1. Source Water Protection Best Management Practices and Other Measures for Protecting Drinking Water Supplies

2. Introductions and Background Introductions California SWAP results Source Water Protection Strategy for California

3. SWAP Assessments Progress as of 7/30/2003 # PWS# GW Sources # SW Sources Community2,9748,911774 Non-Transient1,4471,86196 Transient3,0293,435247 Total7,45014,2071,117 Assessments Performed by: 42% DHS 38% Counties 20% PWS Total sources: 15,300 (94% complete)

4. Assessment Findings “Most Prevalent” PCAs* * Possible Contaminating Activities occurring most frequently in any zone GW (14,200 Sources) Roads & Streets71% Septic Systems53% Water Supply Wells60% High Density Housing42% Surface Water Bodies38% Sewer Collection Systems38% Freeways/State Highways33% Above Ground Tanks27% Fertilizer/Pesticide Appl.26% Schools26% SW (1,100 Sources) Surface Water Bodies82% Roads & Streets69% Septic Systems60% Campgrounds/Rec Areas50% Water Supply Wells50% DW Treatment Plants47% Surface Water Recreation47% Freeways/State Highways47% Above Ground Tanks38% Sewer Collection Systems38%

5. Assessment Findings “Most Threatening” PCAs* * Very High and High Risk PCAs occurring in Zone A GW Septic Systems44% Sewer Collection Systems35% Auto Repair Shops12% Ag/Irrigation Wells11% Gas Stations10% Known Contaminant Plumes9% Ag Drainage8% Leaking Underground Tanks8% Machine Shops7% Historic Gas Stations7% SW Surface Water Recreation31% Septic Systems28% Managed Forests14% Sewer Collection Systems12% Ag Drainage11% Grazing8% Recent Burn Areas7% Historic Mining Operations6% NPDES Permitted Discharges6% WW Treatment & Disposal5% Zone A = 600’ Min. Radius Zone A = w/in 400’ of SW body or w/in 2,500’ of intake

6. Challenges Not enough staff Not enough time or resources Springs & GWUDI sources difficult Other agency data not accessible Rewards Innovative Software “TurboSWAP” GIS Mapping Tool Improved SDWIS Inventory Participation by PWS Continuing Concerns Finishing assessments Updating assessments New sources Inconsistency/Inaccuracy Collecting source water protection data 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

7. Drinking Water Academy

8. 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

9. Objectives Discuss types of prevention measures Describe measures for specific sources Discuss what individuals and organizations can do to foster source water protection

10. California Drinking Water Sources 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 Approximately half the drinking water in the state comes from groundwater and half from surface water

11. Ground Water Significance - Most CWSs Use Ground Water

12. Introduction to Source Water Protection

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Comparing Costs and Benefits Responding to contamination can be as much as 200 times as costly as prevention

16. SWP Is Worth It

17. How Do Contaminants Enter Source Water?

18. 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

19. What Contaminants Cause Acute Health Effects? Viruses (e.g., Norwalk virus) Bacteria (e.g., Shigella, E.Coli) Parasite - Giardia lamblia Parasites, protozoa or cysts Nitrate Parasite - Cryptosporidium Warning Sign About Dangers of Nitrate

20. What Contaminants Cause Chronic Health Effects? Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) Inorganic chemicals (IOCs) Synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs)

21. Source Water Assessment Program

22. What is a Source Water Assessment? Public distribution of findings Delineation Vulnerability Analysis 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

23. Source Water Assessments as the Basis of Protection Assessments provide the baseline information to begin protection Assessments may be used to prioritize protection activities

24. 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

25. SDWA’s Major Source Water Protection Programs

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. WATER TABLE Brine - Salt Water (>10,000 TDS) DRY AQUIFER USDW BRINE Underground Source of Drinking Water <10,000 TDS What is the UIC Program and Why is it Significant?

31. Source: GWPC Class II EOR Well Oil Reservoir USDWs Mineralized Ore Body Exempt Aquifer Base of the Lowermost USDW Water Table Class III Uranium Solution Mining Class V Agricul- tural Well Class I Industrial Well

32. What Is Wellhead Protection? 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 Shari Ring: Image from EPA WWW Shari Ring: Image from EPA WWW

33. Other Source Water Protection Programs and Initiatives

34. Source Water Protection Initiatives Source Water Contamination Prevention Strategy National Rural Water Association Environmental Finance Center Network

35. Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act SDWA 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 CWA Wastewater Discharges Water Systems Wastewater Treatment Plants

36. Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act Protection Watershed

37. Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act “Point” sources or “non- point” sources National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Water quality standards Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

38. Other Federal Source Protection Programs

39. See http://www.epa.gov/ safewater/ protect/feddata.html for a list of Federal data sources related to source water protection

40. 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…

41. 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

42. Groundwater Management in California

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. Dept. of Pesticide Regulation Ground Water Protection Program DPR currently defines “Pesticide Management Zones” –1mi 2 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

47. DPR Ground Water Protection Program Source: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/empm/gwp_prog/gwp_prog.htm

48. 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

49. California Rural Water Association CRWA has had a staff person (Sue Murphy) working with many small water systems on source water assessments and protection –smurphy@cwo.com CRWA now has a staff person (Belinda Green) working with regional areas on source water protection

50. Who Ultimately Protects the Source?

51. Developing a Source Water Protection Plan

52. 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 SWP Procedures

53. Establish a Local Committee Starting organization: Water system (municipality, water district, utility company, or regional agency) Community served by water system

