Source Water Protection Best Management Practices and Other Supplies
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Source Water Protection Best Management Practices and Other Supplies
Source Water Protection Best Management Practices and Other Measures for Protecting Drinking Water Supplies Introductions and Background • Introductions • California SWAP results • Source Water Protection Strategy for California SWAP Assessments Progress as of 7/30/2003 # PWS # GW Sources # SW Sources Community 2,974 8,911 774 Non-Transient 1,447 1,861 96 Transient 3,029 3,435 247 Total 7,450 14,207 1,117 Total sources: 15,300 (94% complete) Assessments Performed by: 42% DHS 38% Counties 20% PWS Assessment Findings “Most Prevalent” PCAs* GW (14,200 Sources) SW (1,100 Sources) Roads & Streets 71% Surface Water Bodies 82% Septic Systems 53% Roads & Streets 69% Water Supply Wells 60% Septic Systems 60% High Density Housing 42% Campgrounds/Rec Areas 50% Surface Water Bodies 38% Water Supply Wells 50% Sewer Collection Systems 38% DW Treatment Plants 47% Freeways/State Highways 33% Surface Water Recreation 47% Above Ground Tanks 27% Freeways/State Highways 47% Fertilizer/Pesticide Appl. 26% Above Ground Tanks 38% Schools 26% Sewer Collection Systems 38% * Possible Contaminating Activities occurring most frequently in any zone Assessment Findings “Most Threatening” PCAs* GW SW Septic Systems 44% Surface Water Recreation 31% Sewer Collection Systems 35% Septic Systems 28% Auto Repair Shops 12% Managed Forests 14% Ag/Irrigation Wells 11% Sewer Collection Systems 12% Gas Stations 10% Ag Drainage 11% Known Contaminant Plumes 9% Grazing 8% Ag Drainage 8% Recent Burn Areas 7% Leaking Underground Tanks 8% Historic Mining Operations 6% Machine Shops 7% NPDES Permitted Discharges 6% Historic Gas Stations 7% WW Treatment & Disposal 5% Zone A = 600’ Min. Radius Zone A = w/in 400’ of SW body or w/in 2,500’ of intake * Very High and High Risk PCAs occurring in Zone A Challenges • • • • Not enough staff Not enough time or resources Springs & GWUDI sources difficult Other agency data not accessible Continuing Concerns • • • • • Finishing assessments Updating assessments New sources Inconsistency/Inaccuracy Collecting source water protection data Rewards • • • • Innovative Software “TurboSWAP” GIS Mapping Tool Improved SDWIS Inventory Participation by PWS Next Steps • • • • • Share results with other agencies Coordinate Data w/ other agencies Encourage PWS to apply for SRF SWP loans and Prop 50 grants Encourage PWS to undertake SWP Work with CRWA Drinking Water Academy Objectives • “Train-the-Messenger” • Define source water and explain its importance • Describe the benefits of source water protection • Describe potential threats to source water • Discuss SDWA’s major source water protection programs • Define source water protection measures Objectives • Discuss types of prevention measures • Describe measures for specific sources • Discuss what individuals and organizations can do to foster source water protection California Drinking Water Sources Approximately half the drinking water in the state comes from groundwater and half from surface water 7,500 public water systems 3,000 community 1,500 nontransient noncommunity 3,000 transient noncommunity 16,000 water sources 15,000 ground water sources 1,000 surface water sources Ground Water Significance Most CWSs Use Ground Water 100 92 80 60 40 20 8 0 % of CWS Sources Ground Water Sources Surface Water Sources Introduction to Source Water Protection What Is Source Water Protection? Taking proactive measures to prevent the pollution of lakes, rivers, streams and ground water that serve as sources of drinking water. Wellhead Protection is another frequently used term that applies to Source Water Protection for ground water sources. Why do Source Water Protection? • Because the most cost effective method to ensure the safety of the drinking water supply is to protect the source from contamination. • Because it is part of a “multi-barrier” approach to providing safe drinking water; Treatment alone cannot always be successful in removing contaminants. • To 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. Comparing Costs and Benefits • Responding to contamination can be as much as 200 times as costly as prevention SWP Is Worth It How Do Contaminants Enter Source Water? What Health Effects Can Contaminated Source Water Cause? • Acute health effects – Immediate or short term effects – Especially critical to at-risk populations • Chronic health effects – Long term effects (cancer, liver, blood, etc.) from repeated exposure over a life time What Contaminants Cause Acute Health Effects? • Viruses (e.g., Norwalk virus) • Parasites, protozoa or cysts • Nitrate • Bacteria (e.g., Shigella, E.Coli) Parasite Giardia lamblia Parasite Cryptosporidium Warning Sign About Dangers of Nitrate What Contaminants Cause Chronic Health Effects? • Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) • Inorganic chemicals (IOCs) • Synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) Source Water Assessment Program What is a Source Water Assessment? Delineation An evaluation, using a specified set of procedures, to determine the human activities that are possible sources