United States Geological Survey

References cited within the answers, together with other pertinent reference materials that one can find information relative to the local aquifer, can be found at the end of the questions and answer segment dedicated to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

What is the origin of the name “Chicot” Aquifer?

I don’t know. Many aquifers and geological formations are named after the place in which they were first identified or “typed.” Perhaps the Chicot Aquifer was named after the Bayou Chicot area in northern Evangeline Parish or some area of Texas. This Chicot aquifer extends into Texas.

What is the approximate land area that defines the extent of the Chicot Aquifer?

The freshwater extent of the Chicot aquifer system underlies about 9,000 square miles of Louisiana. I don’t have a number for the full extent into Texas.

The citizens of Calcasieu Parish have been under the impression that the layers of clay between the surface and the 200-foot and 500-foot sands offer protection for the drinking water withdrawn from these sands even if the surface is badly contaminated by industrial chemicals in some places. The presentation by the USGS seems to indicate that this impression is wrong. Can the USGS please explain the true situation in regard to this issue by explaining the charging of the aquifer from local runoff verses recharge of the aquifer from the area north of Calcasieu Parish?
The clay confining units in the Lake Charles area are similar to confining units in other areas of southern Louisiana. Hanor (1993) determined that water movement through these clay layers is probably much greater than what was indicated from lab analyses of clay cores. He attributed this to fracturing and subaerial weathering of the clays. A USGS model of the Chicot aquifer system also indicated that the aquifer was being recharged by vertical leakage from the overlying water table throughout much of its extent due to heavy pumping from the aquifer (Nyman and others, 1990).

Considering the apparent ease of movement of water between the 200-, 500-, and 700-foot sands, should this system be considered to be one system rather than three separate zones?

Locally, these sands are distinct and are considered separate aquifers. Water levels and water quality in the aquifers are different in most areas. However, there are areas of interconnection, especially between the 500- and 700-foot sands, and water moves between the sands. Taken together, they function regionally as an aquifer system.

Does the exposure of clays that comprise the surface geology of the region to chlorinated hydrocarbons or alkali degrade the structures of those clays in such a way that permeability is increased allowing for more rapid percolation of surface water to the underlying strata?

I don’t know what chemical or physical affects chlorinated hydrocarbons or alkali would have on clays. This question should be addressed to a soil scientist or geochemist with experience or knowledge of these materials.

Can the USGS provide data on the approximate volumes of water are withdrawn form the Chicot Aquifer by each of the major categories of users: industry, agriculture, municipalities and public water suppliers, business and home wells outside of incorporated areas?

Yes, the USGS and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development have a cooperative program to estimate pumping in Louisiana on a 5-year basis. In 2000, pumpage from the Chicot aquifer system, in million gallons per day, was as follows: public supply, 88.95; industry, 73.67; power generation, 12.57; rural domestic (home wells), 12.25; livestock, 1.11; rice irrigation, 537.26; general irrigation, 4.51; and aquaculture (mostly crawfish farming), 67.56.

Please explain how heavy pumping at the industrial complex prevents the migration of contaminants released by industry from invading domestic water supply wells.

Heavy pumping in the industrial district has lowered water levels in the 500- and 700-foot sands creating a cone of depression centered under the industrial district. Water movement in these aquifers generally is towards the center of the cone. This movement may inhibit migration of contaminants associated with the water away from the industrial district.

Does heavy use of the water in the Chicot Aquifer encourage the migration of synthetic organic compounds into the aquifer from old surface dumps and contaminated areas?

Heavy pumping in many areas of the Chicot Aquifer, including the Lake Charles area, has created a downward gradient for water movement. Contaminants associated with water may migrate downwards in response to this water gradient.

Are the water levels in the Chicot Aquifer being depleted so rapidly that public water supplies will be threatened?

No. The highest rate of water-level decline observed in the Chicot aquifer system, is occurring in areas east of Calcasieu Parish. Water levels in these areas are only declining about 1 ft per year. Because the aquifer is several hundred feet thick in most areas, these declines currently are not a threat.

What impact on the water levels, direction of flow, saltwater intrusion, and the migration of chemical contaminants can be expected if major power generating facilities using groundwater for cooling are opened in Calcasieu Parish?

This depends on where the plants locate, which sand they pump from, and how much they pump. In general, the aquifer is capable of sustaining very heavy pumpage. However, the USGS has not studied the potential impacts of such plants.

