According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey report, almost 95% of the samples collected from the Grand Canyon region show that the uranium concentration is within the range set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"Our ongoing groundwater monitoring efforts provide information to make sure this critical resource in the American Southwest meets EPA standards and is available," said Fred Tillman, USGS research hydrologist.
Groundwater in the Grand Canyon region supports many people in the area.
"Many local communities, including the Havasupai and Hualapai Nations and Grand Canyon National Park, depend on it for all their water needs," Tillman said in the release.
The Grand Canyon is home to some of the best uranium ore in the entire United States, and since 2014, USGS has been studying the effects of uranium mining on groundwater quality. Between the time span of September 1981 and October 2020, 573 water samples were collected by the USGS from 26 wells and 180 springs.
Of more than 200 groundwater locations sampled, 195 had observed uranium concentrations below the federal maximum drinking water standard. The highest concentrations of uranium in the region were discovered in the Orphan Mine inside the Grand Canyon National Park. The researchers are currently looking into the various changes in water chemistry due to this level of concentration and whether the mine has anything to do with it.
Since 1981 the USGS has collected groundwater chemistry samples in the Grand Canyon region. It has done so to understand the current groundwater quality, monitor changes, and quality. It also sought to identify "hot spots" with increased metal concentrations.
Individuals interested in exploring groundwater uranium levels in the Grand Canyon can do so at an interactive map from the U.S. Geological Survey.
