SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT SUMMARY BROCHURE CITY OF ROGUE PWS # 4100712 WHAT IS A SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT? The Source Water Assessment was recently completed by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) to identify the surface areas (and/or subsurface areas) that supply water to City of Rogue River s public water system intake and to inventory the potential contaminant sources that may impact the water supply. WHY WAS IT COMPLETED? The Source Water Assessment was completed to provide information so that Rogue River s public water system staff/operator, consumers, and community citizens can begin developing strategies to protect the source of their drinking water, and to minimize future public expenditures for drinking water treatment. The assessment was prepared under the requirements and guidelines of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). WHAT AREAS ARE INCLUDED IN ROGUE S DRINKING WATER PROTECTION AREA? The drinking water for the City of Rogue River is supplied by an intake on the Rogue River. This public water system serves approximately 2,000 citizens. The intake is located in the Rogue River/Savage Creek/Evans Creek Watershed in the Middle Rogue Subbasin of the Southern Oregon Coastal Basin. In addition, Rogue River uses groundwater wells for drinking water supply. The Source Water Assessment addresses only the surface water component of Rogue River s drinking water supply. The groundwater supply will be addressed separately. The drinking water intakes for the City of Gold Hill, Medford Water Commission, Country View Mobile Home Estates, and Ashland Water Department public water systems are also located on the Rogue River (or its tributaries) upstream of the City of Rogue River intake. The boundaries of Rogue River s portion of the Drinking Water Protection Area (the area between Rogue River s intake and Gold Hill s intake) and a schematic of the portions of the protection area upstream of the Gold Hill intake are illustrated on the figures attached to this summary. In addition, the City of Grants Pass has a drinking water intake on the Rogue River downstream of City of Rogue River s intake. Activities and impacts in the Rogue River drinking water protection area have the potential to also impact downstream users. We encourage other water providers in the Subbasin to work together as you move forward with developing a protection plan or strategies for your drinking water supply. The geographic area providing water to Rogue River s intake (Rogue River s portion of the drinking water protection area) extends upstream approximately 119 miles (2,492 stream miles including the area upstream of the Gold Hill intake) and encompasses a total area of 107 square miles (total of 2,187 square miles including the area upstream of the Gold Hill intake). Included in the Rogue River portion of the delineation are a number of tributaries to the Rogue River, including Ward, Foots, Galls, Sardine, and Kane Creeks. The protection area within an 8-hour travel time from the intake extends approximately 16 miles upstream of the Rogue River intake. It is recommended that the water systems and community consider increased protection within an 8-hour travel time from the intake since eight hours should provide adequate response time to protect the integrity of the public water system intake should a spill or release occur at any crossing or discharge point to the stream. The Rogue River intake is located at an approximate elevation of 1,000 feet and the upper edge of the watershed is located at an elevation of approximately 4,494 feet at Mt. Isabelle.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION TO ROGUE S PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY? The primary intent of this inventory was to identify and locate significant potential sources of contaminants of concern. The delineated drinking water protection area is primarily dominated by residential and agricultural land uses. The potential contaminant sources identified in the Rogue River s portion of the protection area include four transportation corridors, sewer lines, high density housing, rural homesteads, grazing animals, non-irrigated crops, irrigated crops, forest harvest units, two automobile repair shops, a shopping mall, a wood products mill, wastewater treatment plant, two water treatment plant, gravel pit, fire station, two metal fabrication companies, and one state park. The potential contaminant sources within the drinking water protection area all pose a relatively higher to moderate risk to the drinking water supply with the exception of non-irrigated crops, storage units and the fire station, which presents a lower risk. This provides a quick look at the existing potential sources of contamination that could, if improperly managed or released, impact the water quality in the watershed. WHAT ARE THE RISKS