£EPA
Region III
EPA 903-B-98-001
November 1998
PROTECTING YOUR WATERSHED
THROUGH A
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
AND PROTECTION PLAN
A "HOW-TO" WORKBOOK
FOR COMMUNITIES AND WATERSHED GROUPS
EPA Report Collection
Regional Center for Environmental Information
U.S. EPA Region III
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Regional Center for En\ ironmcntdl lutonnation
US EPA Region III
1S50 Arch i>t
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Protecting your watershed through a source water assessment and
protection : a "how-to" workbook for communities and watershed groups /
United States Environmental Protection Agency,
1998
EPA 903-6-98-001
48512547
Watershed managementHandbooks, manuals, etc ; Water quality
managementhandbooks, manuals, etc ; Water quality Measurement
40 p. ; 28 cm.
LIBRARY CALL NUMBER LOCATION
EJAD EPA 903/6-98-001 Region 3 Library/Philadelphia, PA
"EPA 903-6-98-001." "November 1998."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Region III.
Philadelphia, PA :
"How-to" workbook for communities and watershed groups.
1998.
LIBRARY Date Modified
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Protecting Your Watershed
Through A Source Water Assessment
I and Protection Plan
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I A "How To" Workbook
- For
Communities And Watershed Groups
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| United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Drinking Water Branch (3WP22)
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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INTRODUCTION
This workbook was developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Spotts Stevens and McCoy, Inc.
(Reading, Pennsylvania) as a guide for communities and
watershed groups, with limited financial resources, to
develop and implement an assessment and protection plan
for existing and new drinking watersheds. This publication
is meant as a workbook, it is meant for you to use,
please write in it and mark it up.
Groundwater protection is an important part of source water
protection, but in most cases, groundwater fundamentals
and groundwater protection are not covered in this
workbook. It is recommended that readers refer to the
state wellhead protection program for information regarding
groundwater protection. Proper implementation of this
workbook would include the implementation of a wellhead
protection plan where applicable.
This workbook has been developed as a companion to The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidebook entitled
"State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs
Guidance - Final Guidance".
Source water assessment is achieved through identifying
the various components, influences and possible
contamination areas for a water source. This workbook
serves as a guide for assessing a water source and then
providing the proper steps for protection of the source.
The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to all publicly or
privately owned water systems having more than 15 or
more service connections and/or serving at least 25 people.
Water systems will be required to meet the 1996 Safe
Drinking Water Act Amendments which have incorporated
source water protection through the use of source water
assessment and protection. The goal of the Environmental
Protection Agency is that "by the year 2005, 50 percent of
the population served by community water systems will
receive their water from systems with Source Water
Protection (SWP) programs in place under both Wellhead
Protection (WHP) and watershed protection programs."
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AS A WATER PROVIDER OR WATER USER OF A WATERSHED
| ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OR CONCERNED ABOUT...
YES NO
Serving good quality water LJ LJ
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Receiving good quality water LJ LJ
Protecting your water supply LJ LJ
I Identifying where your water supply comes from LJ LJ
Knowing sources of potential contamination LJ LJ
Recognizing management tools for small LJ LJ
drinking water systems
Avoiding expensive source water treatment LJ LJ
Providing low-impact public use for recreation LJ LJ
and education
Other: D D
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| ...AS THESE RELATE TO YOUR COMMUNITY
WATERSHED?
I IF YOU ANSWERED ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS WITH
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1 YES,
| PLEASE READ ON.
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I Cg^OJr*S WE'RE INTERESTED BUT...
I U^iir^l^ WHAT CAN WE DO?
I II I ^fjl WHA T SHOULD WE DO?
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TO PROTECT THE SOURCE WATER WE USE FOR...
...drinking
...bathing
...cooking
^L ...washing clothes
^^^V ...recreation
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I ONE APPROACH IS TO DEVELOP A. . .
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SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
AND PROTECTION PROGRAM
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HOW DO WE DO THIS?
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THERE ARE 7 BASIC STEPS TO SOURCE WATER
ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION
STEP 1 - FORM A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM
STEP 2 - DELINEATE THE WATERSHED TO BE PROTECTED
STEP 3 - REVIEW THE ZONING SURROUNDING THE WATERSHED
STEP 4 - IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
STEP 5 - IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
STEP 6 - MANAGE THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
STEP 7 - PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
ALL SEVEN STEPS REQUIRE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!!
THIS IS THE MOST CRITICAL STEP TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOURCE
WATER ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PLAN.
It may be easier to begin Step 2 first to gain support and awareness through education.
Completing this workbook will put you on the road to protecting your watershed for yourself
and for future generations.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACTII
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! STEP1:
I GETTING STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY PUNNING TEAM
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Implementation of a plan requires someone to take action - WHY NOT YOU!
Once a need for a watershed protection plan is realized, a few initial contacts and
discussions can quickly locate others with similar interests. Using the following page, jot
down names, phone numbers, and addresses of others you think may be interested in
watershed protection through source water assessment and protection and... CALL THEM
NOW!!
WHO SHOULD YOU CALL??
Any number of people and organizations may be interested in participating in this activity,
including...
local government
planning/zoning
state regulatory agencies
water departments
agricultural community
industry
conservation/environmental groups
schools
civic/community organizations
developers
watershed advisory groups
lake associations
teachers
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO...
If the watershed for your system is located in multiple municipalities, it is essential that you
invite all municipalities. Even if there is little cooperation between the municipalities on
other issues, a watershed protection plan will indirectly affect and benefit individually the
municipalities surrounding the watershed as well as your own. This is a critical step in
effectively organizing and implementing a plan of action.
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INITIAL CONTACTS AND DISCUSSIONS
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
A
WHO?
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS, PHONE, FAX
AND EMAIL NUMBERS
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DEVELOP INTEREST
After making the initial telephone contacts, call for an informal meeting of all interested
parties. Make this a broad-ranging meeting, which further develops interests in watershed
protection planning for your community.
Use the following page as guide to organize your meeting.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS:
Recent water quality problems
Development in the surrounding watershed area
Potential contamination threats
How to organize
Sources of assistance
What information do we have
Who else may be interested
- include advocate peers with tlie group to offset opponents (e.g. a farmer who
favors protection balanced with a farmer who opposes anti-protection)
Budget
Assignments
Staff capabilities
Volunteer capabilities
Discussion of local water sources
What are the perceived needs of the communities
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INFORMAL MEETING TO DETERMINE INTEREST
INTEREST! ENTHUSIASM!
_ CONTINUE WITH NEXT PAGE
NO INTEREST! APATHY!
GO TO PAGE 37
m ORGANIZER:
WHO IS ATTENDING?
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LOCATION
AGENDA ITEMS:
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- REFRESHMENTS:.
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ADDRESS THE BASIC ISSUES
If watershed protection is of interest, begin the meeting by discussing the basic issues.
Don't get bogged down in the details at this point. Several meetings may be needed as
the idea of watershed protection becomes more focused on your specific needs.
Solutions to the issues at hand will take time. Each situation will require specific attention
due to the varied personalities, interests, problems, constraints, and opportunities. Take
one step at a time.
USE THE NEXT TWO PAGES TO
KEEP SIMPLE MINUTES OF YOUR
FIRST MEETING.
DO WE NEED OUTSIDE RESOURCES?
POSSIBLY.
