United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(WH-550)
EPA813-B-92-003A
September 1992
WELLHEAD
PROTECTION
IMPLEMENTATION
TRAINING
Module 1:
Overview
Briefing and Detailed
Instructor's Notes
WELLHEAD
PROTECTION
VERTICAL PROFILE
Zone of Contribution-
Zone of Influence*\
Land
SurfK*
Ground
A1
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Horsley & Witlen, Inc.
Environmental Services 28 September 1993
3179 Main St., Courthouse Square
Post Office Box 7
Barnstable, Massachusetts 02630
Telephone: 508.362.5570 Ms- Marjorie D. Wesley
Outreach and Education
Facsimile: 508.362.5335 office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Wetlands Division (A-104F)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Marjorie:
Please find enclosed the Train the Trainers package as promised.
Please call once you return from travel. I very much look forward
to talking with you soon.
Very truly yours,
&\WITTEN, INC.
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Slide # O-01
7 ELEMENTS Wellhead Protection
CD- Specify Duties
HI* Delineate Wellhead Protection Areas
(D* Identify Potential Contaminant Sources
ID* Develop Management Approaches
(5|* Develop Contingency Plan
(£) Plan for New Wells
B» Implement Public Participation
Seven Elements of
Wellhead Protection
Key Points to Cover:
Wellhead Protection (WHP) Program has 7 distinct elements, drawn from the
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 1986 Amendments
Program is designed to be effective for a variety of hydrogeologic settings and
contaminant sources
Program is designed to protect existing and future wells
Program focuses on protecting ground water resource through land use
planning and management
Element 7, Public Participation, should be ongoing throughout the project; other
elements are sequential
Notes
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Wellhead Protection Program Slide # O-01
Seven Elements
The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) specify seven
elements which must be included in any wellhead protection (WHP) plan. The SDWA
further requires that states establish WHP programs that address and satisfy all seven
elements. These need to be incorporated in WHP plans in order to obtain EPA
approval.
EPA provides leadership and guidance to the states and tribes for development of
WHP programs. Various reference materials are available; some of these are
described in Module 9, the Annotated Bibliography of WHP Documents. Program
grants and technical assistance are also components of the EPA WHP program. The
primary responsibility for water protection, however, lies with the individual states or
tribes.
Approved programs specify the roles and responsibilities of local governments, tribes,
and water suppliers in developing local protection plans. The seven elements in these
approved programs translate into five steps. It is important for the instructor to
differentiate between the elements and the steps. The five steps are as follows:
1) Form a community planning team (this corresponds to Element 1, Specify
duties, and Element 7, Involve the public);
2) Define the land area to be protected (this corresponds to Element 2,
Delineate the wellhead protection area (WHPA));
3) Identify and locate potential contaminant sources (this corresponds to
Element 3, Identify contaminant sources);
4) Manage the protection area (this corresponds to Element 4, Manage the
WHPA, and Element 7, Involve the public);
5) Plan for the future (this includes Element 5, Plan for emergencies, Element 7,
Involve the public, and Element 6, Plan for new wells).
Both the elements and the steps are sequential, except that public participation should
occur throughout the process. The steps provide a suggested planning sequence;
there may be other acceptable approaches. Considerable flexibility is allowed in
programs as long as the seven elements are included.
Wellhead protection is designed to protect ground water contributing to public water
supplies, through land use planning and management. This includes not only water
that is currently used as a water supply, but also water that may be used in the future
for that purpose. The instructor may wish to point out that some of the WHP
techniques can also be applied to private water supplies, such as techniques for
delineating the area contributing water to the well. Many of the management
techniques are also suitable for protection of surface water resources.
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The program is designed to be effective in varying hydrogeological settings. The
instructor may wish to provide examples of several hydrologic regimes, such as
fractured bedrock, limestone, and sand and gravel aquifers. Delineation and
management techniques vary for these different ground water resources.
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NON-TEXT PAGE
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Slide # O-02A
ELEMENT ONE
SPECIFY DUTIES :
State / Local Agencies
Tribal Government
Public Water
Supply Systems
Element One:
Specify Duties
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
Determine roles and responsibilities so all players will be involved in
wellhead protection
Include representation from other communities if water resource is regional
Where possible, incorporate WHP tasks with existing or planned relevant state,
tribal, and local water resource protection programs
Include determination of lead agency and communication pathways
Project schedule and goals statement may be prepared as part of this element
Notes
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Slide # O-02B
Photo of meeting with subtitle.
"Specify Duties"
Element One:
Specify Duties
Option B: picture slide
Key Points to Cover:
Determine roles and responsibilities so all players will be involved in
wellhead protection
Include representation from other communities if water resource is regional
Where possible, incorporate WHP tasks with existing or planned relevant state,
tribal, and local water resource protection programs
Include determination of lead agency and communication pathways
Project schedule and goals statement may be prepared as part of this element
Notes.
