Over 18,000 logs prepared from these samples are available in our office or via electronic databases. The Geological Survey Bureau provides information on the availability of groundwater supplies statewide. Given a specific geographic location, a water-well forecast can be prepared summarizing the available groundwater sources, the anticipated yields from existing aquifers, the quality of the water supply, the sequence of geologic materials to be encountered in drilling, and appropriate advisories on well construction or potential contamination problems. This information can be obtained by letter or office visit, over the phone, or by electronic pathways. Click to see information on private well construction .
Less information is available on trace metals, radionuclides, and organic chemicals.
Well Problems Water wells are a fact of life for rural dwellers, municipalities, and industrial users in Iowa. With thousands of well records from across the state on file, the Geological Survey can forecast geologic and hydrologic conditions for people needing to drill a new well or needing to solve problems such as loss of yield or changes in water quality in existing wells. Problems in individual wells depend not only on the natural water quality of the aquifer, but on well siting, construction, and well history. They have a variety of publications on water quality and treatment. As with most organizations that deal with large quantities of information, we are making the transition to electronic data management.