Experience elsewhere has shown that watershed protection planning must have a good
technical and legal basis. There are many things your planning team can do, but two
resources that can provide valuable assistance include a hydrologist to determine the
watershed area delineation and a lawyer to provide direction on the management tools.
The lawyer could very likely by your municipality's solicitor or a combination of solicitors
from the various municipalities. The hydrologist may be a consultant from a local college
or government agency.
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MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING
KEY ITEMS DISCUSSED
OUR GOALS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
NOW, MOVE TO IMPLEMENTATION
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THINGS TO DO NEXT
WHAT?
WHO?
WHEN?
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THE WATERSHED PROTECTION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE:
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE/F AX/EMAIL
(W)/(H)
REPRESENTING
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STEP2:
DEFINE THE WATERSHED PROTECTION AREA
A watershed is the topographic boundary area that is within the perimeter of a catchment
area of a stream or the collection of streams, lakes, rivers. A watershed can be influenced
by either groundwater and/or surface water.
The primary goal of source water protection (SWP)
under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to:
Prevent the contamination of and maintaining
good quality drinking water supplies,
by reducing or preventing chemical and microbiological
contamination of source waters and
avoiding costly treatment
and monitoring requirements.
Defining the watershed is the key technical step in watershed protection planning, and
should be based on a reasonably sound approach in the event of challenges to the area
defined for source water protection. This is the critical step where a hydrologist may be
able to help you.
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I BASICS:
| TO BEGIN DEFINING THE WATERSHED AREA
1 . Do we have a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map(s) that is likely to
cover our watershed? If not, obtain one. (To buy maps look under Maps in the
telephone book yellow pages; hunting and fishing stores may also have these.) A
geographical information system (GIS) may be used in some cases in place of
m USGS maps.
a Yes a No
M 2. Is there a drawing showing any previous studies?
a Yes a No
£ 3. Is hydrologic information for our area available through the USGS or .a local college?
n Yes n NO
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14. Can we accurately identify the drainage area for our watershed from the maps or
GIS or we will have a hydrologist complete this?
| D Yes a No
5. Do we have zoning maps and ordinances for the area likely under consideration?
Yes n No
PROCEED TO THE MEXT PAGE
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IF DATA AND THE ABILITY TO DELINEATE OR
FUNDS FOR A HYDROLOGIST ARE AVAILABLE.
1. Obtain the necessary maps or the GIS file.
2. Have a hydrologist delineate the watershed or complete this task using the following
guidelines:
a. Find topographic high points surrounding your ground/surface water source
and construct a line that connects these points (See Example).
b. The line created will identify the boundary of the watershed including any
wells, where the slope of the land slopes into or away from the surface water
source.
c. Field check your watershed delineation by driving/walking the area boundary.
3. For the use of a USGS map, obtain clear mylar drawing sheets from a drafting or
artist's supply store. Place the mylar over the USGS map and trace the watershed
as defined above. This will be the foundation for your watershed mapping.
4. If a GIS exists, maps will be able to be produced by using the computer.
THIS WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BASIC MAPS, INCLUDING THE WATERSHED
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA.
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STEP*
REVIEW THE CURRENT PROVISIONS OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Review the local planning (zoning and related ordinances) and provisions of local
government to evaluate what protection or potential hazards may already exist for your
delineated watershed.
Address the following nuestions:
1. What are the current zoning requirements for the
watershed? What zoning already exists to protect the
watershed area?
2. What are the conditional land uses in the watershed? Are
there any detrimental land uses already in practice.
3. What are the municipalities long-range plans for the area
surrounding and including the watershed? Are there any
future plans that may affect or be within the watershed
delineation?
4. What other provisions already exist that support Source
Water Protection, such as Wellhead Protection (WHP) and
other regulatory issues?
5. What are the other options that exist for protection of the
watershed, such as nutrient management, Wellhead
Protection, Best Management Practice's (BMP's) and other
voluntary issues?
CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE WITH STEP 4
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STEP4:
HOW TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
Once the watershed area has been delineated, the next step is to identify natural features
that may need special attention. A list of natural features are as follows:
1 . STEEP SLOPES WHERE EROSION MAY OCCUR. THIS MAY VARY
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF VEGETATION.
2. UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS ^
,-s^. if f
3. HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES i
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St
above-mentioned
features, and that some features may have a larger affect on one watershed than another.
Combinations of features may also be found. For example, relatively
slopes may present no influence on a watershed, but the same slope
allow for the passage of pesticides into the watershed.
A personal walking tour of your watershed should provide the location
steep vegetated
unvegetated may
of many of these
features. Information regarding critical areas should be added to your map for future use.
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Sources of information regarding critical areas include:
Natural Resource Conservation Service
Cooperative Extension Service
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Local Governments
U.S. Geologic Survey
Precipitation data and stream records can be retrieved from the USGS for reviewing
flooding and storm water concerns.
AN ON-SITE REVIEW OF THE
CONDITION OF CRITICAL AREAS DURING STORMS
PROVIDE A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
ON WHICH AREAS ARE MOST AFFECTED.
SEE PAGE 20 FOR A SAMPLE INVENTORY.
Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy
extra copies or make photocopies), draw
your source water protection area on the map
and using the inventory sheet on the next
page, prepare an inventory of critical areas
for your watershed. Use a separate sheet to
organize names, addresses, and phone
numbers, where you can obtain these.
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PROGRAM INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CRITICAL AREAS
DIRECTIONS: Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the watershed
protection area. Delineate the feature on the map and place the corresponding number at
the location of the feature. If there are more than one source for a category, label each
site with the number and a letter (e.g. multiple wetlands would be 10A, 10B, 10C, etc.).
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1. STEEP SLOPES
2. UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
3. HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
4. SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
I 5. HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
6. FORESTS
* 7. WILDLIFE AREAS
8. STREAMS AND RIVERBANKS
9. FLOODPLAINS
jj (Typically 50 feet from the top of bank, if no other data are available).
10. WETLANDS
* 11. FARMLAND
t 12. OTHER (SPECIFY)
Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to a
second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area defined.
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STEPS:
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
After the critical areas have been identified and delineated, the next step is to identify the
potential sources of contamination. Remember these are potential threats to water quality.
The best approach is to look at water quality data including pollutants and existing and
projected land uses. Whether a potential threat becomes an actual one is determined in
part by the type of activity. This includes whether it enters the watershed, its concentration
and its duration.
There are many potential sources of source water contamination, including many routine
activities that we may not necessarily think of as being possible sources of contamination.
