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for 

gross beta are expressed as a dose of 4 millirems per year. 

Radon-222 was detected in every sample, and activity ranged 

from 175 to 800 pCi/L. The median activity was 375 pCi/L in 

samples from sand and gravel wells and 340 pCi/L in samples 

from bedrock wells. Radon currently is not regulated in drinking water; however, the USEPA proposed MCL of 300 pCi/L 

for radon-222 in drinking water was exceeded in nine samples, 

but the USEPA proposed Alternate Maximum Contaminant 

Level (AMCL) of 4,000 pCi/L was not exceeded. The AMCL 

is the proposed allowable activity of radon in raw-water 

samples where the State has implemented mitigation programs 

to address the health risks of radon in indoor air. The proposed 

MCL and AMCL for radon are under review and have not 

been adopted (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980, 

1999, 2009).

Pesticides

Four pesticides (two herbicides and two insecticides) 

were detected in samples from three wells (appendix table 

1–7). The pesticides were detected in samples from one sand 

and gravel well and two bedrock wells. All pesticide concentrations were in hundredths or thousandths of micrograms per 

liter. The constituent detected with the highest concentration 

(0.013 μg/L) is the insecticide lindane, which was detected 

in the sample from the sand and gravel well. The herbicide 

benfluralin was also detected in the sample from the sand and 

gravel well at a concentration of 0.003 μg/L. The insecticide 

disulfoton was detected in one sample from a bedrock well at 

an estimated concentration of 0.01 μg/L. The presence of the 

herbicide prometon was verified in one sample from a bedrock well but could not be quantified. None of the pesticides 

analyzed contained concentrations that exceeded established 

drinking-water standards.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Four VOCs were detected in samples from three sand 

and gravel wells and three bedrock wells (appendix table 

1–8). Trichloromethane, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane were detected in samples from two wells. 

These three compounds are trihalomethanes (THMs), which 

typically are formed as byproducts when chlorine or bromine 

is used to disinfect water. Trichloromethane was detected in a 

sample from a sand and gravel well at a concentration of 0.1 

μg/L, and in a sample from a bedrock well at a concentration 

of 1.3 μg/L. The two other THMs, bromodichloromethane 

and dibromochloromethane, were also detected in the sample 

from the bedrock well at concentrations of 0.4 and 0.2 μg/L, 

respectively. Toluene was detected in samples from three sand 

and gravel wells and two bedrock wells at concentrations 

ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μg/L. None of the VOCs analyzed 

exceeded established drinking-water standards.

Bacteria

All samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli, fecal 

coliform, heterotrophic bacteria, and total coliform. Total 

coliform bacteria were detected in six samples (appendix 

table 1–9)—three from sand and gravel wells and three from 

bedrock wells. The USEPA and NYSDOH MCL violation 

for total coliform bacteria occurs when 5 percent of finished 

water samples collected in 1 month test positive for total 

coliform (if 40 or more samples are collected per month) or 

when two samples are positive for total coliform (if fewer 

than 40 samples are collected per month). Heterotrophic 

plate counts ranged from 1 to 133 colony-forming units per 

milliliter (CFU/mL); the USEPA MCL (500 CFU/mL) was 

not exceeded. 

Wells Sampled in 2005–2006 and 2010

Three of the wells sampled in 2010 (Wells AG 263, MO 

1524, and WO 350) were sampled previously in 2005–2006 

as part of this program. Of the 147 physiochemical properties 

and constituents that samples were analyzed for in 2010, 136 

were common to 2005–2006 (appendix tables 1–10 through 

1–13). The difference between 2005–2006 and 2010 results 

for a single well were typically smaller than those between the 

results from different wells. In general, there were no detectable trends in constituent concentrations between 2005–2006 

and 2010.

Summary

In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with 

the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), began an assessment of groundwater quality 

in bedrock and sand and gravel aquifers throughout New York 

State. As a part of this assessment, the Genesee River Basin 

was studied in 2005–2006 and again in 2010. The 2010 study 

is the subject of this report and includes analysis of 16 water 

samples collected from 8 production wells and 8 private residential wells from September through December 2010. Water 

samples were analyzed for 147 physiochemical properties and 

constituents that included major ions, nutrients, trace elements, 

radionuclides, pesticides, VOCs, and indicator bacteria. Three 

wells (AG 263, MO1524, and WO 350) were tested in both 

studies and a comparison was made of the results. The concentrations of most of the constituents changed little between 

2005–2006 and 2010. 
References Cited 9

The results indicate that groundwater generally is of 

acceptable quality, although concentrations of the following 

constituents exceeded current or proposed Federal or New 

York State drinking-water standards at each of the 16 wells 

sampled in 2010: color (one sample), sodium (three samples), 

sulfate (three samples), total dissolved solids (four samples), 

aluminum (one sample), arsenic (two samples), copper (one 

sample), iron (nine samples), manganese (eight samples), 

radon-222 (nine samples), and total coliform bacteria (six 

samples). Existing drinking-water standards for pH, chloride, 

fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, antimony, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, 

zinc, gross alpha radioactivity, uranium, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and heterotrophic bacteria were not exceeded in 

any of the samples collected. None of the pesticides and VOCs 

analyzed exceeded existing drinking-water standards.