FOR OUR SYSTEM? A total of 30 potential contamination sources were identified within the Rogue River portion of the drinking water protection area. An additional 254 potential sources were identified upstream of the Gold Hill intake. Of the 30 potential sources identified in Rogue River s portion of the protection area, 28 are located in the sensitive areas and 25 are high- to moderaterisk sources within sensitive areas. The sensitive areas within the City of Rogue River drinking water protection area include areas with high soil permeability, high soil erosion potential, high runoff potential and areas within 1000 from the river/streams. The sensitive areas are those where the potential contamination sources, if present, have a greater potential to impact the water supply. The information in this assessment provides a basis for prioritizing areas in and around our community that are most vulnerable to potential impacts and can be used by the City of Rogue River community to develop a voluntary Drinking Water Protection Plan. NEED MORE INFORMATION? City of Rogue River s Source Water Assessment Report provides additional details on the methodology and results of this assessment. The full report is available for review at: Contact the City of Rogue River s staff if you would like additional information on these Source Water Assessment results.
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 1 Transportation - Interstate 5 Runs along the Rogue River Rogue River Field- Within Higher Vehicle use increases the risk for leaks or spills Freeways/State Observation sensitive area. of fuel & other haz. materials. Road building, Highways/Other maintenance & use can increase erosion/slope Heavy Use Roads failure causing turbidity. Over-application or improper handling of pesticides/fertilizers may impact water. 2 Transportation - Highway 99 (Rogue Runs along I-5 and Rogue Rogue River Field- Within Higher Vehicle use increases the risk for leaks or spills Freeways/State River Hwy) River Observation sensitive area. of fuel & other haz. materials. Road building, Highways/Other maintenance & use can increase erosion/slope Heavy Use Roads failure causing turbidity. Over-application or improper handling of pesticides/fertilizers may impact water. 3 Transportation - Central Oregon Runs along I-5 and Rogue Rogue River Field- Within Higher Rail transport elevates the risk for leaks/spills of Railroads Pacific Railroad River Observation sensitive area. fuel & other haz. materials. Installation/maintenance of tracks may increase erosion & slope failure causing turbidity. Overapplication/improper handling of pesticides may impact the water supply. 4 Sewer Lines - Close Sewer Lines Within Rogue River/Gold Hill Rogue River Interview Within Moderate If not properly designed, installed, and Proximity to PWS sensitive area. maintained, sewer lines can impact drinking water, especially adjacent to a waterbody or within the 2-year time-of-travel zone for drinking water wells. 5 Housing - High High Density Within Rogue River/Gold Hill Rogue River Field- Within Moderate Improper use, storage, and disposal of Density (> 1 Housing Observation sensitive area. household chemicals may impact the drinking House/0.5 acres) water supply. Stormwater run-off or infiltration may carry contaminants to drinking water supply. 5/21/2003 Page 1 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 6 Furniture/Lumber/Part Ace Hardware Off Broadway Street Rogue River Database (2) Within Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of hazardous s Stores Field- sensitive area. chemical products and other materials in Observation inventory during transportation, use, storage and As known as Main Building Supply. disposal may impact the drinking water supply. UST - Status Unknown Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of stored materials may impact the drinking water supply. As known as Main Building Supply. 7 Automobiles - Repair Bills Auto & Exhaust Off Park Street Rogue River Database (2) Within Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of automotive Shops Field- sensitive area. fluids, solvents, and repair materials during Observation transportation, use, storage and disposal may impact the drinking water supply. 8 Automobiles - Body Kens Auto Body & Off Gilmore Street Rogue River Database (2) Within Moderate Improper management of vehicle paints, Shops Paint Field- sensitive area. thinners, and primer products may impact the Observation drinking water supply. 