Live near a mine and want to know if your water is safe? Check out this study

Want to know how lithium mining has impacted your water?

Researchers at Duke University are conducting a water quality study in North Carolina lithium mining regions, which includes Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties where lithium-rich rocks are known to exist.

According to Avner Vengosh Research Group, the primary outcomes of this research will be to understand the natural background water quality as well as to develop an understanding if historic mining had an impact on local water quality. This work will take a geochemical approach to understanding where and how any contaminants come from.

Over the next few weeks, researchers will be collecting groundwater samples in the county for information on the occurrence of trace metals in groundwaters around lithium deposits and from historic mining while establishing the natural background levels.

Here's six things to know about the groundwater quality study of the North Carolina lithium mining region:

Who is eligible to participate?

Local residents with private wells who are willing to participate in the study can check if their home/well fall within the study boundaries and fill out a survey.

According to the map, the study area includes from Lincolnton to Kings Mountain and all the way to Grover at the South Carolina border.

The map and all survey information can be found at duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_07n8Q2LOIJoszIy.

What does sampling involve?

The water sampling process will require that researchers have access to water from the well, either directly from a spigot on the well head or from a spigot on the house (water that has not gone through any filtration) and will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to flush the well so that 500 mL of fresh groundwater can be sampled. This can be done either with or without a resident’s supervision as long as information on well/spigot location and permission are provided.

Samples will be taken back to the Duke University lab where they will be analyzed for a variety of trace and major metals. Approximately 4 to 6 weeks after sampling, resident will receive a report on their water quality with reference to the EPA drinking water quality standards (https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations). A list of the parameters that will be measured can be found below.

What will happen with the information collected?

The data collected from the sampling will remain confidential, and the water quality information will not be publicly connected to any individual or property. The findings from the study, including the data, will be published without identifying information or the specific location. These findings will be used to establish natural background water quality as well as develop methods to determine if water quality has been affected by historic lithium mining.

What else should people be aware of?

Testing water quality may reveal potential water quality issues such as elevated concentrations of trace or heavy metals. This knowledge may cause undue distress and as such it will be at the discretion of the participant if they want to receive the information about their water quality.

Water quality parameters that will be tested: pH, Alkalinity (HCO3–), Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Fluoride, Chloride, Bromide, Nitrate, Sulfate, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Aluminum, Vanadium, Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Arsenic, Selenium, Strontium, Molybdenum, Silver, Cadmium, Antimony, Barium, Thallium, Lead, Thorium, Uranium.

Who is conducting the study?

An environmental geochemistry research lab at Duke University that has historically focused on understanding how natural and human caused contaminants have entered the environment. Much of the lab’s work in the past has focused on the impacts of energy production and fossil fuel usage on water quality. This project will primarily be conducted by Gordon Williams, a graduate student in the department of Earth and Climate Sciences, and Professor Avner Vengosh who leads the lab and research activities. More information can be found at the lab website: https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/avnervengosh/

Understanding your water quality report

The object of providing water quality reports to homeowners is to prove information on their water. These reports may provide adverse information such as an exceedance of one or more elements relative to the EPA drinking water standards.

Anyone with questions can contact Gordon Williams at gordon.williams@duke.edu. and Avner Vengosh at vengosh@duke.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Water quality study being conducted in local lithium mining areas