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Element One
Specify Duties
Options A or B
Slide #O-02
(AorB)
Section 1428 of the SDWA states that all state and local entities or water suppliers that
may have a role in WHP should be identified. The instructor may point out examples
of WHP players, such as:
Local/Tribal Public Officials
water superintendent
planning commission
wetlands or natural resources commission
soil and erosion control officials
chief elected official
health department
fire department
county government
Spec al Interests
private water suppliers
agricultural representatives
chambers of commerce
developers
industry representatives
environmental organizations
watershed organizations
Community Groups
League of Women Voters
Rotary, Lions Club, etc.
neighborhood associations
senior citizens/retired persons
Outside Groups
officials of neighboring towns
representatives of non-tribal owners of land within tribal boundaries
regional planning officials
state water resource officials
university/college/research institute representatives.
All interests in town should be represented, and if the water resource is regional,
representation should be included from communities that share the resource. For
each player, the role and responsibility should be determined. Communication
pathways also should be developed to insure coordination of effort. Where possible,
existing duties and authority should be utilized in the wellhead protection program,
and new authority and organizational capacity created only if necessary.
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A leader/lead agency for the WHP team should be selected. Technical expertise is not
as important for the leader as is organizational ability and willingness to coordinate the
players.
Once the team is organized, goals and priorities of WHP may be determined. Note
that selection of appropriate objectives will provide benchmarks for the program, and
allow progress to be evaluated. The design of the WHP and application of resources
to each of objective will depend, in part, on technical and financial resources of the
community. The instructor may wish to point out that there are risk assessment
programs available to assist the team in determining the greatest threat to the public
water supplies (see also Module 9 for information on WHP references). Using a
ranking system helps the community to focus its efforts. One risk ranking system is
shown below, a simple matrix which compares the likelihood of contamination against
the probability of impacts:
Probable Impact
Low Medium High
open storage of underground
road salt storage tanks
High
Likelihood Of stormwater pipeline
Contamination Medium drains leaks
rural density
septic systems
Low
If the majority of threats to public water supplies in the community fall in the low-low or
low-medium boxes, wellhead protection priorities will be different from protection
priorities if threats fall primarily in the high-high and high-medium categories.
Professionals may be employed to assist with the assessment of risk.
Lastly, a project schedule may be determined in this step of the WHP program.
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Slide # O-03A
ELEMENT TWO
FOR EACH PUBLIC SUPPLY WELL
Delineate the Wellhead Protection
Area (WHPA)
Various Methods
Available
Element Two:
Delineate WHPA
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
The wellhead protection area (WHPA) = the surface and subsurface area through
which contaminants are likely to move toward and reach a water well or wellfield
Several methods are available to map - delineate - the area to be protected on a
map; selection of a method for application depends on individual state require-
ments, local hydrology, technical resources, and financial wherewithal
State and federal technical assistance is available; a professional hydrogeologist
may be needed
Some states/tribes have specified delineation methods and WHPA shapes and
sizes which are directly transferable to a local region
Delineation allows the community to focus its management efforts, avoid excessive
management and regulation in areas that do not contribute to the well, and avoid
spending time and funds on analysis of non-critical areas
More detail on delineation is provided in later module
Notes
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Slide # 0-03B
Delineate WHPA
Element Two:
Delineate WHPA
Option B: graphic slide
Key Points to Cover:
The wellhead protection area (WHPA) = the surface and subsurface area through
which contaminants are likely to move toward and reach a water well or wellfield
Several delineation methods are available; selection depends on individual
state requirements, local hydrogeology, technical resources, and financial
wherewithal
State and federal technical assistance is available; a professional hydrogeologist
may be needed
Some states/tribes have specified delineation methods and WHPA shapes and
sizes which are directly transferable to a local region
Delineation allows the community to focus its management efforts, avoid excessive
management and regulation in areas that do not contribute to the well, and avoid
spending time and funds on analysis of non-critical areas
More detail on delineation is provided in later module
Notes.
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Element Two Slide # O-03
Delineate WHPA (A or B)
Options A or B
The wellhead protection area (WHPA) is the surface and subsurface area through
which contaminants are likely to move toward and reach a water well or wellfield. This
is often referred to as the primary recharge area or drainage basin to the wellhead.
Delineation, or identification, of the WHPA means determining the extent of the land
area that requires protection. Delineation not only focuses protection strategies on
areas that contribute to drinking water, but also focuses use of technical and financial
support, avoiding excessive management and regulation in areas that are not critical.
There are several delineation methods available, ranging from simply drawing a circle
around the well to complex modeling and mapping. Instructors should note that four of
these methods are discussed in the following slides, and more information is provided
in the Delineation Module of the kit.
A good initial interim strategy, if a delineation method has not yet been specified, is to
draw a circle with radius of one-half to one mile around the public supply well(s). This
interim WHPA can be refined later. The radius size may be selected by reference to
an existing WHPA in hydrolpgically similar conditions, where research has
determined an appropriate size. However, this method is not appropriate for all
hydrologic environments, for example, in karst terrain (limestone with solution cavities
and channels).