9 Drinking Water Rogue River Water Off Classick Drive Rogue River Database (2) Within Moderate Treatment chemicals and equipment Treatment Plants Treatment Plant Field- sensitive area. maintenance materials may impact groundwater Observation or surface water source. Interview 10 Parking Lots/Malls (> Rogue River Center Northeast of intake Rogue River Field- Within Moderate Spills and leaks of automotive fluids in parking Risk reduced to Moderate because 50 Spaces) Observation sensitive area. lots may impact the drinking water supply. shopping mall is fairly small in size. 5/21/2003 Page 2 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 11 Wood/Pulp/Paper Louisana Pacific Mill East of intake Rogue River Database (2) Within Higher Spills, leaks, or improper handling of wood Processing and Mills Field- sensitive area. preservatives and other chemicals during Observation transportation, use, storage and disposal may impact the drinking water supply. Above Ground Storage Tanks - Excluding Water Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of stored materials may impact the drinking water supply. 12 Fire Station Rogue River Fire East of intake Rogue River Field- Within Lower Spills, leaks, or improper handling of chemicals Station Observation sensitive area. and other materials during transportation, use, storage and disposal may impact the drinking water supply. 13 Metal Trask Industries East of intake Rogue River Field- Outside Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of solvents, Risk reduced to Moderate because Plating/Finishing/Fab Observation sensitive metals, and other chemicals during complex is a small light industry rication areas. for transportation, use, storage and disposal may facility. ROGUE impact the drinking water supply. 14 RV/Mini Storage Rogue River Storage East of intake Rogue River Field- Outside Lower Spills, leaks, or improper handling of automotive Observation sensitive fluids and other materials during transportation, areas. for storage and disposal may impact the drinking ROGUE water supply. 15 Homesteads - Rural - Rural Homesteads Throughout DWPA Rogue River Field- Within Lower If not properly sited, designed, installed, and Septic Systems (< Observation sensitive area. maintained, septic systems can impact drinking 1/acre) water. Use of drain cleaners and dumping household hazardous wastes can result in groundwater contamination. 5/21/2003 Page 3 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 16 Managed Forest Land Managed Wards Creek Drainage Rogue River Field- Within Higher Cutting and yarding of trees may contribute to - Clearcut Harvest (< Forestlands- Observation sensitive area. increased erosion, resulting in turbidity and 35 yrs.) Harvest Units chemical changes in drinking water supply. Exact location of units was not Over-application or improper handling of determined. Contact indicated some harvesting in Wards Creek. Will pesticides or fertilizers may impact drinking need to be verified. water source. Potential risk should be verified during enhanced inventory. 17 Transmission Lines - Transmission Lines Throughout DWPA Rogue River Field- Within Higher Construction and corridor maintenance may Right-of-Ways Observation sensitive area. contribute to increased erosion and turbidity in drinking water supply. Over-application or improper handling of pesticides or fertilizers may impact drinking water supply. 18 Crops - Irrigated (inc. Irrigated Crops Throughout DWPA Rogue River Field- Within Higher Over-application or improper handling of orchards, vineyards, Observation sensitive area. pesticides/fertilizers may impact drinking water. nurseries, Excessive irrigation may transport contaminants greenhouses) or sediments to groundwater/surface water through runoff. Drip-irrigated crops are considered to be a low risk. 19 Crops - Nonirrigated Non-Irrigated Throughout DWPA Rogue River Field- Within Lower Over-application or improper handling of (inc. Christmas trees, Crops Observation sensitive area. pesticides/fertilizers may impact drinking water. grains, grass seed, Some agricultural practices may result in pasture) excess sediments discharging to surface waters, but non-irrigated crops are generally considered to be a low risk. 5/21/2003 Page 4 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 20 Lagoons/Liquid Valley of the Rogue Southeast of intake. Rogue River Database (2) Within Higher Improper seepage or overflows of liquid wastes Wastes State Park Field- sensitive area. may impact the drinking water supply. Observation Large park that is situated right Interview along banks of the Rogue River approximately 2 miles upstream from intake. High level of recreation at this park. River Recreation - Heavy Use (inc. campgrounds) Moderate Inadequate disposal of human wastes may contribute bacteria and nutrients to the drinking water supply. Heavy use may contribute to Large park that is situated right along banks of the Rogue River streambank erosion causing turbidity. Fuel approximately 2 miles upstream spills and emissions may also contribute to from intake. High level of recreation contamination. at this park. Large Capacity Septic Moderate If not properly sited, designed, installed, and Systems (serves > 20 maintained, septic systems can impact drinking people) - Class V water. Large park that is situated right UICs along banks