eople eat. Concentrations in the whole body of fish and the edible portions (fillets) are not directly comparable. Nevertheless, the levels for total chlordane, total DDT, or total PCBs that must be exceeded in the edible portion before consumption advisories are issued were not exceeded in the whole-body tissues at any of the sampling locations.

Very few volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in water from wells based on studies of ground-water quality in the Lower Susquehanna Basin. The VOCs detected are present in commonly used industrial solvents and degreasers or are components of gasoline. The good news is that none of the concentrations of the VOCs detected in samples from 129 wells used as drinking-water supplies exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels or Lifetime Health Advisory Levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The investigation in the Great Valley near Harrisburg, Pa., showed that VOCs were detected more frequently in an urban area compared to an agricultural area.

Bacteria in water from wells used for rural household supply is an important water-quality issue related to human health. A reconnaissance study of bacteria in well water was completed for the Lower Susquehanna Basin study. Total coliform bacteria were detected in water from nearly 70 percent of the household wells sampled, indicating that the water should not be used for drinking without treatment. Fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, bacteria that indicate contamination by human or animal feces, were found in water from 25 and 30 percent, respectively, of the wells tested. Few household wells from which water was sampled were grouted, and few had sealed, sanitary caps at the top of the casing. Lack of these protective features can enable the entry of bacteria into well water. With annual testing recommended by county extension agents, owners of rural wells should keep an eye on the bacterial quality of
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Contact: Bruce Lindsey
blindsey@usgs.gov
(717) 730-6964
United States Geological Survey
16-Apr-1998


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