LEAD CONTAMINATION OF SURFACE WATER IN PAYSON, UTAH

Drainage water from an abandoned galena mine is currently being used for livestock, a fish hatchery and irrigation of agricultural crops in Payson, Utah. The drainage water also feeds a losing stream very near to springs that are used for drinking water for local residences. The drainage water flows year round and could potentially be contaminating a large body of groundwater and surface water. The goal of this research was to determine whether the mine drainage water has levels of lead, copper and silver exceeding the State of Utah Groundwater Standards, which are 0.015 mg/L for lead, 0.1 mg/L for silver and 1.3 mg/L for copper. Water samples were collected from 15 locations, including the mine, a pipeline fed by the drainage water, and the losing stream fed by the drainage water. All sample bottles were rinsed with nitric acid to prevent contamination from the bottle. Sample bottles for lead analysis included an acid preservative agent to prevent adsorption of lead onto the bottle. All samples were analyzed using the Hach DR-2700 Spectrophotometer. No samples had silver or copper levels exceeding Utah standards. However, six out of 15 samples exceeded the Utah standard for lead with average lead concentration Pb = 0.033 mg/L. The maximum lead concentration, found in water flowing over the mine tailings, was Pb = 0.148 mg/L, nearly ten times the Utah standard. Options for remediation have been presented to landowners and at least one will be implemented beginning the summer of 2011. Water samples from drainage water destinations will be re-analyzed following remediation.