Laserfiche WebLink
Mr.Raymond Vaz <br /> December 14,2001 a i <br /> Page 3 <br /> Nitrate Loading Analysis <br /> To determine the general nitrate concentration of the soil, a soil sample was collected and <br /> submitted to FGL(analytical laboratory) for general soil suitability analysis(see attachment). <br /> The sample was collected at a depth of 3 feet on parcel 7 within the percolation test boring. The <br /> result indicates that the nitrate in soil was found to be 5.0 ppm as NO3. This concentration is <br /> within normal soil concentration of Nitrate. <br /> A ground water sample was also collected on May 11, 2000 from an onsite well for <br /> testing of DBCP and Nitrate. Test results are presented in the original Soil Suitability Study <br /> report and indicated that DBCP was found to be non-detectable and nitrate was found at 29.3 zewj <br /> mgll as NO3 (equivalent to 6.5 mg/1 as N). The DBCP detected in the ground water was non- <br /> detectable and below the maximum contaminate level of 0.02 ug/l. The nitrate detected in the <br /> ground water was reported as NO3 and is below the maximum drinking water standard of 45 <br /> mg/l. Both grab sample tests for soil and ground water do not appear to have excessive <br /> concentrations of nitrogen. <br /> Because of the concern of nitrate leaching into ground water from septic systems, a <br /> nitrate loading analysis was required by the San Joaquin County Public Health Services, <br /> Environmental Health Division, (PHS-EHD). If the proposed development is disposing of septic <br /> effluent to land,ground water quality may be impacted to some degree. Nitrate sources <br /> considered for this project are percolating septic effluent from a residence constructed on each of <br /> the four 5-acre arcels and deep percolation of rain water contamin nitrate. �7,1,i/G DCS+/ <br /> arm` <br /> e method utilized in the nitiffe loading analysis is bas on a simple mass balance <br /> formula, discussed in a published article by Hantzsche and Finnemore,' which provides a <br /> convenient and simplified method to estimate long-term ground-water nitrate impacts on an area- <br /> wide basis. <br /> Hantzsche and Finnemore found that over a long period of time, water quality in the <br /> upper saturated ground-water zone closely approximates the quality of percolating recharge <br /> waters. They believe that their method is a good planning tool and provides useful information to <br /> planners and local officials but with some real limitations. In their article published in Ground <br /> Water, Hantzsche and Finnemore mention that"...the equation ignores dispersion, lateral flow„r.)a 7 <br /> and mixing with ground water flow from up-gradient areas. These processes would generally <br /> contribute to additional reduction of nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in ground water to the extent <br /> t Haatzshe N.N.,Finnemore,E.J. 1991,Predicating Ground-Water Nitrate-Nitrogen Impacts. Ground <br /> Water,Vol.30,No.4. <br /> pE�Spy <br /> 4 <br /> i <br /> O <br /> ISSOC\ <br />