THE FOLLOWING PAGE IDENTIFIES
SEVERAL TYPES OF SOURCES OF
SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION AND
IS FROM EPA'S REGION III
WELLHEAD PROTECTION HANDBOOK
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TABLE 1 - COMMON SOURCES OF SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION
AGRICULTURAL
Animal burial areas
Animal feedlots
Chemical storage areas
COMMERCIAL
Airport
Auto repair shops
Boat yard
Construction Areas
Car Washes
Cemeteries
Dry cleaning establishments
Gas stations
Golf courses (chemical application)
Jewelry and metal plating
Laundromats
INDUSTRIAL
Asphalt plants
Chemical manufacture, warehousing, and
distribution activities
Electrical and electronic products and
manufacturing
Electroplaters and metal fabricators
Foundries
Fire training facilities
Machine and metal working shops
Manufacturing and distribution for cleaning
supplies
Mining (surface and underground) and mine
drainage
RESIDENTIAL
Fuel storage systems
Furniture and wood strippers and finishers
Household hazardous products
Residential lawns (chemical application)
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Hazardous waste management units (e.g.,
landfills, land treatment areas, surface
impoundment's, waste piles, incinerators,
treatment tanks)
Municipal incinerators
Municipal landfills
Irrigation
Manure spreading and pesticides
Pesticides and fertilizers
Medical institutions
Paint shops
Photography establishments/printers
Railroad tracks and yard/maintenance
Research laboratories
Road deicing operations (e.g. road salt)
Scarp and junkyards
Storage tanks and pipe (i.e. above-ground,
below-ground, underground)
Petroleum products production, storage and
distribution centers
Pipelines (e.g. oil, gas, coal, slurry)
Septage lagoons and sludge
Storage tanks (i.e. above ground, below-ground,
underground)
Toxic and hazardous spills
Wells - Operating and abandoned (e.g. oil, gas,
water supply, injection, monitoring, and
exploration)
Wood Preserving facilities
Septic systems, cesspools, water softeners
Sewer lines
Swimming Pools
Municipal wastewater and sewer lines
Open burning sites
Recycling and reduction facilities
Stormwater drains, retention basins, transfer
stations
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PREPARING YOUR INVENTORY
These are the likely sources of information, to begin the inventory for your source water
protection plan.
1. Contact the local department of environmental protection or health
department for sources subject to certain federal and state laws.
This may require contacting a number of different programs within an environmental
department or health department as well as individuals time to review files.
2. Surf the Internet
Many internet sites now exist that provide information on a number of source water
issues. Typical sites include local, state and federal, as well as private
organizations. Two key source water sites developed by EPA include:
EPA site for Toxic Release Inventory (TRi)
www.epa.gov/enviro/html/tris/tris.query.java.html
EPA site for surfing a watershed
www.epa.gov/nwapsurf/text.html
3. Utilize a Data Service
There are a number of data services that compile information on facilities and
sources where environmental problems have occurred or are subject to certain
federal and state laws. These services can provide an extensive amount of data,
including maps, usually within 7 to 10 days of a request. The cost of these services
typically range from $100 to $150 depending on the amount and type of data
requested. These services can be obtained through use of the internet.
4. Your Planning Committee (and other helpers)
Although a data service can provide you with some important information, there are
many local activities you will have to identify yourself; for example, cemeteries. In
addition to your committee, other organizations may be interested in assisting with
the inventory. In other areas, senior citizen, civic, and environmental groups have
helped prepare these inventories.
No special training is required. What is needed is enthusiasm, common sense and
some general direction as to what to look for, such as the activities on the next
page. Be sure to include long-time residents of an area who will know past land
uses and possible sources of historical problems.
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Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy extra copies or make photocopies),
draw your source water protection area on the map and using the inventory sheet on
the next page, prepare an inventory for your area. Use a separate sheet to organize
names, addresses, and phone numbers, where you can obtain these.
Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to
a second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area
defined.
SEE SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM ON PAGE 25 FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES.
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INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION SOORCES
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES
SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM
Inventory Person:
A. Landowners Name:
B. Address:
C. Phone Number:
D. City:
E. County:
Description of Location:
Zip Code:
Residential
City Gov't Site
Commercial
State Gov't Site
Nature of Property
Agricultural _
Rental
Industrial
Other
DIRECTIONS: Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the source water protection area. Place
the corresponding number on the map at the location of the source. If there is more than one source for a
category, label each site with the number and a letter (e.g., multiple cemeteries would be 7A, 7B, 7C, etc.)
1._Abandoned Wells
2._Aboveground Storage Tank
3._Airport
4._Animal Feedlot/Waste Storage
5._Asphalt Plant
6._Auto Repair/Body Shop/Salvage Washes
7._Cemetery
8.__Cesspool
9._Chemical Production/Mixing/Storage
10._Dry Cleaners
11 ,_Electroplaters/Metal Finishers
12._Farm/Pnvate Dumps
13._Fertilizer/Pesticide Storage/ProductionMixing
14._Golf Course
15._Grain Storage Bin
16._Highway
17._Holdmg Pond/Lagoon
18._lndustnal (other-Identify):
19._lnjection Well
20._lrrigation Practices
21._Landfi!l
22._Laboratories
23._Machine Shop
24._Mining(Quarry)
25._Oil/Gas Pipelines
26._Photo Processors
27._Printers
28._Railroad
29._Refinishing
30._Road Salt Storage
31._Septic Systems
32._Service/Gas Stations
33._Sewage Plant
34.__Underground Storage Tank
35._Waste Piles
36._Water Well
37._Wood Preserving
38._Other (specify)
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STEP 6:
MANAGING THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
Up to this point you have collected or created a lot of information. In this step, you will
make an assessment on how you will use this information. You will likely need the advice
and assistance of your attorney. You may also find the assistance of other professionals,
such as planners, very useful.
You will basically be making a decision on how to proceed with protecting the source water
watershed area in this step. This decision may range from "Do Nothing" to a very
aggressive protection program, as well as many variations in between.
TYPICAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
FALL INTO TWO CATAGORIES:
NON-REGULATORY AND REGULATORY TOOLS
THE FIRST CATEGORY IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT THE START OF A
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM AND IS RELATIVELY EASY
TO BEGIN!
Non-regulatory
Voluntary - school students and senior citizens provide an excellent source energy
and resources for educating the public and the collection of information.
Education - public education is an important part of the program and is covered in
more detail on page 29.
Monitoring - typical monitoring plans include emergency telephone number listings
and emergency telephone chains for possible upstream contaminant sources.
Other plans include sharing of industrial monitoring well data and the development
of additional monitoring wells at possible contaminant locations.
Adopting best management practices for
critical areas listed previously
Land Acquisition of critical areas of protection.
Schools - contact local schools and aid in the
development of school programs that involve
students in source water protection programs.
Students can provide almost a limitless supply of
enthusiasm and energy for your project.
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Community Senior Citizens - involve local citizens of the community in the process.
Older citizens of the community are aware of many of the past practices of the area
and provide a valuable source of historical information.
Certain Legislative tools may also be available
Regulatory
Health - guidelines are typically associated with regional health departments.
Zoning and ordinances - local governing bodies may develop to enforce
management practices.
Subdivision control - a method of controlling size, location and type of subdivisions
that may have adverse affects on the watershed including sewer and storm water
issues.
Buffer Zones - designate vegetated buffer zones and/or Water Supply Overlay
Protection Zones.
Performance-Based Zoning - holds individuals creating the drinking water impact
responsible for addressing the problems.
Urban Runoff Control - "Zero Runoff Ordinances" - provides treatment for runoff
and limits the amount of impervious areas in watersheds.
Wastewater Planning - coordinate wastewater planning within a watershed with the
local governing agency to ensure protection from contamination.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TOOLS
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE BASED ON SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
INCLUDING HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING, POLITICAL SITUATION,
RELATIONS WITH OTHER POTENTIALLY INVOLVED MUNICIPALITIES,
AND LEVEL OF INTEREST.
The following pages provide examples of a non-regulatory management tool in the form of
public education and a regulatory management tool in the form of overlay zoning.
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MANAGEMENT TOOLS:
A. NON-REGULATORY TOOL EXAMPLE: PURLIC EDUCATION
Educating the public provides a critical non-regulatory
management tool for source water protection. When people
think about water, most think only in terms of what comes out
of the tap.
They do not realize that the same areas in which they live,
work, and play are frequently contributing to the water they
drink and use.