Ideally, site-specific information such as aquifer type and well pumping rate is used to
determine the WHPA, so that the area best represents actual hydrologic conditions.
The instructor may wish to point out that if methods are only approximate, a larger
WHPA should be delineated, to be conservative. Also, the WHPA may include sub-
WHPAs, or zones. For example, a primary WHPA might be a fence around the
wellhead at a 400 foot radius, to prevent physical threats to the well, with a secondary
WHPA including all areas of ground water recharge, and a tertiary WHPA including
land which contributes surface runoff to the secondary WHPA.
The wellhead protection area is drawn on a base map, usually a topographic map,
such as the US Geological Survey quadrangles, but county and local maps, soil
survey maps (US Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service) or hydrologic atlas
maps (USGS) may also be used. Superimposition of the WHPA onto community
zoning maps is useful in later stages of the WHP program.
EPA has published guidance documents on WHPA delineation, including the "WHPA
Code", a modular, semi-analytical model for protection area delineation designed for
use with personal computers. The Code is accompanied by an instructor's manual
and the requisite software. EPA assistance in using the Code is available.
Many states have WHP programs that require use of specific delineation methods.
Local hydrogeologists, engineers, consultants, and university researchers or
professors may also be available to assist in the delineation process, as may officials
of federal, state, county and tribal agencies such as EPA, US Geological Survey, Soil
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Conservation Service, state health and environmental departments and county
extension services.
Please note that Option A (text slide) uses slightly different language from Option B
(graphic slide).
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Slide # 0-04
""" »«M1
METHODS OF
DELINEATION
Arbitrary Fixed Radius
Calculated Fixed Radius
Simplified Variable Shapes
Analytical Methods
Numerical Methods
Hydrogeologic Mapping
Methods of Delineation
Key Points to Cover:
There are several methods for delineation of wellhead protection areas, ranging from
the simple to the complex, with corresponding increases in cost and effort
Using the simple methods, the wellhead protection area is a circle
Using the more complex methods, or a combination of methods, the WHPA is a
more complicated shape
Delineation methods may or may not include field investigations. Inclusion of such
work, as well as specific site data, makes the WHPA more accurate
Many states have already determined which wellhead delineating methods are to be
used for all WHPAs in the state. Communities in such states, therefore, will not
need to select a method unless there is a reason to believe that state-required
method is not appropriate (e.g., very different hydrogeology from rest of state)
Notes
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Methods of Delineation Slide # O-04
There are several methods of delineating wellhead protection areas, ranging from
simple to complex, with corresponding cost and effort for their completion. The next six
slides illustrate and comment on the characteristics of these methods.
Selection of a delineation method requires an understanding of the characteristics of
each of the methods, including cost of delineation, degree of accuracy of delineation,
and risk of contamination to the water supply. Generally, the more complex the
delineation method, the more precise and the more expensive it will be to complete.
Commonly, the complexity of WHPA shapes increase with the inclusion of more site-
specific data and more analytical effort.
Many states, tribes, and territories have determined the delineation procedure to be
used for wells under their jurisdiction. For presentations in these regions, the
instructor may prefer to limit discussion to the method specified by the existing WHP
program. Therefore, one or more of the following six slides may be omitted.
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Slide # O-05
WHPA
Delineation Methods
Arbitrary Fixed Radius
WHPA Delineation Methods:
Arbitrary (Discretionary)
Fixed Radius
Key Points to Cover:
Circle drawn around well = WHPA
Radius may be a combination of setbacks needed for different contaminants, but
should represent the minimum distance needed for attenuation of the most
conservative contaminant
The radius is arbitrary only in the sense that site-specific calculations are not
performed. The radius must be justified, and the simplest approach may be to
borrow a radius size from an existing, EPA-approved WHP program
Most appropriate for bacterial threats and physical threats such as vandalism
Quick, inexpensive and simple to apply, this method is often used for interim
protection or as a first step in a protection plan
No tes
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WHPA Delineation Methods: Slide # O-05
Arbitrary (Discretionary) Fixed Radius
(The instructor should note that the four slides on WHPA delineation methods are
included in the overview to provide examples of delineation methods, not to use as
teaching slides for delineation theory. The Delineation Module of this kit provides
more slides and more information on WHPA delineation than that provided here.)
The simplest method to delineate a WHPA is to draw a circle around the wellhead on
the base map. This method uses a fixed radius, determined somewhat arbitrarily, in
that local conditions are not incorporated. However, the radius is based on minimum
setback distances needed for attenuation of ground water contaminants such as
bacteria derived from on-site septic systems. While setbacks for more than one
contaminant may be considered, the radius selected should be the distance necessary
for attenuation of the most conservative contaminant. For example, if metals can travel
further in ground water than can bacteria in certain hydrogeologic environments, the
metals setback should be used. The arbitrary (discretionary) radius method is most
effective for bacterial threats and physical threats to the wellhead (such as vandalism).
As stated in the briefing notes, the term "arbitrary" does not mean that the radius is not
scientifically justifiable. One approach a community can take to justify a radius size is
to borrow a radius and the determining research and documentation from an EPA-
approved wellhead protection program for a hydrologically similar region.