References Cited

Butch, G.K., Murray, P.M., Hebert, G.J., and Weigel, J.F., 

2003, Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 2002: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report, NY–02–1, 

p. 502–520.

Childress, C.J.O., Foreman, W.T., Connor, B.F., and Maloney, T.J., 1999, New reporting procedures based on longterm method detection levels and some considerations for 

interpretations of water-quality data provided by the U.S. 

Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 99–193, 19 p.

Coates, D.R., 1966, Glaciated Appalachian Plateau—Till shadows on hills: Science, v. 152, p. 1617–1619.

Eckhardt, D.A., Reddy, J.E., and Shaw, S.B., 2009, Groundwater quality in central New York, 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1257, 40 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1257/.

Eckhardt, D.A., Reddy, J.E., and Tamulonis, K.L., 2007, 

Ground-water quality in the Genesee River Basin, New 

York, 2005–06: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

2007–1093, 26 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1093/.

Eckhardt, D.A., Reddy, J.E., and Tamulonis, K.L., 2008, 

Ground-water quality in western New York, 2006: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008–1140, 36 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1140/.

Fisher, D.W., Isachsen, Y.W., and Rickard, L.V., 1970, Geologic map of New York State: New York State Museum 

Map and Chart Series no. 15, Finger Lakes and Niagara 

sheets, scale 1:250,000.

Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical 

characteristics of natural water (3d ed.): U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, 264 p.

Hetcher-Aguila, K.K., 2005, Ground-water quality in the 

Chemung River Basin, New York, 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 04–1329, 19 p., at 

http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/of/of041329/. 

Hetcher-Aguila, K.K., and Eckhardt, D.A., 2006, Groundwater quality in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, New 

York, 2004–05: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

06–1161, 20 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1161/. 

New York State Department of Health, 2007, New York 

State Health Department public water systems regulations: 

Albany, N.Y. [variously paged], accessed January 2009, at 

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/water/drinking/

part5/tables.htm.

Nystrom, E.A., 2006, Ground-water quality in the 

Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 06–1088, 22 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1088/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2007a, Ground-water quality in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005–2006: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1066, 33 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1066/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2007b, Ground-water quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2001 and 2005–2006: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1098, 36 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1098/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2008, Ground-water quality in the 

Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008–1086, 33 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1086/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2009, Ground-water quality in the Upper 

Hudson River Basin, New York, 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1240, 37 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1240/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2010, Groundwater quality in the Lower 

Hudson River Basin, New York, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010–1197, 39 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1197/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2011, Groundwater quality in the Lake 

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1180, 42 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1180/.

Nystrom, E.A., 2012, Groundwater quality in the Delaware 

and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2010: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1320, 58 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1320/.
10 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Randall, A.D., 2001, Hydrogeologic framework of stratifieddrift aquifers in the glaciated Northeastern United States: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1415–B, 179 p.

Risen, A.J., and Reddy, J.E., 2011a, Groundwater quality in 

the Eastern Lake Ontario Basin, New York, 2008: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1074, 32 p., at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1074/.

Risen, A.J., and Reddy, J.E., 2011b, Groundwater quality in 

the Chemung River Basin, New York, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1112, 25 p., at http://

pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1112/.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980, Prescribed procedures for measurement of radioactivity in drinking water: 

EPA 600/4–80–032. (Also available at http://www.epa.gov/

ogwdw000/methods/pdfs/methods/methods_radionuclides.

pdf.) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997, Guidelines for 

preparation of the comprehensive state water quality assessments 305(b) reports and electronic updates: Washington, 

D.C., Office of Water, EPA 841–B–97–002A and EPA 

841–B–97–002B, PL 95–217, 271 p.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999, Proposed radon 

in drinking water rule: Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, EPA 815–F–99–006, 

6 p.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002, Drinking-water 

advisory—Consumer acceptability advice and health effects 

analysis on sodium: Washington, D.C., Office of Water, EPA 

822–R–02–032, 34 p.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009, National 

primary drinking water standards and national secondary drinking water standards: Washington, D.C., U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, EPA 

816–F–09–0004, 6 p. (Also available at 

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/consumer/pdf/mcl.pdf.)

U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, National field manual for the collection of water-quality data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, 

book 9, chap. A1–A9, available at 

http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.
Appendix 1.

