Dedicated Groundwater Monitoring Network

The Water Monitoring Section of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources started the Dedicated Groundwater Monitoring Network to improve their ability to monitor frequently used aquifers across the state. These wells are solely dedicated to monitoring groundwater quality in aquifers used by citizens and municipalities. The first well nest of 3 wells was drilled in May 2001 into the Mississippian Aquifer at Briggs Woods Park in Hamilton County. In January 2002, a second well nest of 5 wells was completed in the Mississippian Aquifer at Rutland Marsh in Humboldt County. Another well nest of 3 wells was completed in February 2003 in the Silurian Aquifer at Westfield Elementary School near the city of Robins in Linn County.

The Briggs Woods and Rutland Marsh wells have been sample for water quality three times, while the Westfield wells have been sampled once. These wells have already generated valuable information on these primary aquifers and will continue to be sampled as often as possible. New dedicated wells will be drilled in the future to investigate other frequently used aquifers