Because this method is simple, quick and inexpensive, it can be used as a first step in
WHP, with the WHPA modified as more information becomes available. As mentioned
earlier, a one-half to one mile radius may determine a reasonably effective initial
WHPA.
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Slide # O-06
WHPA Delineation Methods
Calculated Fixed Radius
Well Pumping (Q) = Recharge (R)
WHPA Delineation Methods:
Calculated Fixed Radius
Source: Horsley & Witten, Inc., 1991
Key Points to Cover:
Circle drawn around well = WHPA
Method based on setback distances for potential contaminants
Calculated radius may be based on time-of-travel approach or hydrologic
budget approach
Local conditions including well construction, aquifer characteristics, and pumping
rates are incorporated into radius calculations
Size of the calculated WHPA is proportionate to the volume of water pumped. The
accuracy of the method is limited in that it does not account for all of the factors that
influence contaminant transport, including the slope of the water table and the
effects of significant hydrologic boundaries
Notes
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WHPA Delineation Methods: Slide # O-06
Calculated Fixed Radius
(The instructor should note that the four slides on WHPA delineation methods are
included in the overview to provide examples of delineation methods, not to use as
teaching slides for delineation theory. The Delineation Module of this kit provides
more slides and more information on WHPA delineation than that provided here.)
As with the fixed radius method, this method also uses a circle drawn around the well
as the WHPA. However, the radius is determined less arbitrarily, and incorporates
local conditions. Site information which may be incorporated includes: well
construction details, pumping rate, and aquifer characteristics.
The area of the calculated fixed radius WHPA is proportionate to the amount of water
pumped. Calculation of the radius may follow a time of travel approach, where the
volume of the aquifer (ground water) which flows to the well within a specific time
period is determined. Alternatively, the calculation may be based on a hydrologic
budget, where the WHPA is a function of that circular area which recharges water at
an equal rate to that which is pumped.
The accuracy of this method is limited because it assumes average and uniform
conditions throughout the aquifer. It does not incorporate all the factors that may
influence transport of contaminants to a well, as more detailed calculations or
modeling would. Nonetheless, the accuracy is often adequate for protection planning
purposes.
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Slide # O-07
WHPA
Delineation Methods
Simplified Variable Shapes
WHPA Delineation Methods:
Simplified Variable Shapes
Key Points to Cover:
WHPA shape commonly elongated in direction of ground water flow
Method utilizes geometric shapes designed to approximate the hydrologic
characteristics associated with pumping wells in a particular area
Shape size and initial radius may be determined via calculations described for the
calculated radius method
No tes
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WHPA Delineation Methods: Slide # O-07
Simplified Variable Shapes
(The instructor should note that the four slides on WHPA delineation methods are
included in the overview to provide examples of delineation methods, not to use as
teaching slides for delineation theory. The Delineation Module of this kit provides
more slides and more information on WHPA delineation than that provided here.)
In this method, the WHPA is a geometric shape, designed as responsive to
approximate hydrologic characteristics of the aquifer under pumping well conditions.
The shapes are often elongated upgradient in the direction of natural ground water
flow, because areas upgradient of the well contribute water (and potentially
contaminants) from beyond the well's zone of influence. The shape before elongation
may be a simple circle determined with the arbitrary or fixed radius methods.
Among other factors, pumping rates affect the WHPA shape. For example, given
equivalent aquifer characteristics, the shape at the top left in the slide (or icon)
represents a WHPA delineated for a well pumping at a relatively high rate, while the
shape at the top right represents a WHPA delineated for a well pumping at a relatively
low rate.
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Slide # O-08
WHPA
Delineation Methods
Arbitrary Fixed Radius
Analytical Model
Hydrogeologic Mapping
WHPA-An.lytk.1
RtolonalJJrpund Walar-
WHPA Delineation Methods:
Combination
Key Points to Cover:
WHPA = variable shape based on local information and combination of delineation
methods
WHPA may be divided into zones, with an immediate protection zone surrounding
the well determined by fixed radius, and a more extensive area determined with
mapping and modeling
Analytical and numerical models, developed to simulate hydrologic conditions,
may be used but require site-specific aquifer characteristics data
Hydrogeologic mapping, based on field investigations including dye trace,
geophysics, and isotope aging, may also be applied
No tes.
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WHPA Delineation Methods: Slide # O-08
Combination
(The instructor should note that the four slides on WHPA delineation methods are
included in the overview to provide examples of delineation methods, not to use as
teaching slides for delineation theory. The Delineation Module of this kit provides
more slides and more information on WHPA delineation than that provided here.)
Using a combination of calculations, field mapping (ground water divide), and
numerical or analytical modeling, a WHPA may be determined which more closely
simulates actual conditions than one determined using the simpler methods. In the
slide, the analytically derived zone is delineated by the U-shaped line which is the
ground water flow divide between water that flows to the well and water that does not
flow to the well. On the downgradient side of this line, "X" in the diagram, the ground
water gradient is flat (ground water null point or stagnation point). Field mapping of
hydrologic conditions may be based on dye trace studies, geophysics, or isotope
aging. More information on analytical and numerical modeling is provided in Module
2, Delineation.
