WATER QUALITY AT THE SITE OF A PROPOSED BIG BOX RETAILER: AN EXAMPLE OF SERVICE LEARNING IN GEOLOGY

Water samples were collected and analyzed over a period of eight months along a small stream draining the site of a proposed big box retailer. The site had previously been used for a motel and a golf driving range. Chloride, nitrates and coliform bacteria were analyzed weekly during this time period. Chloride concentrations were very high, generally five to ten times background levels. This is puzzling as the site is several hundred meters from the nearest road. The only other source we can conceive of is the driveway into the motel or the motel's septic system. However, nitrates were low, less than 1 ppm. Coliform bacteria was detected in about 50% of the samples collected. Two sets of water samples were sent to an outside laboratory to be tested for specific hydrocarbons, pesticides and herbicides. None were detected. Samples were also sent to an outside laboratory for detection of heavy metals. All levels were low or non-detectable. These data provide a baseline for water quality prior to proposed construction.