Even a modest public education program can help people gain a greater understanding for
your source water protection program. Remember that the cost of a potentially low-cost
protection program can be much less than the cost of treatment or a new source.
Public education is critical to a successful program and should be started at the very
beginning of a source water protection program and should be an on-going activity
throughout the planning and should continue as part of a long-range program.
Some potential activities include:
Providing signs along roadways and in housing areas to identify your source water
protection area (PennDOT can help along state highways)
Prepare "Best Management Practices" guidelines for distribution to the public including
items such as:
Urban Runoff
Critical Areas
Household Hazardous Materials
Conduct public meetings
Time:
Date:
Speaker:
Lawncare and Gardening
Septic Tanks
Provide speakers for civic/community groups:
Possible groups to speak to include:
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I Provide newsletter or water bill inserts about the program.
Request coverage with your local newspaper and other media.
Newspaper
Contact:
* Phone/Fax Number:
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Contact:
| Phone/Fax Number:
I Television
Contact:
I Phone/Fax Number:
I Contact your local school districts to determine interest in participating in activities
related to source water protection.
I For Example:
Help develop curriculum including projects and field trips
I Participating in any Earth Day or scheduled environmental activity
Designing a slogan or logo for the source water protection area
| Art or essay contests related to water resource protection
You can get started by answering a few simple questions
Your School District
| Contact Person
Phone/Fax Number
| Areas of Interest
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MANAGEMENTTOOLS
B. REGUUTORY TOOL EXAMPLE: OVERLAY ZONING
For communities of watershed groups, one management tool to consider that may
involve the least disruption and be simpler to implement and be accepted is the
concept of a watershed zone.
Watershed Zone:
Accepts current zoning that may already
exist.
"Overlays" the source water protection
zoning on top of the existing zoning.
Recognizes existing activities of the existing
zoning.
Recognizes existing activities that could
impact on source water protection but with a
minimum of disruption to them.
Prohibits or provides certain limitations on
future activities that can affect source water
protection.
If you consider the use of an overlay zone for your system:
Compare current zoning and planning documents for the protection area you have
mapped. As a result of this comparison, identify:
Current planning of concern to source water protection:
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I Uses or concern to source water protection that are currently allowed in the
source water protection area.
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Specific provisions of local government that may have an affect on source water
protection issues.
| MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Key Elements of overlay watershed zoning:
1. Define regulated land uses
2. Define regulated substances
3. Variances for existing uses/activities
4. Special exceptions for new sources
_ 5. Consider requirements for design standards
* 6. Consider requirements for operating permits
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Samples of other types of source water protection management tools
may be obtained from:
USEPA Region III:
Drinking Water Branch 3WP22
Water Protection Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Delaware:
Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control
Division of Water Resources
PO Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903
Maryland:
Water Management Administration
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Pennsylvania:
Bureau of Water Supply Management
PA Department of Environmental Protection
11th Floor, RCSOB
PO Box 8467
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467
Virginia:
Division of Water Supply Engineering
Virginia Department of Health
1500 East Main Street
PO Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218
West Virginia:
West Virginia Department of Health
815 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
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| PLANNING I OR THE FUTURE
I Review your source water protection plan yearly!
This will allow you to
Keep up-to-date on regulations
I« Review trends and activities in the
protection area
I« Act on new information about potential
contaminant sources
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Next Meeting:
Date:
Time:
Place:
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Possible areas to be considered:
Identify future critical areas and take action to include them
in your source water protection planning.
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I DEVELOP A CONTINCENCY PLAN TO:
ONCE POTENTIAL THREATS TO A COMMUNITY SOURCE WATER ARE IDENTIFIED:
Develop an Emergency Management Plan
- What are the steps involved to address identified potential threats?
=========:
I - Identify who is responsible for each step including who will coordinate
efforts.
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potential threats?
Provide for alternate water supply or treatment should yours become
contaminated
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response coordinator. Have a copy of their program on hand for reference and for
inclusion into your emergency management plan.
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For possible sources for assistance, please refer to the agencies listed on Page 32.
Deal with hazardous materials and accident spills.
Community/county HAZMAT coordinator:
Telephone/Fax Number:
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MOTES ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
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WHAT IF THERE IS LITTLE INTEREST?
Find out why others don't see a benefit. Identify the
barriers that stop cooperation.
Do they understand the "cost" of an unprotected
water source?
Some possibilities are listed on the next page.
Are you addressing the wrong issues ?
Are the participants frustrated because everybody
has a different approach?
What are the problems you are running into?
List them on the next page and then try to find
ways to overcome them.
Many people still live with the misconception that
since water did not present a problem in the past, it
will not present any problem now. This is not true
today with the large amount of population growth,
more intense use of land, and increased use of
chemicals that threaten most water supplies.
Some of the costs of contaminated water can include
cost to clean up the water, adverse health effects,
extra monitoring costs, treatment costs, and finding a
new source of supply.
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I ISSUES?
WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS AND WHY IS THERE LITTLE INTEREST?
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O Lack of understanding of the SDWA
O Legal Concern
I D Economic Conditions
O Lack of Leadership
L~J Costs
D Timing Wrong
I D Group Too Large
ft O Group Too Small
n Municipal Differences
* D Other
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LOOK FOR POSSIBLE SOLOTIONS TO CREATE INTEREST
v1>>
Look for ways to eliminate barriers and create interest in
source water protection efforts and list them on the next
page. These will vary from situation to situation
depending on the barriers encountered. Two typical
problems can be the "cost" of developing a source water
protection program and in many cases, the required
cooperation when more than one municipality must be
involved.
When the costs of cleaning up a contaminated water service are understood, the barrier
should disappear. The source of water for one community may be located in numerous
municipalities and the areas to be protected may be in yet other municipalities. It is
important to stress the health and safety factor to the neighboring municipalities to gain
cooperation in the implementation of a plan.
Once you have identified ways to overcome the barriers, list the actions needed to make it
happen. Don't forget to select a specific person who will be responsible for each step of
your plan.
As problems are overcome and interest is developed, go back to page 9 to continue with
the planning to protect the drinking water in your area.
Remember, the cost of source water protection is cheap compared to the many costs of
coping with a source once it is contaminated.
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Possible Ways To
Eliminate Barriers
And Create Interest
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Actions Required To
Make It Happen
Solutions
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
Who is in
Charge?
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
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GLOSSARY
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP'S) - Protective measures for preventing or
controlling threats of water quality that have worked best over time.
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that serves at least 15 service
connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system or regularly
serves at least 25 year-round residents.
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) - In the SDWA, an MCL is defined as "the
maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a
public water systems."
NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that is not a community
water system. There are two types of NCWSs: transient (serve 25 non-resident persons
per day for 6 months or less per year) and non-transient (serve at least 25 of the same
non-resident persons per day for more than 6 months per year).
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA (SWAP) - The area delineated by the state for a
public water system (PWS) or including numerous PWSs, whether the source is ground
water or surface water or both, as part of the state SWAP approved by EPA under section
1453 of the SDWA.
SURFACE WATER TREATMENT RULE (SWTR) - The rule specified maximum
contaminant level goals for Giardia lamblia, viruses and Legionella, and promulgated
filtration and disinfection requirements for PWSs using surface water sources under the
direct influence of surface water. The regulations also specified water quality, treatment,
and watershed protection criteria under which filtration may be avoided.
WATERSHED - A topographic boundary area that is the perimeter of the catchment area
of a stream.