The combination of methods may result in a tiered WHPA, with a primary zone
determined by the fixed radius method, a secondary zone determined with modeling,
and a tertiary zone determined with hydrogeologic mapping. The combination that
includes the greatest extent of land becomes the WHPA. Management measures may
be applied to the whole area, or to specific zones of the WHPA.
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Slide # O-09A
ELEMENT THREE
IDENTIFY CONTAMINANT SOURCES:
Anthropogenic
Existing and Potential
Point and Non-Point
Element Three:
Identify Contaminant
Sources
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
Anthropogenic contaminant sources include both human-engendered contaminants
and "natural" contaminants released by human actions
Contaminants may be organic or inorganic, microbiological or radiological, liquid,
solid, or gaseous
Existing as well as potential contamination sources should be evaluated
Contaminants may derive from point or nonpoint sources
The City of El Paso, Texas, found use of retired volunteers for contaminant analysis
to be a cost-effective method of accomplishing this task
Notes
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Slide # O-09B
Identify Contaminant
Sources
Element Three:
Identify Contaminant
Sources
Option B: graphic slide
Key Points to Cover:
Anthropogenic contaminant sources include both human-engendered contaminants
and "natural" contaminants released by human actions
Contaminants may be organic or inorganic, microbiological or radiological, liquid,
solid, or gaseous
Contaminants may derive from point or nonpoint sources
Existing as well as potential contamination sources should be evaluated
The City of El Paso, Texas, found use of retired volunteers for contaminant analysis
to be a cost-effective method to accomplish this task
Notes
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Element Three Slide # O-09
Identify Contaminant Sources (A or B)
Options A or B
According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, contaminants to be identified in the
wellhead protection program are anthropogenic contaminants, which may be
generated by humans, or released by human actions. These contaminants may take
any of various forms: solid, liquid, gas; inorganic, organic; microbiological or
radiological. The instructor may wish to give examples of common ground water
contaminants, such as:
nitrates from lawn, golf course, and agricultural fertilizers;
volatile organic compounds like toluene and benzene from petroleum spills;
bacteria and viruses from septic systems;
heavy metals from industrial discharge and urban runoff.
Contaminants may derive from point sources, such as industrial discharge pipes and
sewage treatment plant effluent pipes. Contaminants may also derive from npnpoint,
or diffuse, sources such as runoff, individual septic systems, agricultural practices,
leaking underground storage tanks (USTs), and landfills.
Contaminant source identification may begin with preparation of a list of possible
sources of ground water contamination in the community, based on local land uses.
An inventory of sources within the WHPA may then be conducted, investigating all
possible sources of contamination. Existing records on underground storage tanks
(often kept by the local fire department or health board), use of agricultural fertilizers
(often kept by the local extension agent), and other contaminants may be helpful in the
inventory. Discharge permits under state or federal programs (RCRA, state ground
water discharge programs, underground injection control programs, etc.) may also
provide information on contamination sources. Interviews with senior citizens who
remember historic land uses may provide valuable information on past contamination
sources.
Volunteers may be used successfully, such as high school classes, boy and girl scout
troops, and retired citizens, to complete this task of wellhead protection The WHPA
can be divided into areas, and volunteers given sections to inventory. Use of
volunteers lowers costs and increases public participation in the project.
All existing and potential contamination sources noted in the inventory may be placed
on a master contamination source map. Such a map is extremely important for
management and protection of ground water. It provides not only an easily
understood summary of the local conditions, but also a valuable planning tool.
Contaminant source identification should not be limited to existing water supply
sources, but should also consider possible future sources. For example, the zoning
map or master plan for the community/tribe may show that industrial or commercial
activities may be possible within the WHPA, or that particularly dense residential
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development is possible close to the wellhead. Identification of potential threats
allows these threats to be kept in check.
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Slide #O-10
Agricultural ConfamlnstfcHi
Agricultural Contamination
of Ground water
Key Points to Cover:
Agriculture may be a source of nonpoint pollution: nutrients from fertilizers and
animal wastes, and organic chemicals from pesticides, spread on the land
Agricultural activities may also include point sources of contamination, as shown in
this slide, where wells may be conduits for pollutants to enter ground water
Agricultural activities may be exempt from many existing pollution control mecha-
nisms, so new management strategies may be required for wellhead protection
Irrigation can worsen pollution, by leaching recently applied chemicals
Contaminants can move from the surface down the annular space between the
well casing and the rock and into the aquifer, if the well is not properly constructed
with a seal
One leaky well could do it
Notes
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Aquifer Contaminated by Agricultural Runoff Slide # O-10
(The instructor should note that this slide is included in the overview as an example of
a contamination source. Further information on contamination of ground water is
provided in the Contamination Module.)