What is the impact of the Entergy power generating facility in Calcasieu Parish on the water levels and water migration in the local aquifer?

The USGS has not studied the impacts of individual facilities withdrawing water from the Chicot aquifer system.

Please explain how the 200-foot, 500-foot, and 700-foot portions of the Chicot Aquifer are interconnected.

It is easy to think of the sands as uniform cake layers. However, the tops and bottoms of the sands are uneven, so that the thickness of the sands and intervening clay layers varies. In some place the intervening clay layers become thin or disappear and water moves between the sands. There also may be faulting and fracturing of the clays that may provide pathways for water movement between sands.

At the current rates of withdrawals, are the people in Calcasieu Parish in danger of loosing the aquifer as a source of drinking water?

No. Water levels in the Chicot aquifer system in Calcasieu Parish have been fairly stable since the completion of the Sabine River Diversion Canal. When the Canal was completed in 1982, many industries began using surface water from the Canal to supplement ground water withdrawals. The subsequent decrease in ground-water withdrawals resulted in a water level rise of as much as 50 feet in some areas.

If the withdrawal rates for water use in Southwest Louisiana continue to increase at the current rates, when can Calcasieu Parish expect to experience major concerns about water availability?

As explained in the previous response, water levels are not currently declining in Calcasieu Parish and water availability is not an issue.

Are the heavy withdrawals by industry and agriculture impacting the coastal communities like those in Cameron Parish?

How does saltwater intrusion in Cameron Parish compare with the same process in other coastal parishes in Louisiana?

In coastal areas, the Chicot Aquifer generally has a layer of freshwater on top of a layer of saltwater. The saltwater extends inland as a wedge that is thicker along the coast and thinner inland. Heavy pumping in Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parish has lowered water levels in these parishes, creating a gradient for saltwater to move further inland. Very slight movement of the saltwater has been noted along the inland “toe” of the saltwater, especially along the Calcasieu-Cameron Parish border. However, no impact to coastal communities has been noted. In fact, the water supply at the town of Cameron seems to be becoming fresher, possibly due to increased recharge from precipitation.

Perhaps in concert with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, can we be informed of the kinds of actions being taken to reduce the amount of water used to irrigate rice in Louisiana?

Over the past 20 years, many rice farmers have installed a piping system to distribute water from their wells to their fields. These have replaced open canals, which lost a lot of water in transit, and have made their irrigation system much more efficient. I also know that seed companies are attempting to develop a herbicide-resistant strain of rice that will eliminate the need for flooding to control weeds and red rice. I’m not familiar with any other actions being taken. The LSU Agricultural Center may be able to provide more information on this topic.

Are any regulations in place to govern the extent of groundwater withdrawal in times of prolonged drought?

At this time, there is little or no regulation of ground-water withdrawal in Louisiana. The Louisiana Groundwater Management Commission was established by the Legislature in 2001 to determine if, when, and where such regulation might be needed.

Are any conservation efforts under way to slow the encroachment of saltwater into the zones of the Chicot used drinking water?

The rates of saltwater encroachment that the USGS has documented for the Chicot aquifer system generally are extremely low. I am not aware of any conservation efforts to reduce the encroachment.

Since the heavy users of the Chicot Aquifer are depleting the water supply for all of us, would placing a charge of the amount of water withdrawn tend to conserve the aquifer?

As stated in previous answers, water levels are not declining in many areas of the Chicot. Where there is a decline, the rate is low. Ultimately, I expect that it will be up to local governments to determine whether restrictions or fees are necessary.

The Chicot Aquifer is an important source of water for industry, agriculture, and citizens of the parish. What does the USGS consider to be the greatest threat to the continued long-term usefulness of this resource? Please explain why.

The greatest threat to the aquifer is saltwater encroachment. Once the aquifer becomes salty in an area, the water will be unusable for many purposes. Fortunately, saltwater encroachment does not seem to be occurring in most areas. Where it is occurring, movement of the salt is very slow.

If a major power generating facility is opened in the parish, what can be predicted in terms of water balance and movement in the Chicot Aquifer?

The USGS has not conducted any studies to determine the impact of an individual facility on water levels or water movement in the Chicot aquifer system.

Can the movement of saltwater into the upper reaches of the Chicot Aquifer be stopped?

Movement of saltwater in the Chicot aquifer system has been detected in a few areas. However this movement is very slow (a maximum rate was estimated at 70 feet per year). To slow or stop the movement, the northward water level gradient would have to be lessened or removed. This would require a reduction in ground-water pumping.

