Total Dissolved Solids in Monongahela River Drop
Significantly Below State, Federal Limits
DEP to Continue Monitoring Levels, Taking Samples
<LOCATION>, , <CHRO /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of
Environmental Protection confirmed today that levels of total dissolved solids, or TDS,
in the Monongahela River have dropped and remain well below state and
federal guidelines.
Three weeks of laboratory data on water samples from the river found TDS
levels below the 500 parts per million criteria established by the department
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The latest results from Three w
recorded levels ranging from 110 ppm to 196 ppm.
In comparison, lab results for water samples collected on In comp, when the
highest TDS levels were detected, ranged from 438 ppm to 908 ppm.
Unusually high TDS levels were first detected on Unusually high TDS le at
points along approximately 70 stream miles on the Monongahela River between the
at points al border and the confluence of the Youghiogheny and the
Monongahela rivers in , , <LOCATION>Allegheny .
By November, high TDS levels were detected as far north as "The By No" in "
in <LOCA, where the , meets the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River.
DEP will continue to monitor the United States Geological Survey river
gauges for conductivity, which is a far less expensive and time consuming
alternative to lab analyses. If conductivity levels increase significantly, DEP may
resume sampling.
In addition, DEP is working with water suppliers through the River Alert and
Information Network to develop a regional water quality monitoring system.
While elevated levels of TDS do not represent a major human health risk, TDS
can affect the taste and odor of drinking water. For that reason, secondary
maximum contaminant levels of 500 parts per million were established for the
commonwealth's drinking water and waterways.
TDS is a measure of all elements dissolved in water and can include
carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Sources of TDS can include abandoned mine drainage, stormwater runoff, waste
water from gas well drilling and discharges from industrial or sewage
treatment plants.
CONTACT:
Helen Humphreys
(412) 442-4183
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