Agriculture, like many other land uses, may and does cause contamination of ground
water. Use of fertilizers, whether organic (manure) or inorganic (ammonia, nitrogen-
phosphprus-potassium salts) may result in release of excessive amounts of nitrogen to
the aquifer, causing nitrate contamination of drinking water. Use of pesticides such as
herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, nematicides, and insecticides, may cause release
of toxic organic compounds to ground water. Irrigation or heavy rain following
application of pesticides and fertilizers can worsen pollution, by infiltrating chemicals.
Petroleum compounds from agricultural machinery or storage tanks can also be a
source of ground water pollution. Irrigation wells are often constructed without proper
seals or screening, allowing surface runoff, perhaps laden with animal wastes or
pesticides, to directly enter the aquifer. Drainage wells are intended to transport
surface water into an aquifer.
Local/tribal agricultural practices should be carefully evaluated during the contaminant
inventory.
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Slide#O-11A
ELEMENT FOUR
MANAGE THE WHPA :
Management Tools
Public Education and Training
Demonstration
Projects
Element Four:
Manage the WHPA
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
Management approaches may include technical and financial assistance, education,
training, demonstration projects, and control measures
Control measures are the actual WHP tools, including regulatory, non-regulatory,
and legislative options
Regulatory options include zoning, health, subdivision, and conservation
ordinances or bylaws
Non-regulatory options include land acquisition, land donation, monitoring,
conservation restrictions, public education, and hazardous materials collection
Management approaches must be adopted and implemented in order to
be effective
Notes.
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Slide* 0-11B
Manage the WHPA
Element Four:
Manage the WHPA
Option B: graphic slide
Key Points to Cover:
Management approaches may include technical and financial assistance, education,
training, demonstration projects, and control measures
Control measures are the actual WHP tools, including regulatory, non-regulatory,
and legislative options
Regulatory options include zoning, health, subdivision, and conservation
ordinances
Non-regulatory options include land acquisition, land donation, monitoring,
conservation restrictions, public education, and hazardous materials collection
Management approaches must be adopted and implemented in order to
be effective
Notes
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Element Four Slide # O-11
Manage the WHPA (A or B)
Options A or B
Management of the wellhead protection area can take many guises, including
technical and financial assistance, demonstration projects, education, training, and
control measures. Control measures are designed to limit the entry of contaminants to
the WHPA, and may be regulatory, non-regulatory, or legislative.
Regulatory options include zoning, health, subdivision, and conservation ordinances
or bylaws. Zoning tools include the following:
WHPA overlay districts;
Prohibition of various land uses;
Special permitting;
Large lot zoning;
Transfer of development rights;
Cluster/PUD design;
Growth controls/timing
Performance standards.
Health tools include regulation of the following:
Underground storage tanks (USTs);
Privately owned wastewater treatment plants;
Septic system maintenance;
Hazardous waste and solid waste handling and disposal.
Subdivision tools include the following:
Drainage requirements;
Environmental impact assessments;
Performance standards;
Site design/landscaping;
Nitrogen loading criteria.
Conservation tools include:
Natural vegetated buffers;
Surface water discharge regulation;
Erosion and sedimentation control;
Restrictions on pesticides and fertilizers.
Instructors should note that more information on these techniques is provided in the
Tools Module (Module 4).
Non-regulatory control measures include land acquisition, land donation, water quality
monitoring, conservation restrictions, public education, and hazardous materials
collection.
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Legislative measures may be required for regional resources, to allow all communities
sharing the aquifer to coordinate management strategies.
The instructor may wish to emphasize that any control measures selected must be
adopted and implemented in order to have any effect. The effort required to develop,
adopt, and implement any of the above techniques will vary with the type of tool and
with the local conditions. For example, non-regulatory tools are frequently easier to
implement than regulatory tools since public review and approval may not be
necessary.
Note that use of the graphic slide, Option O-11B, requires a more technical
background than Option O-11A.
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Slide #O-12A
ELEMENT FIVE
PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES:
Alternative Water Supplies
Emergency Contacts
-S2S.
«««.» mm
Element Five:
Plan for Emergencies
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
Contingency planning includes knowing who to call for backhoe services in the
middle of the night, which lab will open at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, and who acts as
emergency officer
Contingency planning is a critical step in wellhead protection: accidents may occur
before or despite WHP program implementation
Alternate drinking water supplies are specified for each existing supply
Financial and time considerations are part of contingency planning
Notes
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Slide #0-12B
Photo of fuel storage tank fire with
subtitle. "Plan for Emergencies"
Element Five:
Plan for Emergencies
Option B: picture slide
Source: D. Hall. City of Dayton. OH. 1990
Key Points to Cover:
Contingency planning includes knowing who to call for backhoe services in the
middle of the night, which lab will open at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, and who acts as
emergency officer
Contingency planning is a critical step in wellhead protection: accidents may occur
before or despite WHP program implementation
Alternate drinking water supplies are specified for each existing supply
Financial and time considerations are part of contingency planning
Notes
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Element Five Slide # O-12
Plan for Emergencies (A or B)
Options A or B
Despite protection efforts, a public drinking water supply may become temporarily or
permanently contaminated. Therefore it is important to plan for emergencies, or to
develop a contingency plan. The instructor may wish to provide examples of
emergency water supply scenarios, such as:
Release of diesel fuel from an underground storage tank at an automobile
service station within the WHPA;
Sodium contamination to well from use of road salt on a highway adjacent to
the wellhead;
Presence of cadmium in drinking water due to use of fungicides on a golf
course upgradient of the public supply well.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, contingency plans are to be
developed for all major public water supplies. "Major" is defined by each state, and
may be based on population density, water use patterns, responsibility for water
provision, etc. (The instructor may wish to provide his/her state's definition.) For each
major water supply source, alternate supplies should be planned, for both temporary
emergencies and for permanent contamination situations.