WATERSHED AREA - A topographic area that is within a line drawn connecting the
highest points uphill of a drinking water intake, from which overland flow drains to the
intake.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA (WHPA) - The surface and subsurface area
surrounding a well or well field, supplying a PWS, through which contaminants are
reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field.
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vvEPA
Region 111
EPA 903-B-98-001
November 1998
PROTECTING YOUR WATERSHED
THROUGH A
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
AND PROTECTION PUN
A "HOW-TO" WORKBOOK
COMMUNITIES AND WATERSHED CROUPS
EPA Report Collection
Regional Center for Environmental Information
U.S. EPA Region ill
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Protecting Your Watershed
Through A Source Water Assessment
I and Protection Plan
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| A "How To" Workbook
I F°r
Communities And Watershed Groups
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United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Drinking Water Branch (3WP22)
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Uo. ''?£. tt.-'.V.-': "SIT
? : :-.-=,' ." I !",..' "'"V.inXCTlta?
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INTRODUCTION
This workbook was developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Spotts Stevens and McCoy, Inc.
(Reading, Pennsylvania) as a guide for communities and
watershed groups, with limited financial resources, to
develop and implement an assessment and protection plan
for existing and new drinking watersheds. This publication
is meant as a workbook, it is meant for you to use,
please write in it and mark it up.
Groundwater protection is an important part of source water
protection, but in most cases, groundwater fundamentals
and groundwater protection are not covered in this
workbook. It is recommended that readers refer to the
state wellhead protection program for information regarding
groundwater protection. Proper implementation of this
workbook would include the implementation of a wellhead
protection plan where applicable.
This workbook has been developed as a companion to The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidebook entitled
"State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs
Guidance - Final Guidance".
Source water assessment is achieved through identifying
the various components, influences and possible
contamination areas for a water source. This workbook
serves as a guide for assessing a water source and then
providing the proper steps for protection of the source.
The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to all publicly or
privately owned water systems having more than 15 or
more service connections and/or serving at least 25 people.
Water systems will be required to meet the 1996 Safe
Drinking Water Act Amendments which have incorporated
source water protection through the use of source water
assessment and protection. The goal of the Environmental
Protection Agency is that "by the year 2005, 50 percent of
the population served by community water systems will
receive their water from systems with Source Water
Protection (SWP) programs in place under both Wellhead
Protection (WHP) and watershed protection programs."
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AS A WATER PROVIDER OR WATER USER OF A WATERSHED
| ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OR CONCERNED ABOUT...
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_ YES NO
Serving good quality water LJ LJ
Receiving good quality water LJ LJ
Protecting your water supply LJ LJ
Identifying where your water supply comes from LJ LJ
Knowing sources of potential contamination LJ LJ
I Recognizing management tools for small LJ LJ
drinking water systems
Avoiding expensive source water treatment LJ LJ
Providing low-impact public use for recreation LJ LJ
and education
Other: O D
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| ...AS THESE RELATE TO YOUR COMMUNITY
WATERSHED?
I IF YOU ANSWERED ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS WITH
I PLEASE READ ON.
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1 (r
ife
""^
^ff "^ WE'RE INTERESTED BUT...
P^k
IPw.
~~^ WHAT CAN WE DO?
^LJ&& II
nfil WHA T SHOULD WE DO?
^^^^^T^B
TO PROTECT THE SOURCE WATER WE USE FOR...
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...drinking
...bathing
...cooking
^L ...washing clothes
^^^V ...recreation
| ONE APPROACH IS TO DEVELOP A. ..
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SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
AND PROTECTION PROGRAM
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
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THERE ARE 7 BASIC STEPS TO SOURCE WATER
ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION
STEP 1 - FORM A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM
STEP 2 - DELINEATE THE WATERSHED TO BE PROTECTED
STEP 3 - REVIEW THE ZONING SURROUNDING THE WATERSHED
STEP 4- IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
STEP 5 - IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
STEP 6 - MANAGE THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
STEP 7 - PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
ALL SEVEN STEPS REQUIRE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!!
THIS IS THE MOST CRITICAL STEP TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOURCE
WATER ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PLAN.
It may be easier to begin Step 2 first to gain support and awareness through education.
Completing this workbook will put you on the road to protecting your watershed for yourself
and for future generations.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACTII
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! 8TEP1:
GETTING STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM
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Implementation of a plan requires someone to take action - WHY NOT YOU!
Once a need for a watershed protection plan is realized, a few initial contacts and
discussions can quickly locate others with similar interests. Using the following page, jot
down names, phone numbers, and addresses of others you think may be interested in
watershed protection through source water assessment and protection and... CALL THEM
NOW!!
WHO SHOULD YOU CALL??
Any number of people and organizations may be interested in participating in this activity,
including...
local government
planning/zoning
state regulatory agencies
water departments
agricultural community
industry
conservation/environmental groups
schools
civic/community organizations
developers
watershed advisory groups
lake associations
teachers
IT IS UERY IMPORTANT TO...
If the watershed for your system is located in multiple municipalities, it is essential that you
invite all municipalities. Even if there is little cooperation between the municipalities on
other issues, a watershed protection plan will indirectly affect and benefit individually the
municipalities surrounding the watershed as well as your own. This is a critical step in
effectively organizing and implementing a plan of action.
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INITIAL CONTACTS AND DISCUSSIONS
WHO?
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS, PHONE, FAX
AND EMAIL NUMBERS
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I DEVEIOPINTEREST
g After making the initial telephone contacts, call for an informal meeting of all interested
parties. Make this a broad-ranging meeting, which further develops interests in watershed
i protection planning for your community.
Use the following page as guide to organize your meeting.
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- SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS:
Recent water quality problems
Development in the surrounding watershed area
Potential contamination threats
I How to organize
Sources of assistance
I What information do we have
Who else may be interested
- include advocate peers with the group to offset opponents (e.g. a farmer who
favors protection balanced with a farmer who opposes anti-protection)
| Budget
m Assignments
Staff capabilities
m Volunteer capabilities
Discussion of local water sources
What are the perceived needs of the communities
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INFORMAL MEETING TO DETERMINE INTEREST
INTEREST! ENTHUSIASM!
CONTINUE WITH NEXT PAGE
NO INTEREST! APATHY!
» GO TO PAGE 37
ORGANIZER:
WHO IS ATTENDING?
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AGENDA ITEMS:
TIME/DATE
LOCATION
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- REFRESHMENTS:,
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ADDRESS THE DASIC ISSUES
If watershed protection is of interest, begin the meeting by discussing the basic issues.
Don't get bogged down in the details at this point. Several meetings may be needed as
the idea of watershed protection becomes more focused on your specific needs.
Solutions to the issues at hand will take time. Each situation will require specific attention
due to the varied personalities, interests, problems, constraints, and opportunities. Take
one step at a time.
USE THE NEXT TWO PAGES TO
KEEP SIMPLE MINUTES OF YOUR
FIRST MEETING.
DO WE NEED OUTSIDE RESOURCES?
POSSIBLY.
Experience elsewhere has shown that watershed protection planning must have a good
technical and legal basis. There are many things your planning team can do, but two
resources that can provide valuable assistance include a hydrologist to determine the
watershed area delineation and a lawyer to provide direction on the management tools.
The lawyer could very likely by your municipality's solicitor or a combination of solicitors
from the various municipalities. The hydrologist may be a consultant from a local college
or government agency.
