developing a regional drinking water protection plan swati thomas, rcac february 3, 2005 part of the...
Post on 21-Dec-2015
215 views
TRANSCRIPT
Developing a Regional Drinking Water Protection Plan
Swati Thomas, RCAC
February 3, 2005
Part of the EPA/RCAP Drinking Water Technical Assistance & Training Program, a RCAP network project.
RCAC
What is a regional DWP plan?
Multiple systems
facing similar issues
go the process of
developing a DWP plan together.
Why a regional plan?
Provide an easy-to-use tool for PWS to protect drinking water from nitrate and other common pollution sources.
Foster communication and learning among systems facing common issues
Utilize and add to existing GWMA activities
End Goal…
Number of PWS’s adopting and implementing the plan
Result….Collective protection of groundwater sources from nitrate and other common pollution sources
Adopting the plan at the local level… Options
Adopt the regional plan as developed
Adapt the regional plan to meet local needs
Complete additional steps to develop a state certified plan
How? With lots of help from LCOG…
LCOG received funding to: Map protection areas based on
SWA Examine potential contaminant
sources & ID common sources Educate/facilitate development
of the strategic plan
Step 1: Initial Workshopto Brainstorm
Step 2: (2-3) Follow upMeetings
Step 3: Present regionalstrategies to GWWA
Committee
Step 4: Workshop toshare results.
Step 5: Assist systems toadopt the plan
Process for developing the plan.
Regional Planning Committee… Who will be involved?
Representative groundwater systems
GWMA water/wastewater sub-committee members
Local county health departments
DHS DEQ LCOG RCAC OAWU
Regional Planning Committee… Purpose
Provide input on the following: Develop the strategic plan Establish requirements for local adaptation of
the plan Outreach plan to systems in the area Also, invited to participate in GWMA
water/wastewater sub-committee
Benefits & Incentives
Prevention of contamination and protection of groundwater quality health + water quality + $$$$
Benefits & Incentives
Increased access to funding $$$$
– Access to special funding for implementation of protection strategies
– Additional credit when applying for funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund
Seven Steps to Developing a Drinking Water Protection Plan
1. Initiate the program.
2. Form the team.
3. Review the delineation.
4. Refine the inventory.
5. Develop management strategies.
6. Develop the contingency plan.
7. Plan for future water needs.
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Step 2 - Form the drinking water protection team.
Offer opportunities for
public input.
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Examples of public outreach & involvement
Letters to customers Press release Public meeting Invite stakeholders to participate Copy and distribute outreach materials already
developed – e.g., Coburg and Junction City materials Take advantage of outreach already being
conducted through the GWMA review of the regional plan and other GWMA activities.
Step 3 - Review the delineation.
Talk about the delineation of the
drinking water protection area.
A delineation is required for all systems adopting
the regional plan.
Step 4 - Refine the inventory.
Identify and prioritize risks.
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Required for all systems adopting the regional plan
Step 4 – Considerations when refining the inventory.
Identify past land use hazards.
Note variety in land use hazards.
Identify existing protection measures (e.g., BMPs)
Adjust risk ratings. Map results.
Improperly abandoned wells Chemical handling, storage, and mixing Equipment repair facilities Fuel storage Small farms Organic substance problems Stormwater runoff Septic systems
Potential threats
Step 5: Develop Management Strategies
Identify ways to reduce risks.
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Develop management strategies
Typical process Break into subgroups to
identify threats Recognize what is already
being done to minimize threats
Develop goals broadly stating what needs to be accomplished.
Review top management strategies.
Using the regional strategic plan:
Review identified risks for your system
What in the regional plan is applicable for your system?
Select appropriate strategies for implementation
Develop unique strategies as needed.
Focus of Goals and StrategiesOverall approach: Keep it concrete and doable
Educate Develop incentives Use a voluntary approach Prevent pollution Communicate better in application
process Raise awareness
Benefits & incentives…
Contingency Plan– Required for certified DWPP– Utilize existing Emergency Response Plan
required of all public water systems by June 2005.– Or, develop a contingency plan that will meet
Emergency Response Plan.
Questions to Answer
Who responds and who’s in charge? Are personnel trained to respond? How will the water use get prioritized – who gets
what? Short-term and long-term water replacement? Conservation measures? What financial resources are available?
Tips
Use other plans as a model. Build on existing emergency response plans. Involve police and fire officials.
SpillResponsePlan
Potential property owner criteria – evaluating control
Number of property owners Cooperation of property owners City/PWS ownership
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Other evaluation criteria
Land characteristics within the protection zone Current land uses Future land uses Infiltration risks
Characterization of risks Tip: Use criteria developed by others
Comparative Evaluation Ranking
for Proposed Well Sites
Evaluation Criteria Proposed Well A B C
City Ownership of Property 1 3 2 Number of Property Owners 3 2 1 Property Owner Cooperation 2 3 1 Current Land Use Risks 3 2 1 Future Land Use Risks 2 3 1 Infiltration Risk 1 3 2 Key: 1 = most desirable; 3 = least desirable
Make a recommendation from a drinking water perspective.
Celebrate your success and implement your plan!
Photo from History of the Movies by Edward F. Dolan, Jr.
Adopting the plan at the local level, what is involved? Summary…
Public outreach Complete delineation if no SWA is completed. Complete/review inventory of potential contaminants sources
included in the SWA. Identify priorities for protection Work through strategies outlined in the regional strategic plan Adopt the plan If interested, complete contingency plan & future source
evaluation for state certification. Implement the plan
Many available resources…
Oregon Department of Human Services Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality Local county health departments Oregon Association of Water Utilities Rural Community Assistance
Corporation Oregon State University Extension
Service
Oregon Dept. of Human Services Drinking Water Program
Ensure SDWA is followed.
Currently conducting SWA for groundwater systems.
Responsible for reviewing waiver applications.
Provide TA on SWA and DWP.
OR Dept. of Env. Quality
Conducting SWA for surface water systems.
Responsible for certifying DWP plans.
Provide TA on SWA and DWP. Also supporting Southern
Willamette GMWA Committee process.
Local County Health Departments
Linn County Environmental Health Program
Benton County Environmental Health Department
Ensure compliance with SDWA Offer TA to operators in respective
Counties.
Oregon Association of Water Utilities
Offer TA for small water and wastewater systems on O&M, management and other issues.
Source water specialists available to assist with all aspects of SWA & DWP
Oregon State University Extension Service
Well Water Program educates rural residents about conditions that threaten the quality of groundwater sources, and about practices and techniques to protect groundwater quality.
Received special funding to conduct outreach in the Southern Willamette GWMA and can support outreach efforts as part of DWP planning if desired.
Rural Community Assistance Corp.
Offer TA to small water and wastewater systems to assist with project planning, funding identification and grant writing, and management issues for wide range of projects including drinking water protection.
Lane Council of Governments
Facilitation and planning services to solve area wide problems.
Received funding to develop regional drinking water strategic plan.