Emergency planning includes practical, logistical information, such as telephone
numbers for the fire department, wellhead protection manager, police, backhoe
services, water quality laboratories, and so on. Planning also includes financial
considerations, such as how the expense of bottled water, or chlorination in bacterial
contamination incidents will be covered. Coordination mechanisms and responsible
individuals or agencies should be specified.
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NON-TEXT PAGE
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Slide #O-13A
ELEMENT SIX
PLAN FOR NEW WELLS :
Project Future Needs
Develop Management Strategies
for New WHPA's
Element Six:
Plan For New Wells
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
WHP planning includes analysis of potential future wellfield areas
New wells may be sited in existing wellfields or in previously undeveloped water
supply areas
Wells added to existing wellfields or modification of existing wells (increased with-
drawal rates may necessitate adjustment of wellhead protection areas
New wells represent the opportunity to avoid contaminant threats impacting
existing wells through knowledgable location selection. Therefore new wells should
be carefully planned and installed. For example, if a town's existing well has be
come surrounded by such potential groundwater-contaminating land uses as air
ports, service stations, and drycleaners, a new well may perhaps be sited in a cur-
rently undeveloped tract of land, and preventative protection measures set in place
to prevent development of conflicting land uses
Water conservation plans as alternatives or adjuncts to development should be
considered at this stage
Notes
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Slide # 0-13B
Plan for New Wells
Element Six:
Plan For New Wells
Option B: graphic slide
Key Points to Cover:
WHP planning includes analysis of potential future wellfield areas
New wells may be sited in existing wellfields or in previously undeveloped water
supply areas
Wells added to existing wellfields or modification of existing wells (increased with-
drawal rates may necessitate adjustment of wellhead protection areas
New wells represent the opportunity to avoid contaminant threats impacting
existing wells through knowledgable location selection. Therefore new wells should
be carefully planned and installed. For example, if a town's existing well has be
come surrounded by such potential groundwater-contaminating land uses as air
ports, service stations, and drycleaners, a new well may perhaps be sited in a cur-
rently undeveloped tract of land, and preventative protection measures set in place
to prevent development of conflicting land uses
Water conservation plans as alternatives or adjuncts to development should be
considered at this stage
Notes
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Element Six Slide # O-13
Plan for New Wells (A or B)
Options A or B
Community growth, water use changes, or permanent wellfield contamination may
result in the need for new wells. These wells may be sited in existing wellfields,
necessitating adjustments in existing WHPAs, or they may be sited in a previously
undeveloped water supply area, necessitating delineation of a new WHPA.
New wells should be sited to maximize well yield while minimizing contamination
threats. For example, an area zoned for large lot residential development is a better
location for a new well than an area zoned for commercial use, provided the aquifer
characteristics are equivalent.
Alternative control measures may be possible for new wells, and public interest in
protection may be generated as part of the siting process. Careful planning for new
wells may be begun in advance of their need, and be incorporated into the overall
WHP program.
The majority of states, including all those with EPA-approved WHP programs, have
specific requirements to ensure a safe location for new water supplies. These
requirements include water quality and quantity testing prior to site approval.
Requirements vary with the well's size and the type of service it will provide. As in
other tasks of the WHP process, coordination with the state is recommended.
Water conservation to reduce demand is an alternative to development that should be
included as an element of development planning. Although water suppliers are
required to meet demand, management of demand is an effective alternative.
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NON-TEXT PAGE
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Slide #O-14A
ELEMENT SEVEN
INVOLVE THE PUBLIC :
Technical Committees
Citizen Groups
Encourage Broad
Involvement
Element Seven:
Involve the Public
Option A: text slide
Key Points to Cover:
Public participation is not the final element of WHP, but should be ongoing during
the WHP process
Passive participation may take the form of disseminated information
More interaction may be elicited with workshops or citizen monitoring programs
The City of El Paso, Texas, tapped the resource of knowledgeable, interested,
retired citizens to conduct contamination identification tasks
High school and college classes also represent potential sources of volunteer,
quality assistance for WHP tasks
Local/tribal officials and active citizens may play a major role in eventual
adoption of WHP control measures
Effective public participation in a WHP develops public commitment to and support
of the plans that the public participated in developing, thereby lessening the poten-
tial for opposition to the plans.