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MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING
KEY ITEMS DISCUSSED
OUR GOALS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
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, NOW, MOVE TO IMPLEMENTATION
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THINCS TO DO NEXT
WHAT?
WHO?
WHEN?
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THE WATERSHED PROTECTION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE:
NAME
ADDRESS PHON^j^)EMA'L REPRESENTING
j
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STEP 2:
DEFINE THE WATERSHED PROTECTION AREA
A watershed is the topographic boundary area that is within the perimeter of a catchment
area of a stream or the collection of streams, lakes, rivers. A watershed can be influenced
by either groundwater and/or surface water.
The primary goal of source water protection (SWP)
under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to:
Prevent the contamination of and maintaining
good quality drinking water supplies,
by reducing or preventing chemical and microbiological
contamination of source waters and
avoiding costly treatment
and monitoring requirements.
Defining the watershed is the key technical step in watershed protection planning, and
should be based on a reasonably sound approach in the event of challenges to the area
defined for source water protection. This is the critical step where a hydrologist may be
able to help you.
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I BASICS:
| TO BEGIN DEFINING THE WATERSHED AREA
1 . Do we have a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map(s) that is likely to
I cover our watershed? If not, obtain one. (To buy maps look under Maps in the
telephone book yellow pages; hunting and fishing stores may also have these.) A
geographical information system (GIS) may be used in some cases in place of
USGS maps.
D Yes No
M 2. Is there a drawing showing any previous studies?
D Yes a No
M 3. Is hydrologic information for our area available through the USGS or a local college?
D Yes O No
14. Can we accurately identify the drainage area for our watershed from the maps or
GIS or we will have a hydrologist complete this?
| D Yes D No
I 5. Do we have zoning maps and ordinances for the area likely under consideration?
| D Yes D No
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IF DATA AND THE ABILITY TO DELINEATE OR
FUNDS FOR A HYDROLOGIST ARE AVAILABLE...
1. Obtain the necessary maps or the GIS file.
2. Have a hydrologist delineate the watershed or complete this task using the following
guidelines:
a. Find topographic high points surrounding your ground/surface water source
and construct a line that connects these points (See Example).
b. The line created will identify the boundary of the watershed including any
wells, where the slope of the land slopes into or away from the surface water
source.
c. Field check your watershed delineation by driving/walking the area boundary.
3. For the use of a USGS map, obtain clear mylar drawing sheets from a drafting or
artist's supply store. Place the mylar over the USGS map and trace the watershed
as defined above. This will be the foundation for your watershed mapping.
4. If a GIS exists, maps will be able to be produced by using the computer.
THIS WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BASIC MAPS, INCLUDING THE WATERSHED
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA.
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STEP 3:
REVIEW THE CURRENT PROVISIONS OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Review the local planning (zoning and related ordinances) and provisions of local
government to evaluate what protection or potential hazards may already exist for your
delineated watershed.
Address the following questions:
1. What are the current zoning requirements for the
watershed? What zoning already exists to protect the
watershed area?
2. What are the conditional land uses in the watershed? Are
there any detrimental land uses already in practice.
3. What are the municipalities long-range plans for the area
surrounding and including the watershed? Are there any
future plans that may affect or be within the watershed
delineation?
4. What other provisions already exist that support Source
Water Protection, such as Wellhead Protection (WHP) and
other regulatory issues?
5. What are the other options that exist for protection of the
watershed, such as nutrient management, Wellhead
Protection, Best Management Practice's (BMP's) and other
voluntary issues?
CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE WITH STEP4
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STCP4:
HOW TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
Once the watershed area has been delineated, the next step is to identify natural features
that may need special attention. A list of natural features are as follows:
1. STEEP SLOPES WHERE EROSION MAY OCCUR. THIS MAY VARY
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF VEGETATION.
2. UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
3. HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
4.
SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
5. HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
6.
FORESTS
7. WILDLIFE AREAS
8. STREAMS AND RIVERBANKS
9. FLOODPLAINS
10. WETLANDS
Listed above are many of the features that may be found in a watershed.
It is important to realize that not every watershed will have all of the above-mentioned
features, and that some features may have a larger affect on one watershed than another.
Combinations of features may also be found. For example, relatively steep vegetated
slopes may present no influence on a watershed, but the same slope unvegetated may
allow for the passage of pesticides into the watershed.
A personal walking tour of your watershed should provide the location of many of these
features. Information regarding critical areas should be added to your map for future use.
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Sources of information regarding critical areas include:
Natural Resource Conservation Service
Cooperative Extension Service
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Local Governments
U.S. Geologic Survey
Precipitation data and stream records can be retrieved from the USGS for reviewing
flooding and storm water concerns.
AN ON-SITE REVIEW OF THE
CONDITION OF CRITICAL AREAS DURING STORMS
PROVIDE A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
ON WHICH AREAS ARE MOST AFFECTED.
SEE PAGE 20 FOR A SAMPLE INVENTORY.
Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy
extra copies or make photocopies), draw
your source water protection area on the map
and using the inventory sheet on the next
page, prepare an inventory of critical areas
for your watershed. Use a separate sheet to
organize names, addresses, and phone
numbers, where you can obtain these.
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I PROGRAM INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CRITICAL AREAS
DIRECTIONS: Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the watershed
protection area. Delineate the feature on the map and place the corresponding number at
I the location of the feature. If there are more than one source for a category, label each
site with the number and a letter (e.g. multiple wetlands would be 10A, 10B, 10C, etc.).
I
1. STEEP SLOPES
I 2. UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
m 3. HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
4. SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
£ 5. HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
6. FORESTS
7. WILDLIFE AREAS
8. STREAMS AND RIVERBANKS
9. FLOODPLAINS
| (Typically 50 feet from the top of bank, if no other data are available).
10. WETLANDS
" 11. FARMLAND
12. OTHER (SPECIFY)
I Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to a
second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area defined.
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SUPS:
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
After the critical areas have been identified and delineated, the next step is to identify the
potential sources of contamination. Remember these are potential threats to water quality.
The best approach is to look at water quality data including pollutants and existing and
projected land uses. Whether a potential threat becomes an actual one is determined in
part by the type of activity. This includes whether it enters the watershed, its concentration
and its duration.
There are many potential sources of source water contamination, including many routine
activities that we may not necessarily think of as being possible sources of contamination.
THE FOLLOWING PAGE IDENTIFIES
SEVERAL TYPES OF SOURCES OF
SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION AND
IS FROM EPA'S REGION III
WELLHEAD PROTECTION HANDBOOK
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TABLE 1 - COMMON SOURCES OF SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION
AGRICULTURAL
Animal burial areas
Animal feedlots
Chemical storage areas
COMMERCIAL
Airport
Auto repair shops
Boat yard
Construction Areas
Car Washes
Cemeteries
Dry cleaning establishments
Gas stations
Golf courses (chemical application)
Jewelry and metal plating
Laundromats
INDUSTRIAL
Asphalt plants
Chemical manufacture, warehousing, and
distribution activities
Electrical and electronic products and
manufacturing
Electroplaters and metal fabricators
Foundries
Fire training facilities
Machine and metal working shops
Manufacturing and distribution for cleaning
supplies
Mining (surface and underground) and mine
drainage
RESIDENTIAL
Fuel storage systems
Furniture and wood strippers and finishers
Household hazardous products
Residential lawns (chemical application)
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Hazardous waste management units (e.g.,
landfills, land treatment areas, surface
impoundment's, waste piles, incinerators,
treatment tanks)
Municipal incinerators
Municipal landfills
Irrigation
Manure spreading and pesticides
Pesticides and fertilizers
Medical institutions
Paint shops
Photography establishments/printers
Railroad tracks and yard/maintenance
Research laboratories
Road deicing operations (e.g. road salt)
Scarp and junkyards
Storage tanks and pipe (i.e. above-ground,
below-ground, underground)
Petroleum products production, storage and
distribution centers
Pipelines (e.g. oil, gas, coal, slurry)
Septage lagoons and sludge
Storage tanks (i.e. above ground, below-ground,
underground)
Toxic and hazardous spills
Wells - Operating and abandoned (e.g. oil, gas,
water supply, injection, monitoring, and
exploration)
Wood Preserving facilities
Septic systems, cesspools, water softeners
Sewer lines
Swimming Pools
Municipal wastewater and sewer lines
Open burning sites
Recycling and reduction facilities
Stormwater drams, retention basins, transfer
stations
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PREPARING YOUR INVENTORY
These are the likely sources of information, to begin the inventory for your source water
protection plan.