54. 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

55. Review the Assessment Initial assessment may have been done by –DHS –LPA county –Water System –Consultant –Regional agency –Other entity (CRWA)

56. 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

57. 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

58. 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

59. Introduction to Source Water Contamination Protection Measures

60. 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

61. How Can Protection Measures Fit into a SWPP? Impose by regulation Encourage through non-regulatory means Combine approaches as appropriate given site-specific considerations

62. What are BMPs?

63. Best Management Practices 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 Detention pond

64. 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

65. 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

66. Non-Regulatory Methods for Source Water Protection Without adopting any new ordinances or regulations, communities can be successful in protecting water supplies

67. 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

68. 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

69. Equipment Operation and Maintenance

70. Product Storage, Use and Handling

71. Proper Waste Storage and Disposal Photos: Texas Chapter, APWA

72. Public Education

73. 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

74. Land Management Work with landowners Contour strip farming

75. 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

76. Land Purchase and Development Rights Limiting new development in watersheds and recharge areas –Land purchases –Conservation easements –Land trusts and conservancies

77. 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

78. 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

79. Abandoned or Improperly Destroyed Wells Photo: Purdue Extension Service Locations often unknown Common nearby activities may degrade water quality Runoff also poses threats

80. Abandoned Wells Plug abandoned wells Use licensed well drillers Get a permit Graphic: North Dakota State Univ.

81. Vegetative Measures Swales Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Reduces the speed of runoff Promotes filtering or infiltration of storm water –Constructed wetlands –Vegetated buffer strips –Grassed swales

82. Emergency Response Planning What if..?

83. 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

84. 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 Emergency Response Planning

85. 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

86. Land Use Controls To control or move land uses that pose risks to source water –Subdivision growth controls –Zoning –Land use prohibitions

87. 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

88. 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

89. Land Use Prohibitions

90. 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

91. 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

92. Construction and Operating Standards

93. 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

94. 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

95. Source Water Protection Measures for Specific Sources

96. Storm Water Runoff Erosion from runoff

97. Storm Water Runoff Nonstructural measures to control runoff –Good housekeeping –Public education –Roadway maintenance –Erosion and sedimentation control measures Sewer stenciling

98. 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

99. Storm Water Runoff Filter stripGrassed swale Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA

100. Wet Ponds and Constructed Wetlands Storm Water Runoff

101. Photo: Texas Chapter, APWA Storm Water Runoff Infiltration Practices

102. Storm Water Runoff Storm water drainage wells (Class V) Protection measures for Class V wells –Siting –Design –Operation Storm drain

103. Storm Water Runoff Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) –Regulated under the NPDES Program –Over 5,000 nationwide

104. Septic Systems Ground water

105. Septic Systems Septic system drain field

106. Septic Systems

107. Above and Underground Storage Tanks Corroded underground storage tank

108. Above Ground Storage Tanks Corrosion protection Secondary containment Monitoring Periodic cleanup Evaporation protection Proper closure Sheltered above ground tank farm

109. Underground Storage Tanks Backfilling an UST installation in a lined pit Proper installation Corrosion protection Spill prevention Overfill protection Leak detection Proper closure

110. Vehicle Washing Facilities Minimize runoff Enclose wash areas and locate them on impervious surfaces Use alternative cleaning agents

111. Vehicle Washing Facilities Car wash with vegetated area

112. Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal

113. Water-based paint

114. 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

115. Small Quantity Chemical Use, Storage, and Disposal Have a spill response plan Do not mix hazardous and nonhazardous waste

116. Animal Waste Livestock Pets Wildlife

117. Animal Waste Feedlot management –Waste lagoons –Litter storage facilities –Clean water diversion –Composting Hog parlor with lagoon

118. Animal Waste Land application of manure –Nutrient management –Proper placement –Crop rotation Pasture or grazing management –Fencing Livestock fencing

119. Animal Waste Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

120. Animal Waste Managing pet waste –Clean up waste –Bury waste –Keep pets away from streams and lakes

121. Animal Waste Wildlife waste –Harassment programs –Reducing attractiveness of water supply areas Snow geese

122. 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

123. Agricultural Fertilizer Application Use proper application rates Correctly place fertilizer Calibrate application equipment Wheat-corn-fallow rotation

124. Agricultural Fertilizer Application Use environmentally- friendly farming techniques –Crop rotation –Buffer and filter strips –Conservation tillage –Laser-controlled land leveling –Precision agriculture No tillage wheat farming

125. Turf Grass and Garden Fertilizer Application

126. Composting can supply nutrients to the soil

127. Turf Grass and Garden Fertilizer Application Calibrate equipment Properly apply fertilizer Irrigate after application Follow label directions

128. Large-Scale Pesticide Application Spraying cotton in Mississippi

129. 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

130. Large-Scale Pesticide Application Ultra low volume herbicide application

131. Small-Scale Pesticide Application Select disease- resistant plants Use plant management techniques Use natural biological controls and manual control activities

132. Small-Scale Pesticide Application

133. Lady bugs are a natural biological control for aphids

134. 134 Class Discussion: Implementing Source Water Protection Measures

135. 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

137. 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. 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 Rita Bair James Bourne Ross Brennan Hamilton Brown Richard Cobb James Crawford Anthony Dulka Jack Falk MaryJo Feuerbach Nancy Fitz Claire Gesalman