of the Rogue River approximately 2 miles upstream from intake. High level of recreation at this park. Parks Moderate Over-application or improper handling of pesticides/fertilizers may impact drinking water. Excessive irrigation may cause transport of Large park that is situated right along banks of the Rogue River contaminants through runoff. Heavy use along approximately 2 miles upstream edge of waterbody may contribute to erosion, from intake. High level of recreation causing turbidity. at this park. 21 Grazing Animals (> 5 Grazing Animals Throughout DWPA Rogue River Field- Within Higher Improper storage and management of animal large animals or Observation sensitive area. wastes may impact drinking water supply. equivalent/acre) Concentrated livestock may contribute to erosion and sedimentation of surface water bodies. 5/21/2003 Page 5 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 22 Other _Irrigation Irrigation Canal Northeast/Southeast of intake Rogue River Field- Within Higher The impacts of this potential contaminant source Canal Observation sensitive area. will be addressed during the enhanced inventory. Gold Hill Irrigation Canal and Grants Pass Irrigation Canal both found within DWPA. Unsure exact location of outfalls for canals. Potential risk should be verified during enhanced inventory. 23 Utility Stations - Substation Directly across from intake Rogue River Field- Within Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of chemicals Risk reduced to Moderate because Maintenance Observation sensitive area. and other materials including PCBs during substation is very small. Transformer Storage transportation, use, storage and disposal may impact the drinking water supply. Unknown if any other substations are within DWPA. 24 Mines/Gravel Pits Advanced East of intake. Off Hwy 99 Gold Hill Field- Within Higher Spills, leaks, or improper handling of chemicals Aggregate Inc. Observation sensitive area. and wastes generated in mining operations or from heavy equipment may impact the drinking water supply. 25 Crops - Irrigated (inc. Del Rio Vineyard East of intake. Along Hwy 99 Gold Hill Database (2) Within Higher Over-application or improper handling of orchards, vineyards, Field- sensitive area. pesticides/fertilizers may impact drinking water. nurseries, Observation Excessive irrigation may transport contaminants greenhouses) or sediments to groundwater/surface water through runoff. Drip-irrigated crops are considered to be a low risk. 5/21/2003 Page 6 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 26 UST - Status Gold Hill East of intake. Off Sardine Gold Hill Database (2) Within Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of stored Unknown Wastewater Road. Field- sensitive area. materials may impact the drinking water supply. Treatment Plant Observation Wastewater Treatment Higher Improper management of wastewater, treatment Plants/Collection chemicals, or equipment maintenance materials Stations may impact drinking water supply. 27 Metal Sweed Machinery East of intake. Off 2nd Ave Gold Hill Database (2) Within Higher Spills, leaks, or improper handling of solvents, Plating/Finishing/Fab Field- sensitive area. metals, and other chemicals during rication Observation transportation, use, storage and disposal may impact the drinking water supply. 28 Metal Ideal Basic Industries East of intake. Off 4th Ave Gold Hill Database (2) Within Higher Spills, leaks, or improper handling of solvents, Plating/Finishing/Fab sensitive area. metals, and other chemicals during rication transportation, use, storage and disposal may PCS location based on regulatory impact the drinking water supply. database search - needs verification. Potential risk should be verified during enhanced inventory. 5/21/2003 Page 7 of 8
PWS# 4100712 ROGUE, CITY OF 29 Automobiles - Gas Gold Hill Texaco East of intake Gold Hill Database (2) Within Moderate Spills, leaks, or improper handling of fuels and Stations Field- sensitive area. other materials during transportation, transfer, Observation and storage may impact the drinking water There are several gas stations that supply. are near the intake but are just outside the DWPA. These gas stations may also be potential contaminant sources. UST - Lower Spills or improper handling during tank filling or Upgraded/Registered product distribution may impact the drinking - Active water supply. There are several gas stations that are near the intake but are just outside the DWPA. These gas stations may also be potential contaminant sources. 30 Drinking Water Gold Hill Water East of intake. Off Hwy 234 Gold Hill Database (2) Within Moderate Treatment chemicals and equipment Treatment Plants Treatment Plant Field- sensitive area. maintenance materials may impact groundwater Observation or surface water source. Treatment plant may be located just outside of drinking water protection area. Location needs verified. 5/21/2003 Page 8 of 8