Tables 1–1 through 1–13
12 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–1. Information on wells sampled in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. --, information not available; well types: P, production; D, domestic]

Well 

number1

U.S. Geological

Survey site

identifier

Date

sampled

Well depth,

feet below

land surface

Casing depth,

feet below

land surface

Well

type

Bedrock type

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 421210077921001 10/6/2010 160 -- P --

AG 266 420219077462301 11/16/2010 78 -- P --

AG1129 422018078071901 11/17/2010 199 198 P --

AG1736 422635077515701 12/1/2010 154 154 D --

LV 541 425505077531001 10/5/2010 69 68 P --

LV 542 423219077571701 11/18/2010 52 -- P --

WO 350 426400078130001 9/8/2010 150 150 P --

WO 352 424924078045901 11/2/2010 25 -- P --

Bedrock wells

AG 746 422616078114401 9/29/2010 80 31.5 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

AG1337 421321078004001 9/15/2010 108 19 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

GS 757 430330078023901 9/14/2010 75 50 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

LV 618 423712077423401 11/10/2010 60 37.5 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

LV1110 424629077552101 9/28/2010 72 66 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

MO 1402 430221077524001 11/3/2010 73 45.5 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

MO 1524 430049077362701 9/23/2010 260 216 D Shale/siltstone/sandstone

OT1134 424536077331601 10/26/2010 154 -- P Shale/siltstone/sandstone

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming;

number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 13

Table 1–2. Compounds for which groundwater samples from 

the Genesee River Basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected, 2010.

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey

parameter

code

Constituent

Laboratory 

reporting level,

micrograms per 

liter1

Trace elements in unfiltered water

71900 Mercury 0.01

01059 Thallium .12

Pesticides in filtered water

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .006

04040 CIAT .006–.014

49260 Acetochlor .01

46342 Alachlor .008

34253 alpha-HCH .004–.008

39632 Atrazine .007–.008

82686 Azinphos-methyl .120

04028 Butylate .002–.004

82680 Carbaryl .06–.2

82674 Carbofuran .060

38933 Chlorpyrifos .010

82687 cis-Permethrin .014

04041 Cyanazine .022–.040

82682 DCPA .006–.008

62170 Desulfinyl fipronil .012

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide .029

39572 Diazinon .005

39381 Dieldrin .009

82668 EPTC .002

82663 Ethalfluralin .006–.009

82672 Ethoprop .016

62167 Fipronil sulfide .013

62168 Fipronil sulfone .024

62166 Fipronil .018–.040

04095 Fonofos .004–.010

82666 Linuron .06

39532 Malathion .016–.020

82667 Methyl parathion .008

39415 Metolachlor .014

82630 Metribuzin .012–.016

82671 Molinate .002–.003

82684 Napropamide .008–.018

34653 p,p’-DDE .002–.003

1

Constituents with two laboratory reporting levels (LRL) are analytes for 

which the LRL changed during the course of the sampling.

Table 1–2. Compounds for which groundwater samples from the 

Genesee River Basin, New York, were analyzed but not detected, 

2010.—Continued

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey

parameter

code

Constituent

Laboratory 

reporting level, 

micrograms

per liter1

Pesticides in filtered water

39542 Parathion .020

82669 Pebulate .016

82683 Pendimethalin .012

82664 Phorate .020

04024 Propachlor .006–.012

82679 Propanil .010–.014

82685 Propargite .02

82676 Propyzamide .004

04035 Simazine .006

82670 Tebuthiron .02–.03

82665 Terbacil .024–.040

82675 Terbufos .02

82681 Thiobencarb .016

82678 Triallate .006

82661 Trifluralin .012–.018

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane .1

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

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane .1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene .1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene .1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane .2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane .1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene .1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene .1

34030 Benzene .1

34301 Chlorobenzene .1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene .1

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane .2

34423 Dichloromethane .2

81576 Diethyl ether .2

81577 Diisopropyl ether .2

34371 Ethylbenzene .1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether .2

1

Constituents with two laboratory reporting levels (LRL) are analytes for 

which the LRL changed during the course of the sampling.
14 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–2. Compounds for which groundwater samples from 

the Genesee River Basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected, 2010.—Continued

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey

parameter

code

Constituent

Laboratory 

reporting level, 

micrograms per 

liter1

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether .2

85795 m + p-Xylene .2

77135 o-Xylene .1

77128 Styrene .1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether .1

34475 Tetrachloroethene .1

32102 Tetrachloromethane .2

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene .1

32104 Tribromomethane .2

39180 Trichloroethene .1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .2

39175 Vinyl Choride .2

1

Constituents with two laboratory reporting levels (LRL) are analytes for 

which the LRL changed during the course of the sampling.
Appendix 1 15

Table 1–3. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.[Well locations are shown in figure 1. (00080), National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; μS/cm @ 25°C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; <, less than. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Water color, 

filtered, 

platinum cobalt 

units

(00080)

pH, field, 

standard 

units

(00400)

Specific 

conductance, 

field, μS/cm @ 

25°C

(00095)

Water

temperature,

degrees 

Celsius

(00010)

Dissolvedoxygen 

unfiltered,

 field, mg/L

(00300)

Dissolved

nitrogen gas

unfiltered

mg/L

(00597)

Carbon

dioxide

unfiltered,

mg/L

(00405)

Methane

unfiltered,

mg/L

(85574)

Argon

unfiltered,

mg/L

(82043)