1. Contact the local department of environmental protection or health
department for sources subject to certain federal and state laws.
This may require contacting a number of different programs within an environmental
department or health department as well as individuals time to review files.
2. Surf the Internet
Many internet sites now exist that provide information on a number of source water
issues. Typical sites include local, state and federal, as well as private
organizations. Two key source water sites developed by EPA include:
EPA site for Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
www.epa.gov/enviro/html/tris/tris.query.java.html
EPA site for surfing a watershed
www.epa.gov/nwapsurf/text.htmt
3. Utilize a Data Service
There are a number of data services that compile information on facilities and
sources where environmental problems have occurred or are subject to certain
federal and state laws. These services can provide an extensive amount of data,
including maps, usually within 7 to 10 days of a request. The cost of these services
typically range from $100 to $150 depending on the amount and type of data
requested. These services can be obtained through use of the internet.
4. Your Planning Committee (and other helpers)
Although a data service can provide you with some important information, there are
many local activities you will have to identify yourself; for example, cemeteries. In
addition to your committee, other organizations may be interested in assisting with
the inventory. In other areas, senior citizen, civic, and environmental groups have
helped prepare these inventories.
No special training is required. What is needed is enthusiasm, common sense and
some general direction as to what to look for, such as the activities on the next
page. Be sure to include long-time residents of an area who will know past land
uses and possible sources of historical problems.
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Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy extra copies or make photocopies),
draw your source water protection area on the map and using the inventory sheet on
the next page, prepare an inventory for your area. Use a separate sheet to organize
names, addresses, and phone numbers, where you can obtain these.
Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to
a second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area
defined.
SEE SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM ON PAGE 25 FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES.
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INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION SOORCES
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES
SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM
Inventory Person:
A. Landowners Name:
B. Address:
C. Phone Number:
D. City:
E. County:
Description of Location:
Zip Code:
Residential
City Gov't Site
Commercial
State Gov't Site
Nature of Property
Agricultural _
Rental
Industrial
Other
DIRECTIONS: Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the source water protection area. Place
the corresponding number on the map at the location of the source. If there is more than one source for a
category, label each site with the number and a letter (e.g., multiple cemeteries would be 7A, 7B, 7C, etc.)
1._Abandoned Wells
2._Aboveground Storage Tank
3._Airport
4._Animal Feedlot/Waste Storage
5._Asphalt Plant
6._Auto Repair/Body Shop/Salvage Washes
7._Cemetery
8._Cesspool
9. Chemical Production/Mixing/Storage
10._Dry Cleaners
11._Electroplaters/Metal Finishers
12._Farm/Private Dumps
13._Fertilizer/Pesticide Storage/ProductionMixing
14._Golf Course
15._Grain Storage Bin
16. _ High way
17._Holding Pond/Lagoon
18._lndustrial (other-Identify):
19._lnjection Well
20._lrrigation Practices
21._Landfill
22._Laboratories
23._Machine Shop
24._Mining(Quarry)
25._Oil/Gas Pipelines
26._Photo Processors
27._Printers
28._Railroad
29._Refinishing
30._Road Salt Storage
31._Septic Systems
32._Service/Gas Stations
33._Sewage Plant
34._Underground Storage Tank
35._Waste Piles
36._Water Well
37._Wood Preserving
38._Other (specify)
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STEPS:
MANAGING THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
Up to this point you have collected or created a lot of information. In this step, you will
make an assessment on how you will use this information. You will likely need the advice
and assistance of your attorney. You may also find the assistance of other professionals,
such as planners, very useful.
You will basically be making a decision on how to proceed with protecting the source water
watershed area in this step. This decision may range from "Do Nothing" to a very
aggressive protection program, as well as many variations in between.
TYPICAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
FALL INTO TWO CATAGORIES:
NON-REGULATORY AND REGULATORY TOOLS
THE FIRST CATEGORY IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT THE START OF A
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM AND IS RELATIVELY EASY
TO BEGIN!
Non-regulatory
Voluntary - school students and senior citizens provide an excellent source energy
and resources for educating the public and the collection of information.
Education - public education is an important part of the program and is covered in
more detail on page 29.
Monitoring - typical monitoring plans include emergency telephone number listings
and emergency telephone chains for possible upstream contaminant sources.
Other plans include sharing of industrial monitoring well data and the development
of additional monitoring wells at possible contaminant locations.
Adopting best management practices for
critical areas listed previously
Land Acquisition of critical areas of protection.
Schools - contact local schools and aid in the
development of school programs that involve
students in source water protection programs.
Students can provide almost a limitless supply of
enthusiasm and energy for your project.
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Community Senior Citizens - involve local citizens of the community in the process.
Older citizens of the community are aware of many of the past practices of the area
and provide a valuable source of historical information.
Certain Legislative tools may also be available
Regulatory
Health - guidelines are typically associated with regional health departments.
Zoning and ordinances - local governing bodies may develop to enforce
management practices.
Subdivision control - a method of controlling size, location and type of subdivisions
that may have adverse affects on the watershed including sewer and storm water
issues.
Buffer Zones - designate vegetated buffer zones and/or Water Supply Overlay
Protection Zones.
Performance-Based Zoning - holds individuals creating the drinking water impact
responsible for addressing the problems.
Urban Runoff Control - "Zero Runoff Ordinances" - provides treatment for runoff
and limits the amount of impervious areas in watersheds.
Wastewater Planning- coordinate wastewater planning within a watershed with the
local governing agency to ensure protection from contamination.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TOOLS
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE BASED ON SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
INCLUDING HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING, POLITICAL SITUATION,
RELATIONS WITH OTHER POTENTIALLY INVOLVED MUNICIPALITIES,
AND LEVEL OF INTEREST.
The following pages provide examples of a non-regulatory management tool in the form of
public education and a regulatory management tool in the form of overlay zoning.
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MANAGEMENTTOOLS:
A. NON-REGULATORY TOOl EXAMP1E: PUBLIC EDUCATION
Educating the public provides a critical non-regulatory
management tool for source water protection. When people
think about water, most think only in terms of what comes out
of the tap.
They do not realize that the same areas in which they live,
work, and play are frequently contributing to the water they
drink and use.
Even a modest public education program can help people gain a greater understanding for
your source water protection program. Remember that the cost of a potentially low-cost
protection program can be much less than the cost of treatment or a new source.