About how far north has saltwater moved in the 200-foot and 500-foot sands over the last 10 years?

Based on limited data, there has been no indication of saltwater movement in the 200-foot sand over the past 10 years. Concentrations of chloride have increased at monitoring wells in the 500-foot sand along the Cameron-Calcasieu Parish border, indicating that northward encroachment is probably occurring. No data are available to indicate how far the interface has moved over the past 10 years. Estimates of water movement, based on the water-level gradient, average porosity, and hydraulic conductivity, indicate the saltwater could be moving at a maximum rate of about 70 ft per year.

Can the saltwater areas in the Chicot Aquifer be used for any economically meaningful purpose?

There are industries that use salty water for their certain purposes, such as washing and fire prevention. I believe that there are industries along the coast that routinely use salty water for various purposes. Someone from industry would be better able to address this question.

Is there a relationship between saltwater intrusion in the Chicot Aquifer and saltwater intrusion in the surface water in the Calcasieu Estuary?

No, I believe that saltwater intrusion into the estuary generally is the result of low flows in the Calcasieu River.

Does the rise and fall of the tides exert an influence on saltwater intrusion into the shallow groundwater and on the water in the 200-foot sands? Do these tides exert an influence on the movement of contaminants into the various levels of the aquifer?

The rise and fall of tides causes water levels to rise and fall slightly. This is known as tidal loading, and it is more pronounced near tidally-influenced water bodies, such as the Calcasieu River. The effects of tidal loading are attenuated with distance from the water body and also with depth. I don’t believe that it has a substantial affect of saltwater movement or movement of contaminants.

Will a rise in mean sea level impact on the intrusion of saltwater into the shallow sands and the 200 foot sands of the Chicot Aquifer?

The affects of sea-level rise on water levels and saltwater intrusion have not been studied by the USGS.

Does saltwater intrusion into the upper sands of the Chicot Aquifer have any permanent effects on the geological properties of the aquifer?

Based on my limited geochemical background, I am not aware of any chemical or physical changes to the matrix material of the aquifer that would occur.

Since the general direction of movement in the Chicot Aquifer is toward the south-southwest, have agricultural or public interests in Texas expressed concern about the contamination of the water with industrial chemicals or saltwater?

Along the Texas-Louisiana border, the general direction of water movement in the Chicot aquifer is eastward. In Texas, there is a large cone of depression in the Chicot aquifer system under the Houston area. I expect that this is the dominant issue in the Chicot Aquifer in Texas.

Does movement of water through the geological deposit from which we withdraw water result in adsorption of salt by the sand and other minerals that comprise the aquifer?

I don’t think that salt or the other minerals associated with saltwater in the Chicot aquifer system would readily adsorb to the sand or gravel.

Are any options available to citizens of Cameron Parish when their drinking water wells become infiltrated with saltwater?

If wells did become too salty to drink, options would include filtration of the salty water by reverse osmosis or piping fresh water in from another location. Fortunately (and contrary to expectations), monitoring wells and public-supply wells in some areas of Cameron Parish, such as near the town of Cameron, show freshening trends.

What are the options available to citizens, industry, and agriculture if the saltwater intrusion makes the Chicot Aquifer unusable?

If well water became too salty for these purposes, alternate supplies (such as surface water) or filtration by reverse osmosis would be possible options.

When saltwater intrusion does take place, are remediation steps possible?

There are ways to limit saltwater movement when it is determined that encroachment is occurring. The most common method is to reverse the gradient near the interface. This can be done by placing high-capacity wells along the saltwater side of the interface and pumping out saltwater. However, this may create problems with disposal of the saltwater. Or the gradient can be reversed by injecting water into the aquifer on the freshwater side of the interface, creating a mound or ridge in the water-level surface. This is currently being attempted in Baton Rouge.

Do areas that have sandy soils like Acadia Parish have more or less problems with saltwater intrusion into drinking water wells than citizens in Southwest Louisiana?

The character of the Chicot aquifer system in Acadia Parish and Calcasieu Parish is similar. Saltwater is present at the base of the aquifer in the southern two-thirds of both parishes. Because the saltwater extends inland as a wedge, saltwater is shallower in the aquifer near the southern border of both parishes. Sandy soils at the surface have little impact on saltwater intrusion in the aquifer.

