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Developing a Regional Drinking Water Protection Plan

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

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Developing a Regional Drinking Water Protection Plan

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  1. 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

  2. What is a regional DWP plan? Multiple systems facing similar issues go the process of developing a DWP plan together.

  3. 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

  4. End Goal… • Number of PWS’s adopting and implementing the plan • Result….Collective protection of groundwater sources from nitrate and other common pollution sources

  5. What will be developed? End product: Regional strategic plan ….

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Process for developing the plan.

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Benefits & Incentives • Prevention of contamination and protection of groundwater quality health + water quality + $$$$

  12. 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

  13. Benefits & Incentives Reduced monitoring requirements for VOC’s & SOC’s $$$$

  14. Benefits & Incentives • Use of available source water assessments • Simplified process

  15. 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 fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  16. Step 1 - Initiate the program. Get key people Interested.

  17. Identify potential stakeholders Primarily completed through the regional planning efforts.

  18. Step 2 - Form the drinking water protection team. Offer opportunities for public input. Photo fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. Step 4 - Refine the inventory. Identify and prioritize risks. Required for all systems adopting the regional plan Photo fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  22. 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.

  23. Potential threats • Improperly abandoned wells • Chemical handling, storage, and mixing • Equipment repair facilities • Fuel storage • Small farms • Organic substance problems • Stormwater runoff • Septic systems

  24. Step 5: Develop Management Strategies Identify ways to reduce risks. Photo fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  25. 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. Develop management strategies

  26. 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

  27. Step 6 Develop the Contingency Plan The Register-Guard, November 4, 2002

  28. 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.

  29. 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?

  30. Tips • Use other plans as a model. • Build on existing emergency response plans. • Involve police and fire officials. Spill Response Plan

  31. Step 7 – Plan for Future Water Needs

  32. Potential property owner criteria – evaluating control • Number of property owners • Cooperation of property owners • City/PWS ownership Photo fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  33. 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

  34. Make a recommendation from a drinking water perspective.

  35. Celebrate your success and implement your plan! Photo fromHistory of the Moviesby Edward F. Dolan, Jr.

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. Lane Council of Governments • Facilitation and planning services to solve area wide problems. • Received funding to develop regional drinking water strategic plan.

  45. Junction City…a local perspective

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