Water Quality in the Des Plaines River Near the Pheasant Run Landfill in Bristol, Wisconsin

Abstract

Water quality monitoring studies are necessary in order to manage sources of pollution and maintain water that is safe for humans and the environment. The Pheasant Run Landfill, located in Bristol, Wisconsin, is positioned near the Des Plaines River and its tributary Brighton Creek. The landfill is located on soil that is not suitable for landfills and poses a risk for contamination of nearby bodies of water. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and chloride ion concentrations were taken in the Des Plaines River upstream from the landfill, downstream from the landfill and upstream from the landfill in Brighton Creek to determine if the landfill is contaminating the Des Plaines River Dissolved oxygen percent saturation was significantly lower downstream than upstream, pH and chloride concentrations were significantly higher downstream than upstream and conductivity was not significantly different. Further research could be done to establish more certainty that the differences in chemical properties are the result of the landfill polluting the river and no other sources, but this research suggests that the landfill is likely contributing to the contamination of the river.