Do brine disposal wells impact on the nature of the Chicot Aquifer?

I am not aware of brine disposal wells contaminating the aquifer.

Are brine disposal wells possibly the cause of the salt contamination in the Iowa region?

The source of saltwater in the Iowa area is not known. I am not aware of brine disposal wells in the Iowa area, nor have I heard of brine disposal wells contaminating the aquifer. The presence of saltwater in the upper sand in the Iowa area may be due to incomplete flushing by freshwater after the aquifer sediments were deposited.

During the meeting of the Calcasieu Forum, mention was made of a study done in Calcasieu Parish in the 1995-1996 time frame. Can you relay what the study consisted of and is a copy of the report is available?

The USGS conducted a study during 1995-1996 in cooperation with the Calcasieu Parish. The resulting report documented water levels and the distribution of saltwater in the Chicot aquifer system in the parish. The study also attempted to determine whether there was a hydraulic connection between the Chicot aquifer system and the Calcasieu River. Based on data from a single site adjacent to the river, there did not seem to be a direct hydraulic connection.

What will it take for the USGS to continue the 1995-1996 study started in Calcasieu Parish?

The 1995-1996 study of water levels and saltwater encroachment was completed. For the USGS to do any additional work, it must be funded by another government entity. The entity can be Federal, State, or local, but must have taxing authority. The work must also be determined to be within the USGS mission.

Under normal conditions of rainfall, about how long does it take for a parcel of water to move from the traditional recharge zone of the Chicot Aquifer to a water well in the 500-foot sands at Lake Charles?

A couple of years ago, I made some quick calculations of the time it would take recharge in northern Evangeline Parish to reach the Crowley area. There were several assumptions involved. If we assumed that Crowley and Lake Charles were similarly situated relative to the recharge area and aquifer characteristics between the recharge area and the towns were similar, it may take somewhere between 800 and 1,600 years for recharge to travel from the predevelopment recharge area to these towns.

About when did the citizens of Southwest Louisiana start making significant water withdrawals from the Chicot Aquifer?

Pumping from the Chicot aquifer system began around 1900 and is documented in Harris, G.D., 1906, Underground waters of southern Louisiana, with discussions of their uses for water supplies and rice irrigation, by M.L. Fuller: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 101. Water withdrawals in the Lake Charles area increased significantly during the 1940s as industries moved into the area.

What are the dimensions of a typical well in the 500-foot sands?
There are many wells of various sizes screened in the 500-foot sand. The size depends on the intended use and the rate of flow needed. Well-dimension information can be obtained from the LaDOTD well-registration data base which can be accessed at the web site: http://www.dotd.state.la.us/intermodal/wells/home.asp.

How is the maximum capacity of a water well determined?

Well yields are generally determined using a flow meter.

How is DeQuincy impacted by the Chicot Aquifer?

The town of DeQuincy obtains drinking water from the Evangeline aquifer, which underlies the Chicot, probably because of water-quality preferences.

What are the other major aquifers used form drinking and irrigation water in south Louisiana and in what regions are they located?

In southwestern Louisiana, the Evangeline aquifer is the principal aquifer used in Beauregard, Allen, and Evangeline Parishes, and parts of St. Landry Parish. The Evengeline aquifer generally becomes salty south of these parishes. The Mississippi River alluvial aquifer supplies water to parishes located along the river, though it generally is not suitable for drinking. There are many aquifers on southeastern Louisiana that are collectively called the Southern Hills aquifer system.

The general direction of movement of water in the Chicot Aquifer is from the north and northeast to the south and southeast. This brings water under the industrial complex that moves slowly to the southwestern part of the parish. When will contaminants from the complex show up in wells in that part of the parish?

In Calcasieu Parish, pumping has altered the predevelopment flow directions, which you have indicated. Now most water movement in the Chicot Aquifer in Calcasieu Parish is radially inward toward the Lake Charles area. Generally, there is no water movement towards the west or southwest parts of the parish from the industrial district.

A significant fraction of the graphics used by the USGS in the presentation to the Calcasieu Forum included data up to 1996. How often are the data on the aquifer updated?