Hydrogen

sulfide odor

field,

(71875)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 <1 8.1 415 9.7 0.5 23.95 3.3 <0.0005 0.8053 AbsentAG 266 <1 6.9 293 10.0 1.5 19.08 26.1 <.0005 .6914 AbsentAG1129 10 7.9 825 10.3 .2 12.87 5.8 45.4 .6318 AbsentAG1736 20 8.1 425 10.5 .7 17.98 2.3 14.2 .7426 PresentLV 541 <1 7.3 979 12.3 .5 13.95 54.5 20.7 .5251 AbsentLV 542 5 7.6 661 14.2 2.2 22.93 7.5 .003 .7193 AbsentWO 350 8 7.6 525 10.5 .5 24.19 9.4 .030 .7949 PresentWO 352 <1 7.4 716 11.6 .6 21.78 24.6 .001 .7683 Absent

Bedrock wells

AG 746 <1 7.6 364 13.6 2.7 21.02 10.0 <.0005 .7404 AbsentAG1337 2 7.8 655 11.4 .3 17.74 16.5 14.6 .7495 AbsentGS 757 2 7.1 1,650 13.6 .5 26.12 41.2 .001 .7374 AbsentLV 618 2 7.3 795 11.5 .3 28.40 38.2 .003 .8225 AbsentLV1110 <1 7.3 948 16.9 1.6 22.62 32.0 1.43 .7593 PresentMO 1402 2 7.4 2,330 13.2 .4 28.27 37.0 .004 .7858 PresentMO 1524 10 7.1 2,510 16.4 .3 24.55 29.5 .006 .8483 AbsentOT1134 <1 7.6 599 12.3 2.3 19.60 21.2 9.26 .7752 Present
16 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–4. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (00900), USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) 

parameter code. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Hardness,

filtered,

mg/L as CaCO3

(00900)

Calcium,

filtered,

mg/L

(00915)

Magnesium,

filtered,

mg/L

(00925)

Potassium,

filtered,

mg/L

(00935)

Sodium,

filtered,

mg/L

(00930)

Acid-neutralizing

capacity,

unfiltered,

mg/L as CaCO3

(90410)

Alkalinity,

filtered,

fixed endpoint,

laboratory,

mg/L as CaCO3

(29801)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 98 27.4 7.09 2.13 48.7 167 165

AG 266 87 23.7 6.80 1.39 20.6 62 62

AG1129 214 56.7 17.5 1.62 97.4 330 328

AG1736 150 45.6 8.66 1.33 33.1 194 199

LV 541 440 120 34.4 1.51 32.0 372 358

LV 542 268 76.6 18.7 1.17 25.1 171 171

WO 350 218 59.5 16.9 1.06 21.8 195 204

WO 352 278 84.5 16.2 2.14 35.6 234 245

Bedrock wells

AG 746 172 48.1 12.5 1.84 6.14 162 163

AG1337 82 22.9 6.03 3.16 118 351 352

GS 757 976 316 45.5 2.64 12.8 260 260

LV 618 402 102 35.7 2.22 11.0 304 303

LV1110 428 103 41.7 2.92 21.5 315 316

MO 1402 1,470 505 49.5 17.5 51.1 237 244

MO 1524 1,560 544 49.1 5.62 34.6 162 171

OT1134 181 50.3 13.6 1.91 61.8 309 316

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.

2

Calculated from alkalinity.
Appendix 1 17

Table 1–4. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.—Continued

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (29805), USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) 

parameter code; <, less than. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Bicarbonate,2

filtered,

mg/L

(29805)

Chloride,

filtered,

mg/L

(00940)

Fluoride,

filtered,

mg/L

(00950)

Silica,

filtered,

mg/L

(00955)

Sulfate,

filtered,

mg/L

(00945)

Dissolved solids,

dried at

180° Celsius,

filtered,

mg/L

(70300)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 201 14.1 0.31 9.67 26.7 231

AG 266 76 40.9 .08 6.48 11.7 160

AG1129 400 73.6 .20 8.46 <.09 451

AG1736 243 17.6 .23 8.63 <.09 240

LV 541 437 94.7 .20 21.1 3.68 539

LV 542 209 83.0 .08 11.0 37.4 370

WO 350 249 34.9 .09 12.7 19.4 284

WO 352 299 67.4 .07 7.19 28.2 386

Bedrock wells

AG 746 199 12.9 .21 13.4 10.6 191

AG1337 429 9.07 .23 9.77 <.18 369

GS 757 317 28.9 .31 12.1 727 1,370

LV 618 370 26.3 .13 16.3 98.1 481

LV1110 386 88.9 .22 21.2 51.8 529

MO 1402 298 45.3 .36 12.9 1,290 2,240

MO 1524 209 10.2 .63 13.8 1,510 2,400

OT1134 386 8.85 .32 13.6 11.8 364

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification 

number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.

