Ground Water Frequently Asked Questions
What is ground water?
Ground water is water below the water table; it is the water filling all the air spaces in soils and geologic formations.
Where does ground water come from?
Gravity moves water from rain puddles, rivulets, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and streams down through soil until it reaches the water table. Then it will move in the direction of least resistance. If there is a well nearby, water will be sucked toward the pump.
What is an aquifer?
An aquifer is a volume of sediment or rock with water filling all the void spaces between grains and in cracks. A good aquifer has enough void space for water to flow easily toward wells. Sand and sandstone make good aquifers.
What is an aquitard or confining layer?
An aquitard (also know as a confining layer) is a volume of sediment or rock with very little connected void space. Water can’t move easily, if at all, through an aquitard. Clay and shale make good aquitards.
Why does ground water need protecting ?
- Ground water supplies 100% of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s water. This is the water you use to drink and bathe and wash dishes. When ground water becomes contaminated, you and your community are at risk.
- Water on the land’s surface is connected to ground water. What you dump on the ground or in a lake, wetland, or stream will affect the quality of water you and your family will drink in the future
- Minnesota is facing a water shortage. Just because you can see water in lakes and streams doesn’t mean the water is safe to use. Much of the surface water in Minnesota is contaminated by urban and agricultural runoff including: gasoline, oil, fertilizers, and pesticides.
How is ground water protected?
- Testing for Contamination:
- The SMSC Land Department collects samples to test the quality of water going into the aquifer -- the water in lakes, streams, wetlands, and storm water ponds.
- The SMCS Public Works Department monitors the quality of water that comes out of the aquifer -- the water pumped into the water treatment plant and then distributed through the water supply system.
- Planning for Wellhead Protection & Ground Water Management:
- The Land Department manages land use activities in the drinking water supply areas; this ensures that no contaminants like gasoline or raw sewage can accidentally end up in the water supply.
- The Land Department monitors the amount of water pumped from the SMSC and surrounding city wells to ensure an adequate water supply and to see how the direction and speed of ground water flow is affected.