STATE OF IOWA. Water Quality

Transcription

1 Fields of Opportunities THOMAS J. VILSACK GOVERNOR SALLY J. PEDERSON LT. GOVERNOR STATE OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MARY MINCER HANSEN, RN, PhD DIRECTOR Iowa Department of Public Health, in conjunction with cooperative agreement work group members, established this document as a "model" environmental health program. Work group members were instructed to consider the program involved and format program activities into core functions and essential services. This document is the summation of that activity. Water Quality * The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has authority over water quality programs in Iowa. Enabling legislation is found in Iowa Code 455E.11 and 455B.172. *Rules are found in Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapter 39 - Properly Sealing Abandoned Wells Chapter 47 - Grants To Counties Information Chapter 49 - Non-Public Water Wells Chapter 69 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems * Contact information DNR Brent Parker Ph brent.parker@dnr.state.ia.us *Regional Offices - Field Office #1 Manchester Field Office #2 Mason City Field Office #3 Spencer Field Office #4 Atlantic Field Office #5 Des Moines Field Office #6 Washington CORE FUNCTION/Essential Service Model Program Activities ASSESSMENT/Monitor Health Status Know the state regional epidemiologist in your area. Respond to requests from the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) to monitor or investigate a case of reported or suspected waterborne illnesses as they relate to reportable diseases within your service area. Collect water samples of existing LUCAS STATE OFFICE BUILDING / 321 E. 12TH ST. / DES MOINES, IOWA DEAF RELAY (HEARING OR SPEECH IMPAIRED) / INTERNET: IDPH. STATE. IA. US/ DIRECTOR S OFFICE DIV. OF ADMINISTRATION DIV. OF COMMUNITY HEALTH DIV. OF HEALTH PROTECTION & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FAX/ FAX/ FAX/ FAX/ DIV. OF HEALTH PROMOTION, PREVENTION & ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS DIV. OF TOBACCO USE PREVENTION & CONTROL FAX/ FAX/

2 and new wells and compile results. Data can be entered into a database that can be queried to identify water quality problems, high-risk areas, and clusters of bad samples. Identify the number of private wells in your service area. Estimate the number of active vs. abandoned wells & determine population served by private wells. Be aware of private well water quality data. Use this information to identify any potential danger or risk areas. ASSESSMENT/Diagnose and Investigate Conduct wellhead assessments and site evaluations on new and existing (abandoned and stand-by) wells as necessary. Consider a time of transfer program for wells. Enter wellhead assessment data into a database for future diagnoses if contamination is found. Analyze water sample results. Could results cause illness? Do they fit into a high-risk area? Be able to explain the results and potential effects. Take follow up samples of wells following repair/renovation and shock chlorination to determine safety of drinking water. ASSESSMENT/Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality. Continually assess your program by answering questions like: * Is the sanitarian or homeowner taking the water samples? * Are our customers aware of our water well program? * Is our water well program accessible to everyone? * Are abandoned wells getting plugged once they have been identified? * Is private well water data indicating an improvement in drinking water quality? * Percentage of known wells sampled

3 vs. total number of wells. Have all wells been sampled? * Do you follow-up with wells that are contaminated? Abandoned? In need of repair? *Are new wells tested? Are they satisfactory? * Compare the number of sealed wells vs. number of abandoned wells. Ensure all wells are drilled by certified contractors and have received a permit. POLICY DEVELOPMENT/Develop policies and plans. Please Note: As a result of monitoring sampling data, EH may determine that small "quasi-public" systems in small, rural subdivisions are facing significantly higher water quality issues. The Board of Health (BOH) can (and has) adopted rules that require better management of such systems to improve water quality. Contact your regional DNR office for more information. POLICY DEVELOPMENT/Enforce laws and regulations. Develop a plan to address those areas that are in need of a community water supply (vs. individual wells). Develop management policies for areas with high nitrate and arsenic levels. Develop variance procedures for unique circumstances. Develop a subdivision ordinance. Establish BOH policies that address: permitting, application, site evaluation, notification by driller, grouting/drilling inspections, well log submission, and taking water samples. Develop a procedure/policy for abandoned wells; which ones have priority for sealing, how much cost share, etc? Issue permits for new construction, renovation/repair, and plugging of wells. Identify appropriate methods for rule enforcement, including BOH order, citation authority, etc. Develop policies/procedures to ensure compliance, certification, etc. of well drillers. Develop policies/procedure to address contaminated and high-risk sites. When a person is in violation of county rules/regulations, the

4 Grants-to-counties (GTC) provides a proactive means to enforce well abandonment requirements by providing homeowners an incentive to comply with well plugging requirements. POLICY DEVELOPMENT/Research new insights and innovative solutions. Buried slab construction and pit removal were relatively new concepts when GTC money became available for rehabilitation of existing wells. Through GTC application, these procedures have become common practice. ASSURANCE/Link people to needed service. sanitarian should work with the individual to come into compliance. (This could occur through letters, educational materials, phone calls, visits, etc.). Issue citations or use court action when necessary, hopefully as a last resort. Use diplomatic education to facilitate compliance. In confrontational situations it is best to remain as calm as possible. Issue permits; use permitting process to ensure compliance with construction standards, driller notification, well log submission, drilling with permit and contractor certification. The sanitarian should explore the possibility of new technology and the results of new research on topics such as water treatment methods, new drilling and grouting methods, and new uses of water Attend Iowa Water Well Association (IWWA), Iowa Ground Water Association (IGWA), and other educational conferences. Use grouting/drilling inspections as an opportunity to learn from drillers. Read your periodicals. The GTC program provides people with resources to address private water well needs. By identifying water conditions throughout the county, the sanitarian is able to notify homeowners or builders of possible water treatment needs, water sampling frequencies, abandoned well and renovation issues, household hazardous waste disposal and input on building plans (the construction of a new deck or porch which makes the wellhead inaccessible).

5 ASSURANCE/Ensure a competent workforce. The sanitarian must be kept current on the topic of water supply protection including construction methods, sampling techniques, water treatment devices, wellhead protection policies, and the avoidance of chemical contamination. ASSURANCE/Inform, educate, and empower people ASSURANCE/Mobilize community partnerships Provide information on topics including possible health effects from well contamination, how to do shock chlorination, etc. A portion of the GTC money is provided for administrative purposes, which can help to support training needs of local EH officials. Identify, promote, and attend water quality training programs by both the EH staff and the contractor communities. Provide homeowners with information about well deficiencies and how those impact water quality. This will help the homeowner make decisions about their well. Provide reasoning for regulations, water sampling, well sealing, well renovation/repair, etc. Advertise and encourage water sampling, well sealing, well rehab. Provide private water well data to community to support identification of conditions of risk or no-risk. Educate public on the importance of obtaining well services through a certified contractor. Partner with Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies to help address water quality needs of a special population. Work with Rural Utilities, Rural Water, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural development to address the needs of small communities that have water quality/supply issues Partner with Council of Government (COG), USDA Rural Development, DNR, and Midwest Assistance

6 Program (MAP) on sewer/water projects. Partner with Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), soil conservation, and/or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on watershed projects, highlight sewer/water issues. Partner with Public Health Nursing on water sampling for WIC, foster children, and housing issues. Partner with Public Health Nursing for use of tobacco funds. Don't forget to partner with your own county zoning official, assessor, engineer, etc. on issuance of permits, site selection, water supply policies, etc. Referral or collaboration with appropriate health-care providers.