Water Supply in Dane County

Mike Kakuska

Dane County Regional Planning Commission

Conceptualized groundwater flow systemfor Dane County

Source: Bradbury and others, 1999.

Residential 30%

Irrigation 2%

Commerce & Other6%

Self - suppliedIndustry 9%

RuralDomestic

5%

Public Uses 16%(e.g. water use in parks,

schools, fire controland water main flushing)

Commercial 19%

Industrial 8%

Stock5%

Public Supplies73%

Private Supplies27%

Estimated Groundwater Use in Dane County

Recommendations:

• Alternative pumping strategies

• Maximizing infiltration

• Water conservation

• Analyzing impacts of proposed wells on sensitive resource areas

• Innovative measures(e.g., treating wastewater as a resource)

Primary Groundwater Quality Problems in Dane County

• Nitrates and Bacteria

• Pesticides

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Zones of Contribution Dane CountyProposed 2020 Pumping Rates

• Naturally Vulnerable Areas! Locate pollution sources outside these areas! Require special conditions or controls

• Potential Problem Areas! Existing pollution source areas which threaten

drinking water supplies

Elevated Nitrate Levels:

• Over-fertilization (in excess of crop uptake)

• Manure Storage

• Failing Septic Systems

• Clusters of On-Site Systems (rural subdivisions)

Agriculture:

• Improved design/constructionof manure storage facilities

• Proper abandonment of manure storage pits

• Nutrient management planning (to reduce over-fertilization)

Residential On-Site Systems:

• Triennial inspection and maintenance

• Evaluate the impact of clusters of on-site systems (rural subdivisions)

• Replace failing systems

• Information and Education

Pesticides:

• Increased monitoring- especially extreme risk areas

• Promote alternatives to pesticides- such as Integrated Pest Management

Landfills:

• More monitoring of closed landfills (esp. extreme risk areas and well protection zones)

• Locate future sites outside these areas

• Continued support of recycling, waste-reduction and hazardous waste programs

Above Ground Storage Tanks

• Less of a problem

• However, information gaps for fuel/chemical tanks (<1,000 gals.)

• Proper storage of fuel, pesticides and fertilizers is needed

Land Application of Septage:

• County oversight/responsibility for approval of land spreading sites

• Sites should be carefully designed and located outside extreme risk areas and well protection zones

• More authorized discharge points at municipal treatment plants

Summary:All Significant Land Use and Siting Decisions Should Include an Evaluation of the Potential Groundwater and Hydrologic Impacts:

! Locate pollution sources away from high/extreme risk areas

! Locate wells where they will be adequately protected

! Pursue various management programs to reduce the risk of contaminating drinking water supplies