Groundwater protection recommendations
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Transcript of Groundwater protection recommendations
DEQ Citizen Steering Committee South Deschutes & North Klamath Counties
June 20, 2013
1
Agenda Introductions
The Committee Activities
Solution Scenarios
Recommendations
2
Groundwater concerns over timeWhere are you?
3
In 1949 "According to a nationwide survey:
More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette."
4
How did we dispose of chemicals?In the 60’s, we disposed of chemicals such as:
Paint
Gasoline
Paint thinner
Used motor oil
By pouring them on the ground
Seemed like a good way to cleanout the garage!
5
We now know Substances poured on the ground or otherwise
introduced, often end up in the groundwater
Substances in groundwater can:
Flow into rivers
Flow into drinking water wells
6
Where the committee started Steering Committee has been meeting at least
monthly for over 2 years
Our purpose: …provide recommendations to the DEQ on how to best protect the groundwater and prevent groundwater contamination of surface waters in the area …
Committee members are volunteers, working together to achieve an outcome that is mutually acceptable and which satisfies, to the greatest degree possible, the interests of all citizens in the … area
7
Committee Activities Viewed presentation about:
Health impacts
Well test results and data trends
The local environment
Possible solutions
USGS Study
Toured sanitation systems in the area
Published outreach articles
Developed outreach program and held initial outreach events
Formulated initial recommendation
8
Where we started
9
Sources of contamination Highly water soluble chemicals, including:
Phosphates
Pharmaceuticals
Household cleaners and personal care products
Nitrates (a marker for other contaminants at low test cost and EPA has a maximum allowable level 10mg/l )
Herbicides
Potential contributors: Livestock
Fertilizer & Herbicides
Septic systems
Ancient buried forests
Most contaminants in our area come from human septic waste * * USGS Evaluation of Approaches for Managing Nitrate Loading from On-Site
Wastewater Systems near La Pine OR. Scientific Investigations Report 2007-523710
Our environment Porous soil
Shallow groundwater
Shallow wells susceptible to contamination
All onsite septic systems discharge contaminants: Leach line/drainfield
Sand filter
ATT
Any water soluble substance put on the ground
11
Real estate transaction (RET) well tests
12
Impacts Health concerns
Property values
Ability to sell properties
Our environment
13
What do we do?Solution Scenarios
1. Do nothing
2. Solve for drinking water only
3. Monitor groundwater
4. Develop a phased approach to septic solutions
5. “One size fits all”
14
Do nothingCurrently, ATT Systems are required to be installed in most areas as existing systems fail
Possible Outcomes Unknowns
Government agency may require earlier deployment
Ongoing well contamination
Discharge into rivers may become a problem
Public health problems may occur
High cost to individuals when systems fail
High costs may be incurred if a management area is declared
Only ATT options available
What is the rate of contamination?
What is the impact to the river?
If groundwater becomes highly contaminated, what is the effect on properties, tourism and economic development?
15
Drinking Water and Groundwater
Groundwater is found in layers
Gravity pulls the water down
The lowest levels have the oldest water
Drinking water can be drawn from any layer of groundwater
16
Solve for drinking water onlyPublic water systems eliminate health risk to drinking water
Possible Outcomes Unknowns
Eliminate risks to drinking water
Government agency may require groundwater protection
Groundwater contamination may affect rivers
ATT systems will still be required as systems fail
Can we allow continued groundwater contamination?
How will the public water system be managed?
How will the cost of a public water system be covered?
Would a public system require a Goal 11 exception? *
* Goal 11 is a State land use rule that prohibits public systems in rural areas
17
Monitor groundwaterImplement a regular groundwater testing program to reveal contamination trends
Possible Outcomes Unknowns
More and better data on groundwater contamination
Data may indicate something more must be done
Data may indicate nothing more must be done
What is the design of the program?
How will the program be managed?
How will the cost of the program be covered?
18
Phased septic solutionsImplement septic solutions base on level of risk
Possible Outcomes Unknowns
Costs are incurred as needed
Multiple solutions deployed (most effective and cost effective)
Solutions in one area may reduce the need for solutions in other areas
How will the high risk areas be determined?
