WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM
Borough of Rouseville, Pennsylvania
May 1993
Submitted To:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agencj
Region 3
Prepared By:
HORSLEY & WITTEN, INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
WASHINGTON, DC • BARNSTABLE, MA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Purpose
Step #1 - Identify Duties and Responsibilities
Step #2 - Delineation of Wellhead Protection Areas:
Step #3 - Identification of Potential Contamination' Sources
Step #4 - Management Tools
Step #5 - Public Education
LIST OF TABLES
Table
1. Ground Water Levels
2. Summary of Wellhead Protection Tools
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Wellhead Protection Areas
Hydrogeologic Cross Section
Page
1
1
2
2
4
8
14
4
9
Page
5
6
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ROUSEVILLE
WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM
Introduction
The wellhead protection (WHP) program was established in 1986 after
amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The WHP program
was designed for, and has been extremely successful in, protecting ground
water which supplies wells and wellfields that contribute drinking water to
public water supply systems. Wellhead protection requires ;the participation
of all levels of government. The foremost responsibility for ensuring that
ground water is adequately protected lies at the local government level.
Purpose
Because of their interest in promoting wellhead protection in local
communities, Region 3 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
funded a project to provide wellhead protection in two Pennsylvania
communities. The purpose of this project was to provide "hands on"
training for applying EPA's Wellhead Protection Program. This report
summarizes our analysis of background materials, a site visit, and a public
meeting coordinated in Rouseville, Pennsylvania. It is structured according
to the five steps for wellhead protection outlined in the Safe Drinking Water
Act Amendments of 1986. This report was prepared by Horsley & Witten, Inc.
(H&W) under contract to the EPA Region 3 office in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The project was also coordinated with the Pennsylvania Rural
Water Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources. ,
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Step #1 - Identify Duties and Responsibilities
The primary contact for coordination of the wellhead protection program has
been the Rouseville Municipal Waterworks. The Rouseville Municipal
Waterworks provides water supply to 734 residents of the Borough of
Rouseville, 263 residents of the Village of Plumer, and 38 residents of
McClintockville. Representatives of each of these communities attended a
workshop hi Rouseville, sponsored by EPA Region 3, on 6 May 1993. Also
present were representatives of Cornplanter Township, the County Planning
Department, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Regulation, the
Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, the Pennsylvania League of Women
Voters and a Representative of the Pennsylvania Legislature. All of these
organizations will play key roles in the development and implementation of
a wellhead protection program for Rouseville.
Specific duties of these organizations need to be defined by local officials.
However, some roles are evident. The Rouseville Municipal Waterworks
has already taken the lead in coordinating wellhead protection efforts by
organizing and hosting the initial workshop and meeting. As they are
responsible for delivering potable water to consumers it may be most
appropriate for them to lead and coordinate the wellhead protection efforts. If
land use controls are deemed necessary, Cornplanter Township (which
administers the Zoning Ordinance in the area of the wellfields) and the
County Planning Office will have to play key roles. Technical assistance is
available from Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Regulation, and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Step #2 - Delineation of Wellhead Protection Areas
The Borough of Rouseville is dependent upon ground water as its source of
drinking water. The Borough is serviced by the Rouseville Municipal
Waterworks which maintains four wells and two springs.
Rouseville WHP Program -2- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993
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Wells #3 and #4 and spring #2 are on the eastern side of Cherry Creek and
were found to be contaminated with chloride in 1979. Wells #3 and #4 have
not been used in recent years, and spring #2 is only used when mixed with
the other sources to dilute the contaminants. i
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The principal water supply consists of wells #1 and 2 and spring #1. These
ground water sources are located on the western side of Cherry Creek (see
figure and cross section) and are of excellent quality.
