An Artesian Well is a well in which water naturally flows
without the use or aid of a pump.
In order for water to move to the surface of the ground certain
geologic conditions must exist. First, water from a snowmelt or
precipitation moves through the aquifer from an elevated position
and works it's way down to a lower level into a layer of porous
rock or sediment. This layer consists of permeable rock like
limestone or sandstone that allows the water to move throughout the
layer. The limestone or sandstone is also capable of moving and
holding large amounts of water. Second, that permeable layer is
then surrounded by layers of impermeable materials like shale rock
or clay soil that sandwiches the water in the middle layer.
A well or bore is drilled from the surface through the
impermeable layer. As water continues to flow from an upper
elevation to a lower elevation pressure begins to mount. As that
pressure continues to increase water is forced to the surface
naturally in a way that seems to defy gravity as long as the spot
at which the water moves towards the surface is at a lower level
than the entryway of the water flow from upper elevations.
Many cities have relied upon underground aquifers when there are
no above ground lakes or rivers from which to draw water from.
Artesian wells can also occur in locations where faults or cracks
in the impervious layer allows water to flow upwards.
An interesting piece of information is that as water moves
through the layers in the porous rock organic contaminants are
removed. This results in a good clean source of water which will
make a good cold drink on hot day.
Water coming from this aquifier is especially hard due to the
mineral content. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium sulfates
and/or chlorides in the water are the cause of water hardness. Hard
water causes scaling - which are mineral deposts that remain after
the water has evaporated. These scales after time can cause water
flow issues in equipment such as pipes, water heaters, and boilers
to name a few plus premature failure.
According to the World Heath Organization - hard water is not
known to cause any adverse health issues in humans. Hard water does
however leave an icky feeling after a bath or shower due soap not
lathering well with hard water. Hard water is treated by softening
the water with equipment such as a water softener. A water softener
works on the principle of ion exchange in which ions of the
hardness minerals are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions which
reduces the concentration of hardness minerals to tolerable levels.
This makes water more suitable for laundry and bathing.
According to the United States Geological Survey, 89.3% of homes
in the US have hard water. The softest waters occur in parts of the
New England, South Atlantic-Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii
regions. Moderately hard waters are common in many of the rivers of
the Tennessee, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska regions.
Hard and very hard waters are found in some of the streams in most
of the regions throughout the country. Hardest waters (greater than
1,000 mg/L) are in streams in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona,
and southern California.
Additionally water from this aquifier contains low levels of
sulfates. Some levels of sulfates occurs in all natural drinking
water. Sulfate is one of the major dissolved components of rain.
Examples of minerals that contain sulfates are sodium sulfate
(Glauber's salt), magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), and calcium
sulfate (gypsum). Another source of sulfate is the natural
breakdown of fallen leaves.
The maximum level of sulfates suggested by the World Health
Organization in 1993, is 500 mg/l. However, recent standards by the
EPA and EU are more strict than those listed by the WHO. They
recommend sulfate levels 250 mg/l in water intended for human
consumption.
There are known health effects related to ingestion of water with
high levels of sulfates. The primary effect is accute diarrhea
because of the laxative effect of the sulfates. Those especially
vulerable include infacts, transients, and those who travel.
To log this cache:
1) Visit this location and take a picture of you or your
team clearly visible and post it with your log.
2) Use a water testing strip and test the nitrate level, pH level,
alkalinity, and hardness levels. (These can be purchased in a pet
supply store or a box mart in the pet section).
3) Email me with the results of #2. Do not include those in
your log.
Each Cacher that logs a find is required to submit answers to
the questions above (failure to comply will result in a deletion of
your log). The only exception to this are young kids that are
caching with their parents (who have their own account, but not
computer privileges). Per Earthcache guidelines, each cacher is to
learn from their visit/experience. That means each cacher must
perform the necessary task(s) or requirements to log the cache and
earn your smiley.
Any logs that do not meet the above posted requirements will be
deleted at the discretion of the cache owner. All logging
requirements must be completed within 48 hours of logging the cache
online or your log will be deleted unless you have prior permission
from the cache owner.