The USGS, in cooperation with LaDOTD, monitors water levels and chloride concentrations (saltwater) in several wells in Calcasieu Parish. Water-level measurements are made quarterly. Chloride samples are collected semi-annually. Other data are collected based on individual project needs. The USGS is currently (2000-2003) conducting a project in cooperation with the LSU Agriculture Center and Rice Research Board to investigate water levels and saltwater encroachment in rice-growing areas of Louisiana. During this investigation, water levels and chloride samples will be collected across southwestern Louisiana, including Calcasieu Parish. Other projects have recently collected water-quality data from shallow wells in rice fields and from selected domestic wells in Calcasieu Parish.

SELECTED REFERENCES

• Beckman, J.D., and Williamson, A.K., 1990, Salt-dome locations in the Gulf Coastal Plain, south-central United States: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90-4060, 44 p.
• Fader, S.W., 1954, An analysis of contour maps of water levels in wells in southwestern Louisiana, 1952 and 1953: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 1, 7 p.
• Fader, S.W., 1955, An analysis of contour maps of water levels in wells in southwestern Louisiana, 1954: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 2, 13 p.
• Fader, S.W., 1957, An analysis of contour maps of 1955 water levels, with a discussion of saltwater problems in southwestern Louisiana: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 4, 27 p.
• Fader, S.W., 1958, Water levels and water-level contour maps for southwestern Louisiana, 1956 and spring 1957: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 5, 23 p.
• Fader, S.W., and Harder, A.H., 1954, Preliminary memorandum on the effects of the proposed Cocodrie and Longleaf reservoirs and the Vermilion River on ground-water recharge in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report, 13 p.
• Fendick, R.B., Jr., and Nyman, D.J., 1987, Louisiana ground-water map no. 1: Potentiometric surface, 1985, and water-level changes, 1983-85, of the Chicot aquifer in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water- Resources Investigations Report 86-4348, 2 sheets.
• Hanor, J.S., 1993, Effective hydraulic conductivity of fractured clay beds at a hazardous waste landfill, Louisiana Gulf Coast: Water Resources Research, v. 29, no. 11, p. 3691-3698.
• Harder, A.H., 1960a, The geology and ground-water resources of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1488, 102 p.
• Harder, A.H., 1960b, Water levels and water-level contour maps for southwestern Louisiana, 1958 and 1959: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 8, 27 p.
• Harder, A.H., 1961, Water levels and water-level contour maps for southwestern Louisiana, 1959 and spring 1960, with a discussion of ground-water withdrawals: Department of Conservation and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 10, 25 p.
• Harder, A.H., Kilburn, Chabot, Whitman, H.M., and Rogers, S.M., 1967, Effects of ground-water withdrawals on water levels and saltwater encroachment in southwestern Louisiana: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Bulletin no. 10, 56 p.
• Harris, G.D., 1904, Underground waters of southern Louisiana, with discussions of their uses for water supplies and for rice irrigation, by M.L. Fuller: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 101, 98 p.
• Hodges, A.L., Jr., Rogers, S.M., and Harder, A.H., 1963, Gas and brackish water in the fresh-water aquifers, Lake Charles area, Louisiana: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 13, 35 p.
• Jones, P.H., 1950a, Depth of occurrence of fresh ground water in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report, 5 p.
• Jones, P.H., 1950b, Ground-water conditions in the Lake Charles area, Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report, 11 p.
• Jones, P.H., Hendricks, E.L., Irelan, Burdge, and others, 1956, Water resources of southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1364, 460 p.
• Jones, P.H., Turcan, A.N., Jr., and Skibitzke, H.E., 1954, Geology and ground-water resources of southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Conservation Geological Bulletin 30, 285 p.
• Kilburn, Chabot, and Whitman, H.M., 1962, Water levels in southwestern Louisiana, April 1960 to April 1961, with a discussion of water-level trends from 1950 to 1960: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 11, 21 p.
• Lovelace, J.K., 1999, Distribution of saltwater in the Chicot aquifer system of southwestern Louisiana, 1995-96: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Technical Report no. 66, 61 p.
• Lovelace, J.K., 1998, Distribution of saltwater in the Chicot aquifer system in the Calcasieu Parish area, Louisiana, 1995: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Technical Report no. 62, 59 p.
• Lovelace, J.K., and Lovelace, W.M., 1995, Hydrogeologic unit nomenclature and computer codes for aquifers and confining units in Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Special Report no. 9, 12 p.
• Lovelace, J.K., and Johnson, P.J., 1996, Water use in Louisiana, 1995: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Special Report no. 11, 127 p.
• Lurry, D.L., 1987, Pumpage of water in Louisiana, 1985: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Public Works Water Resources Special Report no. 4, 14 p.
• Meyer, R.R., 1953, Summary of ground-water conditions in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Open- File Report, 7 p.
• Nyman, D.J., 1984, The occurrence of high concentrations of chloride in the Chicot aquifer system of southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Public Works Water Resources Technical Report no. 33, 75 p.
• Nyman, D.J., 1989, Quality of water in freshwater aquifers in southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Technical Report no. 42, 22 p.
• Nyman, D.J., Halford, K.J., and Martin, Angel, Jr., 1990, Geohydrology and simulation of flow in the Chicot aquifer system of southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Technical Report no. 50, 58 p.
• Smoot, C.W., 1986, Areal extent of freshwater in major aquifers in Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water- Resources Investigations Report 86-4150, 1 sheet.
• Stanley, T.B., Jr., and Maher, J.C., 1944, Ground-water resources of Jefferson Davis and Acadia Parishes, Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Public Works, 93 p.
• Stipe, J.C., and Spillers, J.P., eds., 1960, Salt domes of South Louisiana: New Orleans, New Orleans Geological Society, v. 1, 145 p.
• Tomaszewski, D.J., 1992, Louisiana hydrologic atlas map no. 5: Quality of freshwater in aquifers of Louisiana, 1988: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90-4119, 7 sheets.
• Turcan, A.N., Jr., and Fader, S.W., 1959, Summary of ground-water conditions in southwestern Louisiana, 1957 and 1958, with a discussion of iron in water from the Chicot aquifer: Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 6, 29 p.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1977, National secondary drinking water regulations: Federal Register, March 31, 1977, v. 42, no. 62, pl. 143, p. 17143-17147.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992, Drinking water regulations and health advisories: Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 11 p.
• U.S. Geological Survey, 1945, Water, in Calcasieu Parish Resources and Facilities: Louisiana Department of Public Works and Calcasieu Parish Development Board, p. 39-42.
• U.S. Geological Survey, [Jones, P.H.][1947], Water, in Cameron Parish Resources and Facilities: Louisiana Department of Public Works and Cameron Parish Development Board, p. 39-42.
• Walter, W.H., 1982, Pumpage of water in Louisiana, 1980: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Public Works Water Resources Special Report no. 3, 15 p.
• Walters, D.J., 1996, Louisiana ground-water map no. 10: Potentiometric surface, 1991, and water-level changes 1985?91, of the Chicot aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4044, 2 sheets.
• Whitman, H.M., and Kilburn, Chabot, 1963, Ground-water conditions in southwestern Louisiana, 1961 and 1962, with a discussion of the Chicot aquifer in the coastal area: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 12, 32 p.
• Zack, A.L., 1971, Ground-water pumpage and related effects, southwestern Louisiana, 1970, with a section on surface- water withdrawals: Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources Pamphlet no. 27, 33 p.

