Groundwater Contamination

Water that soaks into the soil and ends up in the water table is called groundwater. When the source of this water is contaminated, pollutants can sink into the aquifer and remain there for years. This polluted water can come from surrounding lakes and streams or when chemicals and fertilizers leave the topsoil - this is called "storm water drainage" or "runoff."  Contaminated groundwater is hazardous to the environment. If you own land and have to go through the expensive and unsightly process of cleaning up groundwater contamination, you might need an environmental attorney to help you fight for damages.
 

Hazardous water pollution

 
There are many hazards posed by these toxins that leach into the ground. If a well gets contaminated, it can ruin water used for drinking, bathing, washing and even for agricultural irrigation. Depending on the type of soil and the terrain, pollutants can travel for long distances or be focused in a small area. For instance, a hard-pan or rocky surface might allow contaminated groundwater to flow for some distance before it seeps into softer soil at which point it may enter a larger aquifer that is commonly found in flat areas and travel even further. It is for these reasons that soil conditions are often under such harsh scrutiny during residential and commercial real estate transactions, especially in areas of sand and softer topsoil.
 

Causes of Contamination

 
Widespread groundwater contamination can affect entire neighborhoods and small towns. Large water pollution problems are usually caused by manufacturing companies, over -fertilized farms or industrial transportation accidents. Common contaminants include nitrogen and phosphorous (from fertilizer) and arsenic.  Arsenic is a common groundwater contaminant that can occur from smelting metal, mining or burning large amounts of fossil fuel.  Smaller examples of contamination include the improper disposal of petroleum products like motor oil, a malfunctioning septic tank, a leaking underground pipe, underground storage tanks (UST), pesticides, detergents and paint. Deep wells are usually safer then shallow dug wells. A deep well can go below impermeable layers of clay that usually block out most local contaminants. However, even a deep well is vulnerable; the water in confined aquifers near the bedrock still comes from somewhere on the surface.

Underground Storage Tank (UST)

According to the EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST), there are “approximately 617,000” tanks in the United States.  These tanks store can store large volumes of petroleum products and other hazardous materials.  If a UST has a leak or is damaged, the most immediate threat is the contamination of groundwater in the surrounding area and it's impact on the local water table.  Groundwater is a major source of drinking water for most Americans.

If you and your property have become a victim of groundwater pollution, the results could affect your property value, the surrounding environment and ultimately your health. Depending on the origin of the pollution, claims for toxic contamination can be made against city, county, or state government as well as a private developer and/or property owner. The attorneys at Martin & Jones have experience with contaminated groundwater and the issues surrounding this type of toxic contamination.