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Wellhead Protection: a Guide for Small Communities

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Wellhead Protection: a Guide for Small Communities i 33.573 PaF EPA/625/R-93/002 February 1993 SEMI NAR PUBLI CAT1 ON WELLHEAD PROTECTION: A GUIDE FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICE OFRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF SCIENCE, PLANNING AND REGULATORY EVALUATION CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INFORMATION CINCINNATI, OH 45268 OFFICE OF WATER OFFICE OF GROUND WATER AND DRINKING WATER GROUND WATER PROTECTION DIVISION WASHINGTON, DC 20460 Recycled/Recyclable Printed on paper that contains at least 50% recycled fiber ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people contributed their expertise to the preparation and review of this publication. The document was prepared by Eastern Research Group, Inc. Overall technical guidance was provided by Tom Belk, U.S. EPA Ground Water Protection Division; Dr. James E. Smith, Jr., U.S. EPA Center for Environmental Research Information; and John Trax, U.S. EPA Ground Water Protection Division. The following people also provided substantial guidance and review: Randy Anderson, National Rural Water Association Marilyn Ginsberg, U.S. EPA Ground Water Protection Division Janette Hansen, U.S. EPA Ground Water Protection Division Scott Horsley, Horsley and Witten, Inc. Chuck Jeffs, Rural Water Association of Utah Jill Jonas, Wisconsin Rural Water Association John Lukin, Northeast Rural Water Association Jane Marshall, U.S. EPA Ground Water Protection Division Appreciation is also expressed to the following individuals for their assistance and input: John Bokor, Idaho Rural Water Association Maggie Clover, Iowa Rural Water Association Chet Fleming, West Virginia Rural Water Association Danny Foreman, Arkansas Rural Water Association Ray Fuss, Georgia Rural Water Association Richard Kunde, Michigan Rural Water Association Judy Muehl, Pennsylvania Rural Water Association Tom Taylor, Louisiana Rural Water Association Clem Wethington, Kentucky Rural Water Association ii CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................... 1 Chapter 2 Ground Water Fundamentals ..................................... 5 The Hydrologic Cycle ............................................. 5 Aquifers .................................................... 5 Confined and Unconfined Aquifers .................................. 5 Fractured and Carbonate Rock Aquifers ............................... 6 Recharge of Aquifers .......................................... 6 Ground Water Movement ........................................... 7 Chapter 3 Ground Water Contamination ..................................... 9 How Ground Water Becomes Contaminated ................................. 9 Sources of Ground Water Contamination ................................... 10 Natural Sources ............................................ 10 Septic Systems ............................................. 10 Disposal of Hazardous Materials ................................... 10 Chemical Storage and Spills ...................................... 11 Landfills ................................................ 14 Surface Impoundments ........................................ 14 Sewers and Other Pipelines ...................................... 14 Pesticide and Fertilizer Use ...................................... 14 Improperly Constructed Wells ..................................... 15 Highway Deicing ............................................ 16 Mining Activities ............................................ 17 Effects of Ground Water Contamination ................................... 17 Degradation or Destruction of the Water Supply ........................... 17 Costs of Cleaning Up Contaminated Ground Water ......................... 17 Costs of Alternative Water Supplies .................................. 17 Potential Health Problems ....................................... 17 Regulations to Protect Ground Water ............................... .. 18 The Safe Drinking Water Act ..................................... 18 The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ............................ 19 State Programs and Regulations to Protect Ground Water ...................... 23 ..... ___ iii Chapter 4 The Five-Step Process for Wellhead Protection ........................... 25 STEP ONE-Form a Community Planning Team .............................. 25 Developing Community Representation ................................ 25 Selecting the Team Leader ....................................... 26 Defining the Goals and Objectives of the Project ........................... 26 Informing the Public .......................................... 26 STEP TWO-Delineate the Wellhead Protection Area ........................... -26 Reasons for Delineating a Wellhead Protection Area ......................... 26 Sources of Information ......................................... 26 Methods for Delineating a Wellhead Protection Area ......................... 37 Hiring a Consultant ........................................... 47 STEP THREE-Identify and Locate Potential Sources of Contamination ..................48 Divide the Wellhead Protection Area into Different Land-Use Categories ..............48 Review Potential Sources of Contamination .............................. 48 Identify Activities within the Wellhead Protection Area That Are Potential Sources of Contamination . 56 Plot the Potential Sources of Contamination on a Map ........................ 57 Evaluate the Degree of Threat Each Source Poses .......................... 57 STEP FOUR-Manage the Wellhead Protection Area ............................ 58 Non-regulatory Management Strategies ................................ 58 Regulatory Management Strategies .................................. 63 STEP FIVE-Plan for the Future ....................................... 65 Review the Wellhead Protection Plan Yearly ............................. 65 Identify Future Problems and Develop Solutions ........................... 65 Develop a Contingency Plan for Alternate Water Supplies ...................... 65 Conclusion ............................................... 66 Chapter 5 Case Studies ............................................... 67 CASE STUDY ONE: Hill. New Hampshire. Water Works .......................... 67 Description of Hill ............................................ 67 Overview of Wellhead Protection Issues ................................ 67 Approach Used to Form a Community Planning Team ........................ 67 Approach Used to Delineate the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 68 Approach Used to Identify and Locate Potential Sources of contamination .............68 Approach Used to Manage the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 68 Approach Used to Plan for the Future ................................. 74 Conclusion ............................................... 74 CASE STUDY TWO: Village of Cottage Grove. Wisconsin ......................... 75 Description of Cottage Grove ..................................... 75 Overview of Well head Protection Issues ................................ 75 Approach Used to Form a Community Planning Team ........................ 75 Approach Used to Delineate the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 75 Approach Used to Identify and Locate Potential Sources of Contamination .............78 Approach Used to Manage the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 78 Approach Used to Plan for the Future ................................. 87 Conclusion ............................................... 87 iv CASE STUDY THREE: Enid. Oklahoma ................................... 88 Description of Enid ...........................................88 Approach Used to Form a Community Planning Team ........................ 88 Approach Used to Delineate the Wellhead Protection Area ..................... 88 Approach Used to Identify and Locate Potential Sources of Contamination .............92 Approach Used to Manage the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 92 Approach Used to Plan for the Future ................................. 95 Conclusion ............................................... 95 CASE STUDY FOUR: Descanso Community Water District. San Diego County. California ........96 ___ Description of the Descanso Community Water District ....................... 96 Overview of Wellhead Protection Issues ............................... 97 Approach Used to Form a Community Planning Team ........................ 98 Approach Used to Delineate the Wellhead Protection Area ..................... 99 Approach Used to Identify and Locate Potential Sources of Contamination ............ 101 Approach Used to Manage the Wellhead Protection Area ..................... 101 Approach Used to Plan for the Future ................................ 103 Conclusion .............................................. 104 Chapter 6 Resources for Additional Information ................................ 105 1. Publications ................................................ 105 Tecbnical Guides to Ground Water Contamination and Wellhead Protection (including STEP ONE-Forming a Community Planning Team) ...................... 105 STEP TWO-Delineating the Wellhead Protection Area ...................... 106 STEP THREE-Identifying Sources of Contamination ....................... 107 STEPS FOUR AND FIVE-Managing the Wellhead Protection Area and Planning for the Future . 107 2 . Federal. State. and Local Agencies ................................... 109 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ............................... 109 Other Federal Agencies ....................................... 110 State Agencies ...........................................
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