2

Calculated from alkalinity.
18 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–5. Concentrations of nutrients and total organic carbon in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 

2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. mg/L, milligrams per liter; N, nitrogen; (00623), National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; P, phosphorus; <, less than; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery]

Well 

number1

Ammonia plus

organic nitrogen,

filtered,

mg/L as N

(00623)

Ammonia,

filtered,

mg/L as N

(00608)

Nitrate plus

nitrite,

filtered,

mg/L as N

(00631)

Nitrite,

filtered,

mg/L as N

(00613)

Orthophosphate,

filtered,

mg/L as P

(00671)

Total organic

carbon,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(00680)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 0.22 0.175 <.02 <.001 0.010 0.5

AG 266 <.05 <.010 1.23 <.001 .025 .4

AG1129 1.5 1.50 <.02 <.001 .111 2.4

AG1736 .19 .174 <.02 .001 .082 .7

LV 541 .21 .161 <.02 <.001 .017 1.1

LV 542 .12 .055 <.02 <.001 .015 .7

WO 350 .15 .114 <.04 <.002 .019 .7

WO 352 .09 <.010 1.31 .001 .006 .9

Bedrock wells

AG 746 <.10 E.011 E.03 <.002 .008 .6

AG1337 .74 .737 <.04 <.002 .010 .6

GS 757 E.10 .038 <.04 <.002 .011 1.0

LV 618 .08 .052 <.02 <.001 .012 .8

LV1110 .57 .577 <.04 <.002 .013 2.9

MO 1402 1.1 .999 <.02 .002 .010 .7

MO 1524 .20 .212 <.04 .004 .011 .8

OT1134 .79 .737 <.02 <.001 .010 <.3

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 19

Table 1–6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 

2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; <, less than; E, 

estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Aluminum,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01105)

Antimony,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01097)

Arsenic,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01002)

Barium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01007)

 Beryllium

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01012)

Boron,

filtered,

μg/L

(01020)

Cadmium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01027)

Chromium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01034)

Cobalt,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01037)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 4 <.2 0.89 79.3 <.02 144 <.05 <.21 <.02

AG 266 <3 <.2 .58 142 <.02 19 <.05 <.21 .02

AG1129 <3 <.2 148 240 <.02 91 <.05 .21 .11

AG1736 4 <.2 9.4 609 <.02 71 <.05 <.21 .02

LV 541 34 <.2 1.6 1,480 <.02 62 <.05 <.21 .04

LV 542 <3 <.2 1.5 306 <.02 15 <.05 <.21 .02

WO 350 <6 <.4 9.8 145 <.04 25 <.04 <.42 .09

WO 352 <3 <.2 1.8 60.7 <.02 29 <.05 <.21 .04

Bedrock wells

AG 746 12 <.4 1.1 331 <.04 32 <.04 <.42 E.02

AG1337 <6 <.4 .26 539 <.04 364 <.04 <.42 <.04

GS 757 <6 E.2 4.7 9.2 <.04 117 <.04 <.42 .10

LV 618 <3 <.2 4.5 31.2 <.02 62 <.05 <.21 .02

LV1110 454 <.4 1.8 234 E.02 100 E.03 <.42 .46

MO 1402 <17 <1.1 13.3 12.6 <.12 2,550 <.30 <1.3 <.12

MO 1524 <6 <.4 9.9 7.0 <.04 552 <.04 <.42 .08

OT1134 <3 .2 1.1 644 <.02 433 <.05 .24 .02

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
20 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 

2010.—Continued

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. pCi/L, picocuries per liter; (01042), USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery; Bold values exceed one or more 

drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Copper,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01042)

Iron,

filtered,

μg/L

(01046)

Iron,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01045)

Lead,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01051)

Lithium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01132)

Manganese,

filtered,

μg/L

(01056)

Manganese,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01055)

Molybdenum,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01062)

Nickel,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01067)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 3.9 10 125 4.26 37.4 17.9 20.3 0.5 <.12

AG 266 5.0 6 17 .46 3.9 .2 <.4 .1 .17

AG1129 <.70 1,700 1,740 <.04 6.0 43.4 48.3 12.9 .25

AG1736 <.70 2,600 2,900 .64 12.2 179 191 5.1 .14

LV 541 .95 2,400 3,100 .51 23.5 36.3 43.0 .1 1.0

LV 542 7.6 227 288 .73 7.8 93.4 95.4 2.0 .29

WO 350 E.70 493 487 <.06 7.1 76.0 81.8 3.0 <.36

WO 352 1.9 22 25 .48 4.1 .7 .8 .4 .99

Bedrock wells

AG 746 E.77 12 81 E.04 12.7 81.5 110 .9 <.36

AG1337 3.5 94 119 .21 69.5 13.8 15.4 <.1 E.27

GS 757 <1.4 261 302 .18 20.8 13.7 16.1 4.8 .56

LV 618 .86 535 597 .28 23.8 187 192 1.4 .31

LV1110 1,610 1,850 3,710 10.4 23.0 47.6 71.8 .3 1.5

MO 1402 4.3 6,380 6,180 <.22 55.2 69.1 72.1 1.0 1.2

MO 1524 E1.3 1,120 2,130 .10 37.5 63.9 81.5 1.5 .82

OT1134 <.70 28 32 .08 78.3 45.4 44.5 .1 .42

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 21

Table 1–6. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 

2010.—Continued

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01147), USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery. Bold values exceed one or more 

drinking-water standard]