The wells are approximately 30-35 feet in depth and tap the Pocono Group
glacial drift and sandstones. The sandstone aquifer is confined by overlying
shale units. Recharge to the wells is derived both from direct infiltration into
the shallow sand and gravel outwash deposits and as result of leakage
vertically through fractures in the shale. \
The water system services 263 connections and has an average demand of
63,746 gallons/day. Wells #1 & 2 have maximum rated pumping capacities of
30,000 gallons/day each and spring #1 at 50,000 gallons/day. ,;
The wellhead protection areas were delineated based upon information
supplied by the USGS regarding surface topography and watersheds. These
areas approximate those land areas where both surface water drainage and
ground water may contribute to the wells and springs. Surface water drainage
is likely to infiltrate into the valley-fill glacial outwash sand and gravel
deposits as it flows towards Cherry Creek in the area of the water supply
sources. The surface drainage area also approximates that zone in which
downward leakage through the shale layers may reach the water sources.
Water levels taken in wells during our 6 May 1993 site visit indicate flow
toward the Creek (and discharging as springs at the surface of the land
immediately upgradient and adjacent to the Creek. See Table 1).
Rouseville WHP Program -3- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993 >
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Table 1. Ground Water Levels (Feet)
Rouseville, Pennsylvania
Measured 6 May 1993
Surface Elevation Water Elevation
Well (MSL) Depth to Water (MSL)
MW-1* 1,360 12.5 1,347
Well #4 1,355 • 11.0 1,344
Well #3 1,340 (-2) 1,342
*MW-1 is a monitoring well which was found during the site visit and is located
approximately 300 feet north of production well #4.
Note: The water level measured in well #3 was approximately two feet above the land
level indicating a discharge area forming a free-flowing spring.
Step #3 - Identification of Potential Contamination Sources
Potential sources of contamination within the delineated wellhead protection
areas to the two existing wells and the proposed well were determined from
USGS topographic maps and from information supplied by the Rouseville
Municipal Waterworks. A field survey of potential sources was also
conducted during our site visit on 6 May 1993.
Approximately 16 oil/gas wells are shown within the boundary of the eastern
watershed which contributes to spring #2 and wells #3 and #4. Many other
wells not shown on the USGS map are known to exist. The disposal of brines
from production wells is a possible source of the chlorides found in the
drinking water sources. Following the initial development of oil, water
flooding is commonly used to increase the yield of oil wells. To recover the
optimum amount of oil through the water-flooding method, the oil-bearing
formations are first fractured by high explosives, thereby increasing their
permeabilities. Then water is pumped down selected wells, and a mixture of
water and oil is pumped from adjacent wells into a separator. A typical
separator usually consists of a tank in which the oil, being lighter than the
water, separates from the water and floats to the top where most of it can be
withdrawn. If the oil-water mixture contains sufficient natural gas, this too
Rouseville WHP Program -4- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993 •
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may be withdrawn. The water is disposed of as waste, usually by discharging
it into shallow settling pits where the water seeps into the subsurface.
Even though the water pumped into the wells to flood the reservoirs is fresh,
the water pumped from the wells and discharged from the separators is
usually very high in salt content. This is because salty water is found at depth
and has been reported above and below the oil-bearing formations. The fresh
water pumped into the wells mixes with the salty water at lower depths and
becomes contaminated.
Thus, both oil and salt water are discharged during normal operations in an
active oil field and eventually find their way into both streams and ground-
water bodies, causing pollution. •
Pollution in the area of the oil fields is also caused by leaking wells, pipelines,
and separation tanks. Many of these installations are quite old and
sometimes in a state of disrepair, which increases the leakage problem. This
spilled oil and salt water can soak into the ground and reach the water table.
It should be pointed out that such leakage of oil on the land surface is not
intentional. Because .oil is the desired product of the wells, every attempt to
salvage as much as possible is usually made.
Abandoned oil wells and test holes may also present a problem if they are not
properly sealed and plugged. A producing oil well is usually abandoned
when it is no longer economically feasible to recover the oil, and test holes
are abandoned when not enough oil is found to justify development. In
either case, a considerable quantity of oil may be left in the formation. The oil
and associated salt water can migrate upward through the well and
eventually discharge at the land surface. The lift to the surface is provided by
either the regional or local ground-water flow systems. 1
Approximately 20 septic systems were also found within the delineated
wellhead protection areas. Septic systems can contribute nitrate-nitrogen,
2! "7" Horsley & Witten, Inc.
