Part 2 SOURCE WATER PROTECTION: Developing a Plan that Works for YOU Mark Stephens, P.G. PA DEP North Central Region Office Williamsport m.stephens@state.pa.us
SWP Quick Review What Is Source Water Protection? Taking proactive measures to prevent the pollution of lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater that serve as sources of drinking water. Wellhead Protection is another frequently used term for groundwater sources. mmmmmm mmmmmm
SWP Quick Review Why have Source Water Protection? The most cost-effective method to ensure safe drinking water is to protect the source from contamination. Treatment alone cannot always be successful in removing all contaminants. Improve public perception of the safety of drinking water. Because safe drinking water is essential to the public health and economic well-being of communities. Proactive way to deal with change
SWP Who Ultimately Protects the Source? THE COMMUNITY Reading Area Water Authority WREN Project
SWP Why Have a SWP Plan? SWPTAP = Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program, funded by the Dept of Environmental Protection Goal is to assist you in developing a plan that: Delineates the protection zones Points out possible contamination issues Provides an action roadmap of recommended local management practices Provides help with education and information for your community & customers Understandable and practical Basically.what works for your water system!
SWP Developing a Source Water Protection Plan 5 Step Process 4 5 1. Form a steering committee. 2. Delineate protection areas. 3. Identify & prioritize potential contaminant sources. 1 2 3 4. Choose management & protection strategies. 5. Plan for the future. Implement the Plan!
SWP STEP 1: Form Steering Committee Advisory group for water system makes suggestions for protection plan and offers different perspectives for improvements. Provides local knowledge and conveys source water protection information back to community/constituents. Long-term goal: keep committee together to assist with implementing the plan.
SWP Steering Committee Select a diverse group of people with different perspectives who have an interest in maintaining a healthy water supply: Planning Commission Conservation District Environmental Advisory Council Local Industry Watershed Associations Educators Farmers Municipal Officials Long time resident Faith-based leaders
SWP Example Steering Committee Ruralville s Steering Committee Members Water Department Retired Teacher Local Business Owner County & Municipal Planning Commission Sportsman Mayor Conservation District Farmer Fire Chief
SWP STOP and THINK. Who would be some key groups or stakeholders in your community that should be on your Steering Committee?
SWP STEP 2: Map/Delineate the Protection Areas Scientific/technical portion of plan Where does the water come from? Use computer model, field data, GIS Protection zone delineations for groundwater or surface water sources
Step 2 Map Source Water Protection Areas (Zones) Analytical SWP Zones delineated by a registered hydrogeologist based on empirical data Groundwater: Well Zone I, 100 400 feet Zone II, 10 year (TOT) Zone III, Watershed Surface Water: Stream, Reservoir Zone A, ¼ mile & 5 hour (TOT) Zone B, 2 mile & 25 (TOT) Zone C, Watershed
SWP Water Sources Groundwater Wells Zone I & II Wellhead Protection Areas Protection Zones Zone I (400 feet) Well #1 Zone II (10 year) 1 year Increments
SWP Groundwater Flow Time of Travel Each arrowhead = one year
SWP Groundwater Flow Time of Travel
SWP Source Water Protection Areas surface water Zone B Zone A Zone C
Protection Zones & Gas Wells Well 1 & Zone I Gas Wells Zone III Zone II Zone A (5 hr) Zone B (25 hr) Zone C
Zone A Zone B Zone III & C (watershed) Zone II Zone A Zone B Time of Travel Map Example Potential Sources of Contamination Map Example
SWP A 3-D Look at the Water Sources CITY OF ALLENTOWN
SWP STEP 3: Identify and Prioritize Potential Sources of Contamination Cleanup of a polluted water system can cost as much as 200 times that of prevention. PSOC = Pollution Risk Existing & new polluted sites Residential waste sites (dumps) Petroleum hydrocarbons from AST & UST Transportation corridors-accidents & runoff Commercial & residential sanitary waste Storm water runoff with herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, organic contaminants, soil runoff Residential, industrial, commercial discharges Gas wells drilling and development fluids
SWP STEP 3: Potential Sources of Contamination EXTRA CAUTION & ATTENTION FOR: Shallow Wells Sand & Gravel Aquifers Very Short Time of Travel Transportation Corridors near source or Intake
SWP Map & Groundtruth the PSOCs Point sources of possible pollution are identified in a preliminary database search, and mapped in Zones I, II, and III (or A, B, C) for the water system. PSOC = Potential Source of Contamination
SWP Point Sources Specific PSOCs are identified for the water system: Agricultural Operations Treatment Plants Auto Repair Shops Medical Facilities RCRA Locations Construction Companies NPDES Locations Golf Courses Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
SWP Potential Sources of Contamination (PSOC) Identification and prioritization DEP susceptibility analysis PSOCs are ranked by risk to the water supply A = Highest risk F = Lowest risk Focus on PSOCs ranked A and B Assists Steering Committee in setting priorities for source water protection efforts
SWP Polluted Runoff (Non-Point) Sources Agricultural areas Major roads, pipelines, rail systems Residential/Commercial possible stormwater runoff issues
SWP Step 3 - Finalized List of PSOCs Focus on the Top Risks - targeted list of pointand non-point sources in Zones I and II, or in Zone A and B. This makes the list more manageable for strategic planning. PSOC = Potential Source of Contamination
SWP Example of Ruralville s PSOCs Examples of PSOCs in Zones I and 2: Treatment Plants Construction Co. Farm Manufacturer School Commercial Facilities Auto repair shops
SWP STOP and THINK. What are the top potential risks to your water sources?
SWP STEP 4- Choose Management/Protection Strategies What management options are going to work best in YOUR community?