Public education is critical to a successful program and should be started at the very
beginning of a source water protection program and should be an on-going activity
throughout the planning and should continue as part of a long-range program.
Some potential activities include:
Providing signs along roadways and in housing areas to identify your source water
protection area (PennDOT can help along state highways)
Prepare "Best Management Practices" guidelines for distribution to the public including
items such as:
Urban Runoff
Critical Areas
Household Hazardous Materials
Conduct public meetings
Time:
Date:
Speaker:
Lawncare and Gardening
Septic Tanks
Provide speakers for civic/community groups:
Possible groups to speak to include:
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I Provide newsletter or water bill inserts about the program.
_ « Request coverage with your local newspaper and other media.
Newspaper
Contact:
Phone/Fax Number:
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Radio
_ Contact:
Phone/Fax Number:
I Television
Contact:
Phone/Fax Number:
Contact your local school districts to determine interest in participating in activities
related to source water protection.
I For Example:
Help develop curriculum including projects and field trips
| Participating in any Earth Day or scheduled environmental activity
Designing a slogan or logo for the source water protection area
I Art or essay contests related to water resource protection
You can get started by answering a few simple questions
Your School District
I Contact Person
_ Phone/Fax Number
I Areas of Interest
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MANAGEMENTTOOIS
B. REGULATORY TOOL EXAMPLE: OVERLAY ZONING
For communities of watershed groups, one management tool to consider that may
involve the least disruption and be simpler to implement and be accepted is the
concept of a watershed zone.
Watershed Zone:
Accepts current zoning that may already
exist.
"Overlays" the source water protection
zoning on top of the existing zoning.
Recognizes existing activities of the existing
zoning.
Recognizes existing activities that could
impact on source water protection but with a
minimum of disruption to them.
Prohibits or provides certain limitations on
future activities that can affect source water
protection.
If you consider the use of an overlay zone for your system:
Compare current zoning and planning documents for the protection area you have
mapped. As a result of this comparison, identify:
Current planning of concern to source water protection:
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Uses or concern to source water protection that are currently allowed in the
source water protection area.
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Specific provisions of local government that may have an affect on source water
protection issues.
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| MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Key Elements of overlay watershed zoning:
1. Define regulated land uses
2. Define regulated substances
3. Variances for existing uses/activities
4. Special exceptions for new sources
H 5. Consider requirements for design standards
6. Consider requirements for operating permits
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Samples of other types of source water protection management tools
may be obtained from:
USEPA Region III:
Drinking Water Branch 3WP22
Water Protection Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Delaware:
Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control
Division of Water Resources
PO Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903
Maryland:
Water Management Administration
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Pennsylvania:
Bureau of Water Supply Management
PA Department of Environmental Protection
11th Floor, RCSOB
PO Box 8467
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467
Virginia:
Division of Water Supply Engineering
Virginia Department of Health
1500 East Main Street
PO Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218
West Virginia:
West Virginia Department of Health
815 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
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| PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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Review your source water protection plan yearly!
I This will allow you to
Keep up-to-date on regulations
I Review trends and activities in the
protection area
Act on new information about potential
contaminant sources
Next Meeting:
Date:
Time:
" Place: _
Identify future critical areas and take action to include them
in your source water protection planning.
Possible areas to be considered:
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I DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY PLAN TO:
ONCE POTENTIAL THREATS TO A COMMUNITY SOURCE WATER ARE IDENTIFIED:
Develop an Emergency Management Plan
- What are the steps involved to address identified potential threats?
- Identify who is responsible for each step including who will coordinate
efforts.
I - What are sources of technical, logistical and financial resources for handling
potential threats?
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8 Provide for alternate water supply or treatment should yours become
contaminated
| For possible sources for assistance, please refer to the agencies listed on Page 32.
I Deal with hazardous materials and accident spills.
I A good place to start with, is your community or county hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
response coordinator. Have a copy of their program on hand for reference and for
inclusion into your emergency management plan.
Community/county HAZMAT coordinator:
Telephone/Fax Number:
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NOTES ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
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WHAT IF THERE IS LITTLE INTEREST?
Find out why others don't see a benefit. Identify the
barriers that stop cooperation.
Do they understand the "cost" of an unprotected
water source?
Some possibilities are listed on the next page.
Are you addressing the wrong issues?
Are the participants frustrated because everybody
has a different approach ?
What are the problems you are running into?
List them on the next page and then try to find
ways to overcome them.
Many people still live with the misconception that
since water did not present a problem in the past, it
will not present any problem now. This is not true
today with the large amount of population growth,
more intense use of land, and increased use of
chemicals that threaten most water supplies.
Some of the costs of contaminated water can include
cost to clean up the water, adverse health effects,
extra monitoring costs, treatment costs, and finding a
new source of supply.
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I ISSUES?
WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS AND WHY IS THERE LITTLE INTEREST?
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G Lack of understanding of the SDWA
D Legal Concern
| G Economic Conditions
G Lack of Leadership
G Costs
G Timing Wrong
jj G Group Too Large
G Group Too Small
G Municipal Differences
G Other
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LOOK FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE INTEREST
Vlr>
Look for ways to eliminate barriers and create interest in
source water protection efforts and list them on the next
page. These will vary from situation to situation
depending on the barriers encountered. Two typical
problems can be the "cost" of developing a source water
protection program and in many cases, the required
cooperation when more than one municipality must be
involved.
When the costs of cleaning up a contaminated water service are understood, the barrier
should disappear. The source of water for one community may be located in numerous
municipalities and the areas to be protected may be in yet other municipalities. It is
important to stress the health and safety factor to the neighboring municipalities to gain
cooperation in the implementation of a plan.
Once you have identified ways to overcome the barriers, list the actions needed to make it
happen. Don't forget to select a specific person who will be responsible for each step of
your plan.
As problems are overcome and interest is developed, go back to page 9 to continue with
the planning to protect the drinking water in your area.
Remember, the cost of source water protection is cheap compared to the many costs of
coping with a source once it is contaminated.
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Possible Ways To
Eliminate Barriers
And Create Interest
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Actions Required To
Make It Happen
Solutions
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
Who is in
Charge?
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
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GLOSSARY
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP'S) - Protective measures for preventing or
controlling threats of water quality that have worked best over time.
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that serves at least 15 service
connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system or regularly
serves at least 25 year-round residents.
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) - In the SDWA, an MCL is defined as "the
maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a
public water systems."
NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that is not a community
water system. There are two types of NCWSs: transient (serve 25 non-resident persons
per day for 6 months or less per year) and non-transient (serve at least 25 of the same
non-resident persons per day for more than 6 months per year).
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA (SWAP) - The area delineated by the state for a
public water system (PWS) or including numerous PWSs, whether the source is ground
water or surface water or both, as part of the state SWAP approved by EPA under section
1453 of the SDWA.
SURFACE WATER TREATMENT RULE (SWTR) - The rule specified maximum
contaminant level goals for Giardia lamblia, viruses and Legionella, and promulgated
filtration and disinfection requirements for PWSs using surface water sources under the
direct influence of surface water. The regulations also specified water quality, treatment,
and watershed protection criteria under which filtration may be avoided.
WATERSHED - A topographic boundary area that is the perimeter of the catchment area
of a stream.
WATERSHED AREA - A topographic area that is within a line drawn connecting the
highest points uphill of a drinking water intake, from which overland flow drains to the
intake.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA (WHPA) - The surface and subsurface area
surrounding a well or well field, supplying a PWS, through which contaminants are
reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field.
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