Evaluation of potential geologic sources of nitrate contamination in ground water, Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah with emphasis on the Enoch area (SS-100)

By: M. Lowe and J. Wallace

Cedar Valley in southwestern Utah is experiencing an increase in residential development, much of which uses septic tank soil-absorption systems for wastewater disposal. Most of this development is taking place on unconsolidated basin-fill deposits, the principal aquifer providing almost all of Cedar Valley?s drinking-water supply. Local government officials in Iron County have expressed concern about the potential impact of development on ground-water quality, but they are also concerned that there may be unidentified natural sources contributing to elevated nitrate levels near Enoch. Therefore, the Utah Geological Survey investigated the nature and extent of nitrate contamination in Cedar Valley, and preliminarily evaluated geologic units to determine if sources of geologic nitrogen might exist; the Enoch area became the focus of this investigation.

The purpose of this investigation was to: (1) identify rock units and unconsolidated deposits in Cedar Valley which may contain geologic nitrogen, (2) evaluate the concentration of nitrate in ground water, (3) evaluate the concentration of nitrogen in selected rocks and unconsolidated deposits, and (4) assess the likelihood that nitrogen-rich geologic materials are contributing to elevated levels of nitrate in ground water in the Enoch area.

Other Information:
Published: 2001
Pages: 50 p.
Plates: 1 pl.
Scale: 1:48,000
Location: Iron County
Media Type: Paper Publication