Groundwater protection recommendations

DEQ Citizen Steering Committee South Deschutes & North Klamath Counties

June 20, 2013

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Agenda Introductions

The Committee Activities

Solution Scenarios

Recommendations

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Groundwater concerns over timeWhere are you?

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In 1949 "According to a nationwide survey:

More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette."

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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Where we started

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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

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Real estate transaction (RET) well tests

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Impacts Health concerns

Property values

Ability to sell properties

Our environment

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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”

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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?

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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

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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

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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?

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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?

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“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?

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Recommendation: Groundwater Monitoring Funding The DEQ shall pursue all sustainable funding for

groundwater monitoring (including state and federal programs)

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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

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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?

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Contact co-chair DEQ citizen Advisory committee:

John - [email protected] or 541-593-9394

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