Well 

number1

Selenium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01147)

Silver,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01077)

Strontium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01082)

Zinc,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01092)

Gross alpha 

radioactivity

pCi/L

(01519)

Gross beta

radioactivity

pCi/L

(85817)

Radon-222,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(82303)

Uranium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(28011)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 <.05 <.01 423 19.1 <0.99 2.5 300 0.032

AG 266 <.05 <.01 178 3.2 <.91 2.3 800 .015

AG1129 <.05 <.01 503 <2.4 <1.2 1.9 580 <.014

AG1736 <.05 <.01 290 <2.4 2.0 2.7 370 <.014

LV 541 <.05 <.01 859 28.8 <1.2 1.4 235 <.014

LV 542 <.05 <.01 151 10.2 <.70 1.3 300 .285

WO 350 <.10 <.02 249 <2.0 2.8 1.5 380 .275

WO 352 .20 <.01 149 75.0 <1.2 1.7 780 .376

Bedrock wells

AG 746 <.10 E.01 116 2.4 2.0 <0.93 380 .044

AG1337 <.10 <.02 202 3.6 <1.1 3.2 238 <.028

GS 757 .14 .02 19,800 <2.0 <1.8 3.1 175 .204

LV 618 <.05 <.01 249 72.3 <.88 2.3 620 .099

LV1110 <.10 .11 1,310 71.3 <1.5 3.5 236 .040

MO 1402 <.30 <.09 12,200 <14.4 <3.4 18.4 380 .112

MO 1524 E.07 E.01 10,600 3.1 <3.3 4.8 490 .222

OT1134 <.05 <.01 978 <2.4 1.3 2.8 300 <.014

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
22 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–7. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater 

samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. μg/L, micrograms per liter; (82673), USGS 

National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; <, less than; M, 

measured but not quantified; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the 

sample but with low or inconsistent recovery]

Well 

number1

 Benfluralin,

filtered,

μg/L

(82673)

Disulfoton,

filtered,

μg/L

(82677)

Lindane,

filtered,

μg/L

(39341)

Prometon,

filtered,

μg/L

(04037)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

AG 266 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

AG1129 .003 <.04 .013 <.01

AG1736 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

LV 541 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

LV 542 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

WO 350 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

WO 352 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

Bedrock wells

AG 746 <.014 <.04 <.004 M

AG1337 <.014 E.01 <.004 <.01

GS 757 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

LV 618 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

LV1110 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

MO 1402 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

MO 1524 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

OT1134 <.014 <.04 <.004 <.01

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, 

Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 23

Table 1–8. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater 

samples from the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. μg/L, micrograms per liter; (32106), USGS National 

Water Information System parameter code; <, less than]

Well 

number1

Trichloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32106)

Bromodichloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32101)

Dibromochloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32105)

Toluene,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(34010)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 <.1 <.1 <.2 0.3

AG 266 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

AG1129 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

AG1736 <.1 <.1 <.2 .3

LV 541 .1 <.1 <.2 .2

LV 542 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

WO 350 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

WO 352 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

Bedrock wells

AG 746 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

AG1337 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

GS 757 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

LV 618 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

LV1110 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.1

MO 1402 <.1 <.1 <.2 .1

MO 1524 1.3 .4 .2 <.1

OT1134 <.1 <.1 <.2 .3

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; 

OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by 

U.S. Geological Survey.
24 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–9. Concentrations of bacteria in unfiltered groundwater samples from the Genesee River 

Basin, New York, 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. mL, milliliter; (61213), National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter 

code; CFU, colony-forming unit; <, less than; >, greater than. Bold values indicate detections of coliform bacteria]

Well 

number1

Total coliform

colonies per 100 mL

(61213)

Fecal coliform

colonies per 100 mL

(61215)

Escherichia coli,

colonies per 100 mL

(31691)

Heterotrophic plate 

count,

CFUs per mL

(31692)

Sand and gravel wells

AG 263 1 <1 <1 23

AG 266 <1 <1 <1 7

AG1129 <1 <1 <1 3

AG1736 4 <1 <1 6

LV 541 <1 <1 <1 133

LV 542 <1 <1 <1 9

WO 350 250 <1 <1 3

WO 352 <1 <1 <1 3

Bedrock wells

AG 746 6 <1 <1 10

AG1337 <1 <1 <1 20

GS 757 <1 <1 <1 36

LV 618 <1 <1 <1 7

LV1110 <1 <1 <1 9

MO 1402 4 <1 <1 48

MO 1524 <1 <1 <1 1

OT1134 34 <1 <1 1

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; GS, Genesee; LV, Livingston; MO, Monroe; OT, Ontario; WO, Wyoming; 

number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 25

Table 1–10. Physiochemical properties of and concentrations of major ions, nutrients and total organic carbon, and bacteria in 

groundwater samples collected in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. NWIS, National Water Information System; <, less than; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm @ 25°C, microsiemens 

per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; °C, degrees Celcius; N, nitrogen; U, not 

detected; P, phosphorus; E, estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery; CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, 