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bacteria, viruses and household hazardous wastes to the ground water
system.
A portion of the land area along Route 227 (which runs through the
delineated wellhead protection areas) is zoned for industrial uses. The
Cornplanter Township Zoning Ordinance (Section 305) allows a variety of
industrial uses within this zone including "electrical instrument
manufacturing, jewelry, printed material, machine tools, dies and gages,
plastic goods, pharmaceutical goods, oil refineries, etc" as Permitted Uses.
These uses pose potential threats to ground water quality and should be
prohibited or at a minimum be required to obtain a Special Exception Permit
to ensure adequate review and conditions.
Transportation-related accidents and road salting along Route 227 also pose a
possible contamination threat. Some of the wells are within 200 feet of the
highway. Therefore, little travel time is available to respond in the event of a
spill to prevent contamination from reaching the wells.
A more detailed inventory of potential contamination threats could be
accomplished by a volunteer group who could inspect facilities throughout
the delineated wellhead protection areas searching for underground storage
tanks, storage of chemicals and hazardous wastes, and other sources. Retired
senior citizens have proven to be a valuable resource in other areas of the
country in this regard.
Step #4 - Management Tools
Management approaches to wellhead protection can include both regulatory
and non-regulatory measures. Regulatory resources include zoning,
subdivision, and health ordinances. The Pennsylvania State Enabling
Legislation provides extensive authority to local governments to protect
water resources. Non-regulatory measures include monitoring and public
education. Table 2 provides a summary of potential wellhead protection
measures.
Rouseville WHP Program -8- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993
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prepared for emergencies.
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response in cases of contaminant
release or other emergencies
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Mapping of the regional WHP;
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support while creating land us:
controls within the WHPA will
require significant administrati
personnel and support.
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within WHPA's.
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Land use decisions within the Borough of Rouseville are controlled by the
Cornplanter Township Zoning Ordinance. According to Resolution 85-91,
made by the Borough of Rouseville, "wellhead and groundwater protection
in granting permits and in making zoning, planning, subdivision, and other
related land use ordinances, regulations, or decisions for areas possibly
affecting the wells of the Borough of Rouseville Water System, which wells
are located in Plumer, Cornplanter Township. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Borough of Rouseville requests notification for the purpose of
commenting on all such land use decision-making activities".
As noted above, however, the existing Cornplanter Township Zoning
Ordinance allows a variety of industrial uses within the wellhead protection
areas which pose ground water contamination risks. Participants at the 6 May
public meeting indicated that zoning revisions are currently being considered
and that wellhead protection provisions could be integrated into the zoning
ordinance, perhaps in the form an Overlay Zoning Amendment.
The oil wells which are located within the delineated wellhead protection
areas are subject to EPA's Underground Injection Control Program. Under
this program they must be registered with the EPA. These wells should be
evaluated as contamination sources and appropriate remediation
undertaken.
Another non-regulatory tool which could be implemented is the posting of
"Wellhead Protection Area" signs along Route 227. This would serve two
functions: First it would educate residents by providing an obvious physical
connection between land areas and drinking water supplies. It would also
serve as a warning to truck drivers carrying hazardous cargoes that they are
entering a sensitive environmental resource area.
Step #5 - Public Education
A public meeting was held on Tuesday, 6 May 1993, in the Borough of
Rouseville. This preliminary wellhead protection plan was presented and
Rouseville WHP Program ^1A- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993
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discussed. Approximately two dozen citizens and local officials attended.
Future public meetings arid workshops are recommended to'ensure
implementation of the wellhead protection plan.
The posting of "Wellhead Protection Area" signs, as mentioned above, would
serve as an effective public education tool. Septic system maintenance and
could be accomplished though mailing of educational brochures on the
subject available from EPA, the Pennsylvania DER, and the Pennsylvania
League of Women Voters.
Rouseville WHP Program -15- Horsley & Witten, Inc.
21 May 1993
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