NEW MEXICO: ACOMA PUEBLO University and EPA Collaborate with Tribe to Implement and Promote Wellhead Protection Background Location: The Pueblo of Acoma covers more than 591 square miles and is located in west- central New Mexico. The tribe's population is 6,344 members. Water Supply: The Pueblo of Acoma is totally dependent on ground water. The Haaku Water Office operates 14 wells and four storage tanks. Source Water Assessment: In April 2001, the Haaku Water Office, University of New Mexico's Environmental Finance Center and the EPA Region 6 Tribal Source Water Assessment Team completed a source water assessment for the four public water supply systems owned by the pueblo. The Main Pueblo community water supply system, the Sky City Casino non-community water supply system, and the Acoma Spring non-community water supply system were determined to have a medium susceptibility to contamination. The Sky City community water supply system was determined to have a low susceptibility rating. The Source Water Assessment was updated in September 2006 with no significant changes to the susceptibility of the wells assessed. Priority Contamination Threats The major threat to the pueblo's drinking water supply is microbial contamination from residential septic systems and livestock grazing within the source water protection areas. Abandoned water supply wells and underground storage tanks were also identified as a threat to water quality. Interstate Highway 40 is a major transportation corridor traversing the northern portion of the tribal lands and was identified as a potential threat. In response to this threat, two wells were drilled and completed south of the interstate and are being used to supplement drinking water from wells that are most at risk to contamination. Local Team and Developing the Protection Plan The Haaku Water Office developed and implemented an EPA approved Wellhead Protection (WHP) program in March 2000. The Haaku Water Office is the lead tribal agency responsible for implementing the WHP program and works closely with area stakeholders on source water protection. Management Measures The Haaku Water Office source water protection program is based on partnering with federal and local stakeholders, and uses completed source water assessments to prioritize protection activities. Using Safe Drinking Water Act Set-Aside funds provided by EPA Region 6, the tribe implemented measures to protect their drinking water supply: • Installed 4' X 4' concrete pads around each well head to divert runoff away from well; Office of Water (4606M) 816F10024 January 2010 ------- • Sculptured area around all well heads to divert storm water runoff away from well area; • Installed/repaired security fencing around all public drinking water wells; • Developed well plugging and abandonment procedures for Tribal Water Code; and • Implemented source water protection outreach and education for tribe. The tribe produced a video that documents prioritizing protection activities, including field examples of implemented protection management practices. The video captures the diversity of threats to water quality found on the pueblo, from the high volume of truck traffic near the casino to wildlife grazing near unprotected wellhead structures. The video is used by the tribe as a training aid for promoting source water protection to other tribes. Contingency Planning The EPA is responsible for working with the tribes to ensure that drinking water supplies are restored in the event of a disruption of service. The Region 6 Tribal Drinking Water program will provide technical assistance and funding to ensure an uninterupted drinking water supply for tribes that need assistance. Measuring Program Effectiveness EPA Region 6 Tribal Drinking Water program works with the New Mexico Rural Water Association to ensure that tribes maintain a viable Source Water Protection program. The NMRWA Tribal Source Water Protection program Circuit Rider visits with the tribes to provide assistance and training on Source Water Protection and then reports implementation progress to EPA. For further information, contact: Laura Watchempino Director/Liaison Haaku Water Office (505) 552-6604 Office of Water (4606M) 816F10024 January 2010 ------- |