of contamination to which a drinking water source is most vulnerable. Inventory of Possible Contaminating Activities Vulnerability Analysis Public distribution of findings Source Water Assessments as the Basis of Protection • Assessments provide the baseline information to begin protection • Assessments may be used to prioritize protection activities Minimum Elements of a California Assessment 1. Location of the source 2. Delineation of source area and/or protection zones 3. Evaluation of Physical Barrier Effectiveness 4. Inventory of Possible Contaminating Activities 5. Analysis of Vulnerability 6. Summary of Assessment 7. Assessment Map 8. Notification of the Public SDWA’s Major Source Water Protection Programs Historical Basis Early State Approach • Multiple barrier approach used by States since early 1900s included source selection and protection • Sanitary surveys to check system from source to tap SDWA Source Water Protection Programs • 1974 SDWA – Sole Source Aquifer program – Underground Injection Control program • 1986 SDWA Amendments – Wellhead Protection program • 1996 SDWA Amendments – Source Water Protection loan program – Source Water Assessment program What Is the Sole Source Aquifer Program? • A sole source aquifer: – Supplies at least 50% of drinking water – Is the only feasible drinking water source that exists • Any person may petition EPA • 70 designated sole source aquifers Significance of the Sole Source Aquifer Program • EPA reviews Federally-funded projects • Information from SSA designation can help delineate SWPAs • SSAs can raise community awareness • SWAPs can help evaluate candidate SSAs Underground Source of Drinking Water <10,000 TDS Brine - Salt Water (>10,000 TDS) USDW WATER TABLE BRINE AQUIFER DRY What is the UIC Program and Why is it Significant? Class III Uranium Solution Mining Class II EOR Well Class V Agricultural Well Class I Industrial Well Water Table USDWs Mineralized Ore Body Exempt Aquifer Base of the Lowermost USDW Source: GWPC Oil Reservoir Shari Ring: What Is Wellhead Protection? Image from EPA WWW • Protection of ground water sources • Authorized by SDWA Section 1428 of the 1986 Amendments • EPA-approved, State-designed wellhead protection plans can receive Federal funding to protect ground water sources • Requirements for Federal compliance Other Source Water Protection Programs and Initiatives Source Water Protection Initiatives • Source Water Contamination Prevention Strategy • National Rural Water Association • Environmental Finance Center Network Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act CWA SDWA Wastewater Treatment Plants Water Systems Ground Water Ground Water Used as Drinking Water Surface Water Used as Drinking Water Surface Water Used for Industrial Uses, Recreation, Wildlife Habitat, and Fishing Wastewater Discharges Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act Watershed Protection Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act • “Point” sources or “nonpoint” sources • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) • Water quality standards • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Other Federal Source Protection Programs Other Federal Source Protection Programs • See http://www.epa.gov/ safewater/ protect/feddata.html for a list of Federal data sources related to source water protection California Programs that Assist Source Water Protection • • • • • • • AB 3030 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA) Department of Pesticide Regulation Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans California Rural Water Association and more… AB 3030 Groundwater Management Plans • Legislation passed in 1992 allows existing local agencies to develop groundwater management plans • Allows agencies to collect revenues to implement plans • ~ 160 agencies have developed plans • Components may include: – – – – – Identification of Wellhead Protection Areas GW replenishment Well destruction Overdraft mitigation Review of land use Groundwater Management in California TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load • Required by Federal Clean Water Act; implemented by Regional Boards • Written plan for impaired water body to describe how water quality standards will be met • Must address all pollution sources within a watershed, both point and nonpoint • Each impaired water body can have multiple TMDLs – TMDL for multiple contaminants – TMDL for individual contaminants – TMDL for multiple water bodies TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load • >600 impaired water bodies in CA (303d list) – Do not meet water quality standards, even after point sources of pollution have installed the minimum required levels of pollution control technology • 120 TMDL plans currently underway by Regional Boards • 13 year plan to complete all TMDLs CUPA - Certified Unified Program Agencies • Unified Program under CalEPA established by legislation (1993) • Coordinates 6 programs into a single point of contact for businesses – Hazardous Waste Generators and On-site Hazardous Waste Treatment – Underground Storage Tanks – Hazardous Material Release Response Plans and Inventories – CA Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) – Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tanks – Uniform Fire Code Hazardous Material Management Plan and Inventories • Local Agency (CUPA) – Permits, inspections, enforcement, fee collection – 43 counties, 23 cities, 3 Joint Powers Dept. of Pesticide Regulation Ground Water Protection Program DPR currently defines “Pesticide Management Zones” – 1mi2 areas where use of pesticides is restricted Proposed regulations: • “Ground Water Protection Areas” to replace PMZs – Types of GWPAs: • Leaching • Runoff • Leaching and Runoff – Restricts use of pesticides – Determined by soil types and depth to GW – “Wellhead Protection Area” = no pesticide use or storage within 100’ of any well DPR Ground Water Protection Program Source: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/gwp_prog/gwp_prog.htm Storm Water Pollution Prevention Programs • Required under Federal NPDES program • Phase I – Plans being implemented – Municipalities > 100,000 population, large construction sites, and certain industries • Phase II – Permits due by 12/2002, implementation within 5 years – Smaller municipalities, smaller construction sites, and more industries • CalTrans has an extensive program and public information materials California Rural Water Association • CRWA has had a staff person (Sue Murphy) working with many small water systems on source water assessments and protection – [email protected] • CRWA now has a staff person (Belinda Green) working with regional areas on source water protection Who Ultimately Protects the Source? Developing a Source Water Protection Plan SWP Procedures • Establish a local committee • Review the initial source water assessment and update or expand as necessary • Prepare reports and maps • Develop protection plan • Submit plan for review to local and state agencies • Implement management measures • Conduct contingency planning Establish a Local Committee Starting organization: • Water system (municipality, water district, utility company, or regional agency) • Community served by water system Local Committee • For best chance of success, include other stakeholders to balance interests, solicit a variety of opinions, and to obtain greater “buy-in” – Consumers and their advocates • Drinking water customers • Representatives for at-risk populations – Environmental groups – Business owners/operators of PCAs – Government officials with land use planning authority – Regulators of PCAs Review the Assessment • Initial assessment may have been done by – DHS – LPA county – Water System – Consultant – Regional agency – Other entity (CRWA) Review the Assessment • Verify accuracy of information • Identify PCAs of primary concern • Gather more information – Hydrogeology or surface water hydrology – Locations, density, and compliance of PCAs of primary concern Develop a Protection Plan • Identify measures currently in place that protect water supplies • Identify possible new source water protection measures • Identify resources and new regulations (if any) necessary to implement the measures • Develop a time line for implementing measures • Draft a report for review by local committee • Solicit comments and revise plan as necessary Measures Currently in Place • Many current activities provide or support protection of water supplies – Control of well sites and intakes – Water quality monitoring – Compliance with and enforcement of existing regulations – Sewer system programs • Industrial waste discharges – Waste management • Used oil collection • Household hazardous waste collection – Land use planning Introduction to Source Water Contamination Protection Measures What are Source Water Protection Measures? • Practices to prevent contamination of ground water and surface water that are used or potentially used as sources of drinking water • Protection measures form the first barrier to drinking water protection How Can Protection Measures Fit into a SWPP? • Impose by regulation • Encourage through non-regulatory means • Combine approaches as appropriate given site-specific considerations What are BMPs? Best Management Practices Detention pond • BMPs are standard operating procedures that can reduce the threats that activities at homes, businesses, agriculture, and industry can pose to water supplies • BMPs can increase the aesthetic beauty and value of residential and commercial properties Selecting Management Measures for the SWP Plan • After considering possible measures, identify those that: – Address the primary contaminants and/or PCAs of concern – Can be readily implemented with the resources available • Identify short-term and long-term actions • Incorporate into Plan Selecting Management Measures • Non-Regulatory – – – – – – Good housekeeping practices Public education Land management Land purchase and development rights Man-made systems and devices Emergency response planning • Regulatory – Land use controls – Regulations and permits Non-Regulatory Methods for Source Water Protection • Without adopting any new ordinances or regulations, communities can be successful in protecting water supplies Good Housekeeping Practices • At the water supply – This is the one area the water system should have complete control over – Prevent unauthorized access to the site – Keep