Set standard levels of iron differ for certain situations. Water containing this much iron has a bitter or astringent taste. Well, here in the Red River Valley our hypothesis is that it is really not much of a problem. But if we were doing this same data analysis on the iron range in Minnesota we may have found quite different results. Acids and other toxic substances in spoil banks can be washed into nearby surface waters and also can contaminate groundwater.
Bacteria are abundant and can be found all over.
There are many different kinds of bacteria, but the one we are concerned with for this study is fecal coliform. It enters rivers through a variety of ways. Often water is tested for fecal coliform to detect if there are other bacteria present in the water. If coliform bacteria are present in the water supply, it is an indication that the water supply may be contaminated with sewage or other decomposing waste. Usually coliform bacteria are found in greater amounts on the surface film of the water or in the sediments on the bottom.