A complete listing of USGS Louisiana District publications is available on our local web site at :
http://www1dlabrg.er.usgs.gov/pubs.bib.html

Department of Natural Resources

What can the average citizen do to conserve groundwater resources in Calcasieu Parish?

Conservation methods that individual citizens can take are many. Here several steps are divided into Indoor and Outdoor categories.

INDOOR USE

1. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of cooling the water by running the faucet.
2. Recycle water that would otherwise go to waste. This might include putting a bucket in the shower to catch extra water while waiting for the water to warm up. This water can be used to water a plant or brush your teeth.
3. Make sure your house is leak-free. If your water meter is moving even though all faucets are off, your home most likely has a leak somewhere.
4. Repair or replace the handle on your toilet if it is prone to sticking. A plumber may not be necessary, since repair kits are available at most hardware stores and are fairly simple to install.
5. Take shorter showers or consider installing low-flow shower heads. Shower systems that allow the water to be turned off without adjusting the temperature settings are now available. This enables you to turn off the water while lathering and maintain the same temperature.
6. Repair all leaky faucets, and update to low-flow faucets when possible.
7. Check toilet tank for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait for thirty minutes. If the tank is leaking, you will see food coloring in the toilet bowl.
8. Install toilet displacement devices or dams; this will reduce the amount of water needed for every flush.
9. Use the dishwasher to wash your dishes. The dishwasher generally uses less water than hand washing does.
10. Fill the dishwasher and clothes washing machine completely before using them.
11. Insulate your hot water pipes. Less time will be needed for hot water to reach the sink, tub, or shower, leading to the wasting of less water.
12. Install an instant water heater in your sink. This will eliminate the waste of water while waiting for the tap water to heat up.
13. Do not flush toilet unnecessarily. Throw facial tissues in the trash instead of in the toilet.
14. Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth.
15. Avoid using the garbage disposal; instead, dispose of food scraps in the garbage or compost.