the site clear of contaminants – Eliminate pathways of contamination • Abandoned wells • Storm drain discharges Good Housekeeping Practices • At PCAs: – Equipment operation and maintenance – Product storage, use and handling – Waste storage and disposal • May be required by local ordinances or health regulations Equipment Operation and Maintenance Product Storage, Use and Handling Proper Waste Storage and Disposal Photos: Texas Chapter, APWA Public Education Public Education • School children – Teach good environmental habits – Use presentations, experiments, and festivals • Business owners – Proper material handling and spill response procedures – Ways to reduce use of contaminants – Use flyers and targeted mailings • Public – Storm drain messages, posters – Consumer Confidence Reports Land Management Work with landowners Contour strip farming Land Management • Responsible Management: – Environmentally sensitive landscaping – Proper lawn maintenance – Agricultural: • • • • • • Conservation tillage Crop rotation Contour strip farming Animal grazing management Integrated pest management Some financial incentives from USDA Land Purchase and Development Rights • Limiting new development in watersheds and recharge areas – Land purchases – Conservation easements – Land trusts and conservancies Man-made Systems or Devices • At Business PCAs: – Automatic shut-off and leak detection devices on USTs – Secondary containment – Segregated floor drains – Drainage diversion – Waste collection devices Man-made Systems or Devices • Within Protection Areas: – Relocate storm drain discharge points – Prioritize repair or replacement of failing septic systems and leaking sewer lines in Zone A – Identification and destruction of improperly abandoned wells Abandoned or Improperly Destroyed Wells Photo: Purdue Extension Service • Locations often unknown • Common nearby activities may degrade water quality • Runoff also poses threats Abandoned Wells • Plug abandoned wells • Use licensed well drillers • Get a permit Graphic: North Dakota State Univ. Vegetative Measures •Reduces the speed of runoff •Promotes filtering or infiltration of storm water –Constructed wetlands –Vegetated buffer strips Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Swales –Grassed swales Emergency Response Planning What if..? Emergency Response Planning • Identify potential threats to water supply and formulate response scenarios • At PCAs – Spill response plans – Surface spill reporting forms – Fire-fighting plans – Names and phone numbers of emergency response contacts (including water system) Emergency Response Planning • Identify potential threats to water supply and formulate response scenarios • At the water system: – Information about the water system – Potential contamination sources and their locations – Needed equipment and supplies – Names and phone numbers of emergency response contacts – Short- and long-term water supply options Regulatory Methods for Source Water Protection • When non-regulatory methods don’t work • When the contamination threat is particularly significant • When state or regional regulations aren’t strong enough for local issues Land Use Controls • To control or move land uses that pose risks to source water – Subdivision growth controls – Zoning – Land use prohibitions Subdivision Growth Controls • Primary purpose is to control division of land into lots suitable for building • Can protect drinking water supplies from – Septic system effluent – Storm water runoff Zoning • Add an additional “Wellhead Protection Zone”; doesn’t change underlying zoning • Generally not successful in addressing existing land uses • Some communities offer “bonuses” for property owners to convert to lower risk land uses Land Use Prohibitions Land Use Prohibitions • Effective way to remove threats from sensitive areas • Source-specific and chemical-specific standards • Example: – Don’t allow certain PCAs in zones, or allow only with mitigation measures to prevent and detect release and/or migration of contaminants Regulations and Permits • • • • Construction and operating standards Permit requirements Land use prohibitions Public health regulations Many of these regulations are already in place; check to see that the latest and most vigorous are adopted locally, or at least within zones Construction and Operating Standards Permit Requirements • Local authorities can require permits • Permit fees can help recover program costs • Permits can be site-specific • Inspections enforce permit requirements • California CUPA program is an example Public Health Regulations • Underground storage tanks – Construction standards – Leak testing • Floor drains • Septic systems – Number and size in a given area – Siting, setback distances and construction – Maintenance standards Septic system regulations vary widely between counties and RWQCB regions; as a result of AB 885, efforts are underway to develop statewide minimum standards Source Water Protection Measures for Specific Sources Storm Water Runoff Erosion from runoff Storm Water Runoff • Nonstructural measures to control runoff – Good housekeeping – Public education – Roadway maintenance – Erosion and sedimentation control measures Sewer stenciling Storm Water Runoff • Engineered devices to control runoff – – – – – – – Grassed swales Buffer strips Filter strips Wet ponds Constructed wetlands Infiltration practices BMPs for Class V wells Porous design minimizes impervious area Storm Water Runoff Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Grassed swale Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Filter strip Storm Water Runoff Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Wet Ponds and Constructed Wetlands Storm Water Runoff Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Infiltration Practices Storm Water Runoff • Storm water drainage wells (Class V) • Protection measures for Class V wells – Siting – Design – Operation Storm drain Storm Water Runoff • Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) – Regulated under the NPDES Program – Over 5,000 nationwide Septic Systems Ground water Septic Systems Septic system drain field Septic Systems Above and Underground Storage Tanks Corroded underground storage tank Above Ground Storage Tanks Sheltered above ground tank farm • Corrosion protection • Secondary containment • Monitoring • Periodic cleanup • Evaporation protection • Proper closure Underground Storage Tanks • • • • • • Backfilling an UST installation in a lined pit Proper installation Corrosion protection Spill prevention Overfill protection Leak detection Proper closure Vehicle Washing Facilities • Minimize runoff • Enclose wash areas and locate them on impervious surfaces • Use alternative cleaning agents Vehicle Washing Facilities Car wash with vegetated area Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal Water-based paint Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal • Conduct a chemical audit • Implement a chemical management plan • Store chemicals properly • Do not empty in sinks or drains Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal • Have a spill response plan • Do not mix hazardous and nonhazardous waste Animal Waste • Livestock • Pets • Wildlife Animal Waste • Feedlot management – – – – Hog parlor with lagoon Waste lagoons Litter storage facilities Clean water diversion Composting Animal Waste • Land application of manure – Nutrient management – Proper placement – Crop rotation • Pasture or grazing management Livestock fencing – Fencing Animal Waste Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) Animal Waste • Managing pet waste – Clean up waste – Bury waste – Keep pets away from streams and lakes Animal Waste • Wildlife waste – Harassment programs – Reducing attractiveness of water supply areas Snow geese Agricultural Fertilizer Application • Time nitrogen fertilizer applications for maximum uptake • To minimize phosphorus runoff, control erosion and apply phosphorus based on soil tests Fertilizer spreader Agricultural Fertilizer Application • Use proper application rates • Correctly place fertilizer • Calibrate application equipment Wheat-corn-fallow rotation Agricultural Fertilizer Application • Use environmentallyfriendly farming techniques – – – – Crop rotation Buffer and filter strips Conservation tillage Laser-controlled land leveling – Precision agriculture No tillage wheat farming Turf Grass and Garden Fertilizer Application Turf Grass and Garden Fertilizer Application Composting can supply nutrients to the soil Turf Grass and Garden Fertilizer Application • Calibrate equipment • Properly apply fertilizer • Irrigate after application • Follow label directions Large-Scale Pesticide Application Spraying cotton in Mississippi Large-Scale Pesticide Application • Integrated Pest Management combines three pest control tactics – Biological – Cultural or horticultural – Chemical The leaf beetle Diorhabda elongata; first approved biological control agent for salt cedar in the US Large-Scale Pesticide Application Ultra low volume herbicide application Small-Scale Pesticide Application • Select diseaseresistant plants • Use plant management techniques • Use natural biological controls and manual control activities Small-Scale Pesticide Application Small-Scale Pesticide Application • Lady bugs are a natural biological control for aphids Class Discussion: Implementing Source Water Protection Measures 134 Summary • Source water protection is best done at the local level • Non-regulatory actions can be successful • Current federal, state, and local programs can be a basis or supplement local source water protection programs Acknowledgements The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency would like to acknowledge the contributions of the members of the Source Water Protection Best Management Practices Advisory Group, under the leadership of Steven Ainsworth of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. • • • • • • • • • • • Rita Bair James Bourne Ross Brennan Hamilton Brown Richard Cobb James Crawford Anthony Dulka Jack Falk MaryJo Feuerbach Nancy Fitz Claire Gesalman • • • • • • • • • • • • Robert Goo Richard Gullick Denise Hawkins Joyce Hudson Elizabeth Hunt Paul Jehn Joseph Lee Marty Link Ryan McReynolds Karen Metchis Douglas Minter Beatriz Oliveira • • • • • • • • • • • • Bruce Olsen Roberta Parry Kenneth Pelletier Art Persons Shari Ring Andrea Ryon Chi Ho Sham Paul Shriner Stephanie Vap-Morrow Leah Walker Hal White Pamla Wood