Risky Ramblings or Harmless Happenings? Strip Mine Forest Forest Forest Agriculture Town Agriculture Town Industry Forest Your Intake Your Town
STEP 4: Management & Protection Strategies Steering Committee chooses a management measure for each identified risk Regulatory Management Options Overlay Zoning, Ordinances, Special Use permits Require enforcement for compliance Non-Regulatory Management Options Coordination, Risk Assessment, Water Quality Monitoring, Land Acquisition or Easements, Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Public Education Voluntary efforts This creates the Source Water Protection Plan
SWP Management Measure Examples Regulatory Tools Overlay zoning Stormwater ordinance Septic system management ordinance Special use permitted within protection zones Drainage requirements Well construction standards Well abandonment procedures Non-Regulatory Tools Public education Contingency planning Hazardous waste collection events Consider purchase of land/easement in protection zones Update PSOCs and provide specific outreach/education Stormwater or Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
SWP Non-Regulatory: Notify people and businesses in the Protection Zones Don t assume that neighbors know they are close to the water source! Knowledge is Prevention! Notify these groups as soon as possible: Residents in Zones I and 2 of any groundwater well, or Zone A of a surface water source PSOC sites in Zones I and 2, or Zone A First Responders Planning Commission Conservation District Municipal governments Emergency Management Agency
SWP Non-Regulatory Measures: Land Purchase and Development Rights Limit new development in critical watersheds and recharge areas Land purchases Conservation easements Land trusts
SWP Non-Regulatory Measures: Stormwater Management Constructed wetlands Wissahickon Valley Grass swale, Tredyffrin Twp Grassed swale Riparian Buffers, Alexandria Twp. Slow runoff down, Spread it out Promote filtering or infiltration of storm water where possible Pervious Pavement, Penn State Berks Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Contour strip farming Rain Garden, Westmoreland County
SWP Non-Regulatory: Education and Outreach Partnerships are Important Local groups like schools, Environmental Advisory Councils or Watershed Associations can help with outreach. Government agencies like Conservation Districts or Sea Grant have technical assistance staff and programs available. Colleges and universities offer an opportunity to work with science and education departments and students. Public Education and Involvement Briefings to municipal officials, COGs Tours to students, municipal officials Household Hazardous Waste Collection Mailings, Newsletters, websites Community Activities Fairs, carnivals Earth Day Cleanup Events, Drug Collections
SWP Non-Regulatory: Watershed Awareness Signs Maiden Creek Watershed, Berks County Local signs funded by WREN grant; PennDOT signs funded by the Reading Area Water Authority
SWP Non-Regulatory: Community Education - Calendars & Brochures, websites, workshops Best Management Practices calendar Ex. at WREN website Shows local examples & best time of year to implement BMP
SWP Non-Regulatory: Homeowner Awareness Use newsletters or other mailings to educate homeowners on their impact to source water protection: Vehicle maintenance Lawn and garden chemical use Car washing Household hazardous waste Pet waste Litter or soil in stormdrains Pharmaceutical disposal
SWP Non-Regulatory: Municipality Partnerships, Train the Public Works staff Removing litter from stormdrains, Borough of Shillington Stenciled stormdrains in the City of Reading
SWP Regulatory Measures: Overlay Zoning Does not disrupt existing zoning Provides additional protection standards Overlay is a specific mapped area that places specific use restrictions (ex no gas station, dry cleaner, or landfill) or adds development provisions without changing the current zoning.
SWP Regulatory: Land Use Prohibitions Effective way to remove threats from sensitive areas Ex: Gas stations, landfills, CAFO, metal plating Example: Borough of Kutztown New development must meet established standards that protect the water supply New activities must be reviewed against list of Regulated Land Uses Uses such has heavy industry, service stations, and large livestock operations are prohibited in Zone II; other uses must obtain Special Permit
SWP Regulatory Measures: Ordinances Wellhead Protection Borough of Lyons Regulated Land Use Subdiv & Land Devel / Stormwater management Township of Radnor Stormwater Management Septic system management Maxatawny & Franconia Twps. Management of On-lot Septics Geothermal heating systems Shrewsbury Borough Installation and Use of Geothermal Heating Systems Riparian buffer areas College Township Riparian Buffer Overlay Zoning Oil & gas drilling Get good legal advice - Borough of Oakmont ordinance was upheld by PA Supreme Court
SWP STOP and THINK. Which Regulatory and Non-Regulatory management strategies could be implemented in your community?
SWP STEP 5: Plan for the Future Emergency Plan Review Review of Land Uses New Sources of Water
SWP STEP 5: Contingency Planning/Planning for Future What if. Has the water system developed response scenarios to potential threats to intakes or wells? Have short- and longterm water supply options been identified in case of contamination? Where are new wellfields?
SWP Step 5 - Contingency Planning - New Sources The Steering Committee must plan for possible new sources of water in case of long-term issues with the current wells or surface sources.
SWP New Sources - Review of Land Uses Does the town s current Land Use make sense to protect the water supply for next 10 years? If not, there is work to do!
SWP Putting the SWP Plan into Action Action - The Most Important Step!
Putting the SWP Plan Into Action After draft plan comments by the Steering Committee and DEP, the final plan will be compiled and printed. The DEP will then review & provide formal approval of final Source Water Protection Plan. Water supplier and partners take action to implement the management strategies selected by the Committee Annual activity updates reported to DEP. An ongoing commitment that requires cooperation among all partners
SWP Summary - Steps to a Source Water Protection Plan 5 Step Process 1. Form a steering committee. 2. Delineate protection areas. 4 5 3. Identify & prioritize potential contaminant sources. 3 2 1 Implement the Plan! 4. Choose management & protection strategies. 5. Plan for the future. Source water protection is a continuing commitment to protect community health and wealth
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