milliliter. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

U.S. Geological

Survey NWIS

parameter code

Constituent

AG 2631 MO 15241 WO 3501

2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010

00080 Color, filtered, platinum-cobalt units 2 <1 8 10 8 8

00300 Dissolved oxygen, unfiltered, mg/L 13.8 .5 .3 .3 .49 .5

00400 pH, unfiltered 7.8 8.1 7.0 7.1 7.4 7.6

00095 Specific conductance, unfiltered, μS/cm @ 25°C 404 415 2,501 2,510 397 525

00010 Temperature, unfiltered, degrees Celsius 9.3 9.7 8.9 16.4 9.8 10.5

00900 Hardness, filtered, mg/L as CaCO3 92 98 1,500 1,560 240 218

00915 Calcium, filtered, mg/L 26.4 27.4 531 544 64.0 59.5

00925 Magnesium, filtered, mg/L 6.39 7.09 51.8 49.1 19.0 16.9

00935 Potassium, filtered, mg/L 2.19 2.13 5.32 5.62 1.11 1.06

00930 Sodium, filtered, mg/L 53.0 48.7 32.5 34.6 21.3 21.8

90410 Acid neutralizing capacity, unfiltered, fixed end point, 

lab, mg/L as CaCO3

172 167 164 162 185 195

29801 Alkalinity, filtered, fixed end point, laboratory, mg/L 

as CaCO3

172 165 164 171 190 204

29805 Bicarbonate, filtered, fixed endpoint, laboratory, mg/L 208 201 198 209 230 249

00940 Chloride, filtered, mg/L 10.0 14.1 6.32 10.2 37.1 34.9

00950 Fluoride, filtered, mg/L .3 .31 .7 .63 .1 .09

00955 Silica, filtered, mg/L 9.99 9.67 14.3 13.8 12.7 12.7

00945 Sulfate, filtered, mg/L 28.1 26.7 1,470 1,510 25.5 19.4

70300 Residue on evaporation at 180°C, filtered, mg/L 231 231 2,460 2,400 310 284

00623 Ammonia + organic-N, filtered, mg/L as N .12 .22 .28 .2 .13 .15

00608 Ammonia, filtered, mg/L as N .12 .175 .27 .212 .1 .114

00613 Nitrite, filtered, mg/L as N U <.001 U .004 U <002

00671 Orthophosphate, filtered, mg/L as P <.02 .01 <0.02 .011 E.01 .019

00680 Total organic carbon, unfiltered, mg/L <1.0 .5 <1.0 .8 <1.0 .7

31691 Escherichia coli, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1

61215 Fecal coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL <5 <1 <5 <1 <5 <1

31692 Heterotrophic plate count, unfiltered, CFU per ml 2 23 2 1 2 3

61213 Total coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL <1 1 <1 <1 1 250

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; MO, Monroe; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
26 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee River 

Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. All concentrations in micrograms per liter except as noted. NWIS, National Water Information System; E, 

estimated value—constituent was detected in the sample but with low or inconsistent recovery; <, less than; U, not detected; pCi/L, picocuries per liter. 

Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standard]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS

parameter 

code

Constituent

AG 2631 MO 15241 WO 3501

2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010

01105 Aluminum, unfiltered 3 4 E1 <6 E2 <6

01097 Antimony, unfiltered <.2 <.2 E.1 <.4 <.2 <.4

01002 Arsenic, unfiltered .31 .89 .88 9.9 8.8 9.8

01007 Barium, unfiltered 70 79.3 7 7 164 145

01020 Boron, filtered 145 144 529 552 24 25

01027 Cadmium, unfiltered <.04 <.05 <.04 <.04 <.04 <.04

01034 Chromium, unfiltered .05 <.21 .17 <.42 .2 <.42

01037 Cobalt, unfiltered .057 <.02 1.33 .08 .366 .09

01042 Copper, unfiltered .8 3.9 8.5 E1.3 2.4 E.70

01046 Iron, filtered 28 10 2,010 1,120 422 493

01045 Iron, unfiltered 40 125 2,190 2,130 397 487

01051 Lead, unfiltered .13 4.26 .08 .1 <.06 <.06

01132 Lithium, unfiltered 29.6 37.4 42.0 37.5 7.7 7.1

01056 Manganese, filtered 13.4 17.9 73.2 63.9 83.5 76

01055 Manganese, unfiltered 13.8 20.3 72.0 81.5 81.8 81.8

01062 Molybdenum, unfiltered 0.5 .5 1.6 1.5 2.7 3

01067 Nickel, unfiltered E.13 <.12 9.21 .82 1.68 <.36

01147 Selenium, unfiltered <.08 <.05 .16 E.07 E.05 <.10

01077 Silver, unfiltered U <.01 U E.01 U <.02

01082 Strontium, unfiltered 377 423 10,700 10,600 280 249

01092 Zinc, unfiltered 20 19.1 7 3.1 <2 <2.0

82303 Radon-222, unfiltered, pCi/L 280 300 520 490 470 380

28011 Uranium, unfiltered .032 .032 .239 .222 .405 .275

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; MO, Monroe; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological 