OUTDOOR USE

1. Water the lawn in the early morning or in the late evening. Avoid watering during the heat of the day when evaporation is at a maximum.
2. Do not water the lawn when the weather is windy or when there is a chance of rain.
3. Only water your lawn. Concrete sidewalks, driveways, streets and gutters don’t grow grass. This may require adjusting your sprinklers or watering some areas by hand.
4. Do not over water your lawn. This means watching for and avoiding runoff.
5. Water your lawn no more than every three to five days. Watering more often is not beneficial and in fact may harm your lawn.
6. During the summer, accept a “less-than-perfect” lawn. Brown grass only means that the grass has become dormant, and extra watering will not help it to green up.
7. Use mulch around plants and flowers. The mulch reduces evaporation and helps to keep water near the plant roots where water is most beneficial.
8. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation where possible.
9. Practice xeriscaping. This method of landscape design uses plants that are natural to your area and naturally drought resistant.
10. Replace grasses with groundcover whenever possible. Groundcover requires much less water than lawn grasses.
11. Mow the lawn as infrequently as possible, and set the mower on the highest setting. Cutting the grass too short causes stress during the summer heat by forcing the roots to work harder and use more water form the soil.
12. Remove weeds from your lawn. Weeds rob the lawn moisture and nutrients.
13. Use a bucket to wash the car, and use a hose with a shut-off nozzle.
14. Sweep or blow your driveway and sidewalk clean. Do not use water from a hose to remove litter and debris.
15. Check all outside faucets and hoses for leaks, and promptly repair any leaks.
16. Cover your swimming pool. Covering significantly reduces evaporation and subsequent need to refill the pool.

How can a student volunteer to work in the area of groundwater conservation in the region?

The best thing that students can do for groundwater conservation is to set a good example, both for their peers and their elders, by practicing groundwater conservation. Students of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Why was it necessary for the Louisiana Legislature to appropriate $480,000 of tax revenue to develop a computer model of the Chicot Aquifer when there are existing models that are well documented and have features needed to simulate the Chicot Aquifer?

The funding for the modeling of the Chicot Aquifer was made available directly to the Louisiana Geological Survey. One may wish to contact them directly at the following address:

Chacko John, Director
Louisiana Geological Survey
P.O. Box G
University Station
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70893

Do you see the need for hands-on participation by citizens of Louisiana regarding conservation and responsible use of groundwater resources? If yes, what are some recommendations for citizen participation?

Yes. See the answers to the first two questions above. Practicing water conservation and water conservation education are perhaps the two main ways that the citizens can participate.

Does the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources have a program for conservation of groundwater resources by municipal systems and by agricultural interests?

No, not at the present time. However, Act 466 of the 2001 Louisiana Legislature created the Groundwater Management Commission in the Governor’s Office and assigned Office of Conservation in the Department of Natural Resources to serve as staff to the Commission. The Commission is responsible fore the determination of critical groundwater areas, providing use guidelines for groundwater areas where new wells would result in creation of a critical area, developing a contingency plan to respond to emergency situations resulting in loss of water sources, adopting regulations for implementation and ensuring that technical data and written recommendations of the Louisiana Geological Survey are considered. The Commission may appoint local bodies representative of current water users to function in an advisory capacity. If so appointed, any decisions of the Commission may only be made with the advise and consultation of the local bodies that may be impacted.

As water shortages in Texas are worsened by population growth in the Houston area, are current Louisiana state laws sufficient to prevent municipalities or industries in Southwest Louisiana from aggressively drilling in Louisiana to transport water to Texas?

With the exceptions of wells for private domestic use and replacement wells, Act 446 of the Louisiana Legislature requires owners of water wells to notify the Office of Conservation sixth days prior to drilling any new water well. Information that must be provided includes location of the well, depth of the well, and the projected capacity of the well. The Commission shall provide use guidelines where the drilling of new wells could result in a critical groundwater area.

Please contact Mr. Jim Marchand (225/342-0410), Special Assistant for Environmental Affairs with the Governor’s Office, for further clarification on current water law in Louisiana.