TCEQ Trade Fair Austin, Texas Overview of Source Water Protection Projects Mason T. Miller.

TCEQ Trade FairTCEQ Trade FairAustin, TexasAustin, Texas

Overview of Source Water Protection Projects

Mason T. Miller

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection Implementation TimelineImplementation Timeline

• Active since 1986 – Wellhead Protection (WHP)

• Expanded to Source Water Protection (SWP) in 1996

• 650 WHP and SWP participants• Implemented by TCEQ, Contractors and

Partner Agencies

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection ProjectsProjects

Source Water ProtectionSource Water ProtectionMajor ComponentsMajor Components

• Program Introduction and Research• Source Water Protection Area• Source Water Protection Inventory• Source Water Protection Report• Best Management Practices

Program Introduction and Program Introduction and ResearchResearch

• Plan Stakeholders Meeting• Board/Council Members• Underground Water Districts• Civic Groups• Etc.

• Discuss Goals and Objectives of Source Water Protection

Program Introduction and Program Introduction and ResearchResearch

Source Water Protection AreaSource Water Protection Area

• Groundwater

• Minimum 5 year capture zone

• Half mile radius for wells that we are unable to delineate a capture zone

• Provide 20 year capture zone

Source Water Protection AreaSource Water Protection Area

Source Water Protection AreaSource Water Protection Area

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection InventoryInventory

A Potential Source of Contamination (PSOC) is A Potential Source of Contamination (PSOC) is anything that is or could become detrimental to anything that is or could become detrimental to

the water supply. the water supply. 30 TAC §290.38(16)30 TAC §290.38(16)

• PSOC that originate on the land surface

• PSOC that originate beneath the land surface

PSOC that Originate Above the PSOC that Originate Above the Land SurfaceLand Surface

• Animal Feeding Operations• Chemical Storage• Dry Cleaners• Fertilizer and Pesticide Applications• Land Application Sludge• Petroleum Storage Tanks (aboveground)• Wastewater Outfalls• And Others

PSOC that Originate Beneath the PSOC that Originate Beneath the Land SurfaceLand Surface

• Injection Wells• Mined Land• Oil/Gas Wells• Petroleum Storage Tanks (underground)• Sanitary Landfills• Septic Systems• Water Wells• And Others

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Potential Source of Potential Source of ContaminationContamination

Source Water Protection ReportSource Water Protection Report

Source Water Protection ReportSource Water Protection Report

Contingency Plan•TCEQ provides template/examples

•Emergency contacts

•Alternate water source

•Media guide

Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices

• Most effective pollution control practice

• Implementation helps protect source water and public health

• Based on structural and non-structural

• TCEQ provides list based on:

•Source water assessment results

•PSOC identified in SWP area

•Stakeholder input

Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices

Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection ContractorsContractors

• Atkins North America Inc., TCEQ Prime Contractor

• LBG Guyton and Associates, Subcontractor

• LRPR, Subcontractor

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection ContractContract

• SWP plans for 24 water systems during FY15

• SWP through identification, education and prevention

• When complete water systems are given tools to protect their drinking water on a local level

• Free!

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection PartnershipsPartnerships

Texas A&M Forest Service•Implementing Texas Partnership for Forest and Water

•Relationship between forested watersheds and water resources

• Identify common goals between water utilities and forest managers

• Identify challenges and obstacles that prevent achieving goals

• Identify actions that can help overcome these challenges

•Conduct watershed assessment to identify priority areas

•For more information contact: Hughes Simpson – [email protected]

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection PartnershipsPartnerships

Source Water Protection Source Water Protection PartnershipsPartnerships

Texas Rural Water Association •SWP program sponsored by USDA/FSA

•Requirements

• Be a Public Water System

• Have a least one well or intake

• Be willing to develop a steering committee

• Be willing to Implement a least one best management practice

• Be willing to carry out public education

•For more information contact:

Deborah McMullan - [email protected]

ConclusionConclusion

• Focus protection effort

• Assist the public in better understanding the source of their water

• Implementation of best management practices to protect source water

• Want all community water systems to have SWP plan

• Assist water systems in maintaining program

Contact InformationContact Information

Drinking Water Technical Review Team

Mason T. Miller Sean Ables

(254) 761-3037 (512) 239-1758

[email protected]