Survey.
Appendix 1 27

Table 1–12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 

2010.—Continued.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. All concentrations in micrograms per liter in filtered water. NWIS, National Water Information System; <, less than]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS

parameter code

Constituent

AG 2631 MO 15241 WO 3501

2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006

04040 2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino6-amino-s-triazine (CIAT)<.006 <.006 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

49260 Acetochlor <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010

46342 Alachlor <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008

34253 alpha-HCH <.005 <.004 <.005 <.004 <.005 <.004

39632 Atrazine <.007 <.008 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007

82686 Azinphos-methyl <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120

82673 Benfluralin <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014

04028 Butylate <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

82680 Carbaryl <.041 <.060 <.041 <.060 <.041 <.060

82674 Carbofuran <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060

38933 Chlorpyrifos <.005 <.004 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010

82687 cis-Permethrin <.006 <.010 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

04041 Cyanazine <.018 <.022 <.018 <.022 <.018 <.022

82682 DCPA <.003 <.008 <.003 <.008 <.003 <.008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012

39572 Diazinon <.005 <.006 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005

39381 Dieldrin <.009 <.008 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009

82677 Disulfoton <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04

82668 EPTC <.004 <.006 <.004 <.002 <.004 <.002

82663 Ethalfluralin <.009 <.006 <.009 <.006 <.009 <.006

82672 Ethoprop <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029

62167 Fipronil sulfide <.013 <.012 <.013 <.013 <.013 <.013

62168 Fipronil sulfone <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024

62166 Fipronil <.016 <.018 <.016 <.018 <.016 <.018

04095 Fonofos <.003 <.005 <.003 <.004 <.003 <.004

39341 Lindane <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

82666 Linuron <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060

39532 Malathion <.027 <.016 <.027 <.016 <.027 <.016

82667 Methyl parathion <.015 <.008 <.015 <.008 <.015 <.008

39415 Metolachlor <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

82630 Metribuzin <.006 <.012 <.006 <.012 <.006 <.012

82671 Molinate <.003 <.004 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003

82684 Napropamide <.007 <.008 <.007 <.008 <.007 <.008

34653 p,p’-DDE <.003 <.002 <.003 <.002 <.003 <.002

39542 Parathion <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020

82669 Pebulate <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016

82683 Pendimethalin <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012

82664 Phorate <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020
28 Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010

Table 1–12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2005–2006 and 

2010.—Continued.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. All concentrations in micrograms per liter in filtered water. NWIS, National Water Information System; <, less than]

04037 Prometon <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01

82676 Propyzamide <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

04024 Propachlor <.025 <.006 <.025 <.006 <.025 <.006

82679 Propanil <.011 <.010 <.011 <.010 <.011 <.010

82685 Propargite <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

04035 Simazine <.005 <.006 <.005 <.006 <.005 <.006

82670 Tebuthiuron <.02 <.03 <.02 <.03 <.02 <.03

82665 Terbacil <.034 <.024 <.034 <.024 <.034 <.024

82675 Terbufos <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

82681 Thiobencarb <.010 <.016 <.010 <.016 <.010 <.016

82678 Triallate <.006 <.005 <.006 <.006 <.006 <.006

82661 Trifluralin <.009 <.018 <.009 <.018 <.009 <.018

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; MO, Monroe; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
Appendix 1 29

Table 1–13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 

2005–2006 and 2010.

[Well locations are shown in figure 1. All concentrations in micrograms per liter in unfiltered water. NWIS, National Water Information System; <, less than. 

Bold values indicate detections]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS

parameter 

code

Constituent

AG 2631 MO 15241 WO 3501

2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010 2005–2006 2010

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113)< .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34030 Benzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

32101 Bromodichloromethane < .1 <.1 < .1 .4 < .1 <.1

32104 Tribromomethane < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

34301 Chlorobenzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

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

32105 Dibromochloromethane < .2 <.2 < .2 .2 < .2 <.2

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

34423 Dichloromethane < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

81576 Diethyl ether < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

81577 Diisopropyl ether < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

34371 Ethylbenzene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

85795 m- + p-Xylene < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

77135 o-Xylene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

77128 Styrene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether < .2 <.1 < .2 <.1 < .2 <.1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

34475 Tetrachloroethene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

32102 Tetrachloromethane < .1 <.2 < .1 <.2 < .1 <.2

34010 Toluene < .1 .3 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

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

39180 Trichloroethene < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1 < .1 <.1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane 

(CFC-11)

< .1 <.2 < .1 <.2 < .1 <.2

32106 Trichloromethane < .1 <.1 < .1 1.3 < .1 <.1

39175 Vinyl chloride < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2 < .2 <.2

1

Prefix denotes county: AG, Allegany; MO, Monroe; WO, Wyoming; number is local well-identification number assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.
This page has been left blank intentionally. 
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U.S. Geological Survey

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Information requests:

(518) 285-5602

or visit our Web site at:

http://ny.water.usgs.gov
Reddy—Groundwater Quality in the Genesee River Basin, New York, 2010—Open-File Report 2012–1135