Notes
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Slide #O-14B
Photo of public site visit with
subtitle, "Involve the Public"
Element Seven:
Involve the Public
Option B: picture slide
Key Points to Cover:
Public participation is not the final element of WHP, but should be ongoing during
the WHP process
Passive participation may take the form of disseminated information
More interaction may be elicited with workshops or citizen monitoring programs
The City of El Paso, Texas, tapped the resource of knowledgeable, interested,
retired citizens to conduct contamination identification tasks
High school and college classes also represent potential sources of volunteer,
quality assistance for WHP tasks
Local/tribal officials and active citizens may play a major role in eventual
adoption of WHP control measures
Effective public participation in a WHP develops public commitment to and support
of the plans that the public participated in developing, thereby lessening the poten-
tial for opposition to the plans.
Notes
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Element Seven Slide # O-14
Involve the Public (A or B)
Options A or B
Throughout the wellhead protection process, public participation should be
encouraged. The public may be involved in a variety of ways-both passive and
interactive. Brochures may be distributed and posters displayed, illustrating WHP
program steps as they are planned or completed. Workshops may be held and water
awareness events planned.
Public involvement may also take the form of assistance with WHP tasks. Use of
volunteers not only educates and motivates the public, but also reduces program
costs. Volunteers may be used in contamination source identification, development of
control measures, and in water quality monitoring programs. For example, El Paso,
Texas, successfully used retirees to conduct its contaminant source inventory. High
school and college classes are other sources of volunteers.
Public interest in WHP may be critical for adoption of control measures, since many of
these may be more restrictive than existing ordinances. Involvement of local/tribal
officials and active citizens may speed the adoption and implementation processes for
management tools. Broad public support and support from a communities leaders will
tend to lessen the potential opposition to the plans.
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NON-TEXT PAGE
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Slide#O-15
INTEGRATION OF WHP WITH
OTHER SDWA REQUIREMENTS
Vulnerability Assessments
Sanitary Surveys
Watershed Control Programs
Ground Water Under the Direct
Influence of Surface Water
Safe Drinking Water Act and
Wellhead Protection
Integration
Key Points to Cover:
Other SDWA programs include components of WHP; integration avoids duplication
of efforts
Information gathering, an important component of resource protection, may be
transferable from one program to another
The Underground Injection Control Program (UIC) may provide information on
location of contaminant threats to public water supplies as may sanitary surveys
conducted under the Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring required under various programs may form part of a WHP contingency
plan
WHP Actions may replace treatment requirements under the Surface Water
Treatment Act
Notes
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SDWA and WHP Integration Slide # O-15
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, three programs address protection of
drinking water:
the Public Water Supply Supervision Program (PWSS);
the Underground Injection Control Program (UIC);
the Wellhead Protection Program (WHP).
Integration of these programs (and applicable state programs) saves duplication of
efforts. All three programs may include such tasks as: information collection, sanitary
surveys, monitoring, contaminant source inventories, vulnerability assessments,
contingency planning, and management measures. Task completion may be
distributed between programs, and results transferred to all.
The UIC program keeps records of injection wells, which may be threats to WHPAs.
Similarly, sanitary surveys conducted under the PWSS Program may also provide
contaminant source information to the WHP project.
Monitoring conducted under the PWSS program may replace monitoring needed for
WHP evaluation, and WHP programs may reduce the required monitoring frequency.
Because the programs overlap considerably, it is important to explore coordination of
efforts between programs, and to include representatives from related programs on the
WHP planning team. Other federal programs may also provide useful information to
the WHP process, such as RCRA, FIFRA, NPDES, and so on. More information on
these programs may be obtained from the Annotated Bibliography, Module 9. (The
instructor may wish to give examples of relevant state/tribal programs here.)
If the instructor prefers to keep the Overview presentation general, he/she may wish to
merely point out that there are several ongoing programs that a WHP effort should
consider as information sources, and not mention programs by name. This slide may
be omitted entirely to keep the presentation general.
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Slide # CM 6
STATE PROGRAM GOAL
SDWA ESTABLISHES
THE FUNDAMENTAL GOAL
"... to protect wellhead areas
within their Jurisdiction from
contaminants which may have
any adverse effect on the health
of persons."
State Program Goal
Key Points to Cover:
Summarize WHP program process and goals
Notes
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State Program Goal Slide # O-16
The SDWA wellhead protection goal provides a succinct summary of the material
discussed above, in that the seven elements, or five steps, are designed to meet this
goal. This slide is placed for the instructor to summarize his/her presentation, make
concluding remarks, and entertain questions.
The instructor may also use the Ground Water Task Force Policy Goal to summarize
the WHP process. This goal is as follows:
"The overall goal of EPA's ground water policy is to prevent adverse effects to human
health and the environment and to protect the environmental integrity of the nation's
ground water resources; in determining appropriate prevention and protection
strategies, EPA will also consider the use, value, and vulnerability of the resource, as
well as social and economic values."
NOTE: Avoid using this slide for local government groups
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