How will the approach be managed?
How will the solution costs be shared and covered?
What are the solution options?
19
“One size fits all”Require all lots to employ the same solution
Possible Outcomes Unknowns
Inefficient: over-solve some areas and under-solve others
High cost
Why would we choose this?
20
Draft Recommendations Goal 11 exception to allow public systems
Groundwater Monitoring
Governance to monitor, manage and finance
ATT Moratorium
Livestock limit per acre
Monitor point (of contamination) sources
Community education
Allow green and sustainable solutions
Statement of impact to areas outside the affected area
21
Recommendation: Goal 11 Exception Allow rural properties to connect to sewers or install
community systems Better treatment of contaminants beyond nitrates than ATT
Maintenance of systems managed by the community
Why we should be given an exception? Lots were platted prior to land use goals
Now area is zoned for 10 acre lots
Of more than 14000 lots (without sewer) 58% are 1 acre or less 82% are 2 acre or less
This goal 11 exception would not mandate a system be installed.
22
Recommendation: Groundwater Monitoring Test groundwater over time
Design testing to:
Effectively monitor contamination trends
Lowest cost
Pattern after DEQ monitoring approaches used in other locations
Funding:
DEQ pursue all sustainable funding options including statewide monitoring programs
23
Recommendation: Governance Entity Groundwater Monitor
Assist neighborhoods to implement community waste water systems (goal 11 exception required)
Provide maintenance for community waste water and on-site septic systems
Financing of activities through grants, loans and taxes
Manage performance based standards (green solutions)
Manage the overall basin nitrate (contaminant) load
24
For the next 5 years ATT systems will not be required
Systems can be repaired without upgrade
Moratorium end criteria that the community must address Goal 11 exception in place
Monitoring program in place
Governance entity in place
The governance entity with DEQ will determine what to do at the end of the moratorium.
If the moratorium end criteria are not met. All repairs and new installs done during the moratorium must upgrade
The moratorium would apply to new development
25
Recommendation: ATT Moratorium
Recommendation: Livestock (Deschutes County Only)
Ordinance: limit number of livestock per acre (Klamath ordinance is: 2 large animals (horse, etc.) and 24 small
animals (chickens, etc. not dogs or cats) per acre.
Educate owners how to:
manage waste
dispose of deceased livestock
26
Recommendation: Point Sources Point Sources (nurseries, golf courses)
Investigate establishing a permitting/groundwater monitoring program for all golf courses, nurseries and other point sources
RV and Manufactured/mobile Home Parks.
Require equivalent treatment as residential
Require a Water Pollution Control Facilities Permit for new and existing properties.
27
Recommendation: Community Education To ensure ongoing community involvement with
groundwater protection an outreach committee should be formed that will
Identify and outreach opportunities
Coordinate outreach delivery. Members from the current committee may be called on to participate in or lead the outreach events
Maintain and improve outreach materials
This committee should have access to enough funding to make outreach successful
28
Recommendation: Green Solutions There are many innovating approaches being
developed to deal with human waste.
We must be allowed to use new and better approaches when they are appropriate to the area.
Composting toilets as part of the grey water permitting established in Oregon.
Other performance based alternative solutions like contained wetlands should be allowed
29
Recommendation: Groundwater Monitoring Funding The DEQ shall pursue all sustainable funding for
groundwater monitoring (including state and federal programs)
30
Disadvantaged Community Financing Solutions The DEQ shall research how other states have
established financial aid for sewage treatment and propose an approach for Oregon
Long-Term Solution- To a Long-Term Problem
31
Goal 11 ExceptionTo provide solutions
that will protect ground & drinking water
MonitoringTo determine where solutions must be
installed
GovernanceTo manage and finance
monitoring and solution installation
ATT MoratoriumPrevent spending on
ineffective systems and provide time for people to adopt real solutions
The Solution
Mechanism to Get There
Groundwater concerns over timeWhere are you?
32