Wellhead Protection Tips for Small Public Water Systems

Small public water systems such as residential subdivisions, apartment buildings, schools, or workplaces should take steps to protect their wells from contamination. Wellhead protection begins with the owner and operator of a well. To achieve protection, follow the six steps that are listed below and explained in further detail in this fact sheet:

1. Review the Source Assessment Report prepared by DES.
2. Familiarize yourself with the established protection areas around the well.
3. Examine activities in your protection areas.
4. Practice good management procedures.
5. Talk with municipal officials.
6. Educate staff and water users about the importance of clean water.

1. Source Assessment Report

DES prepared a Source Assessment Report for each system between October 2000 and January 2003. DES continues to prepare reports for most new community systems. The report, which was sent to the system owner, includes a map of the wellhead protection area(s), an inventory of potential sources of contamination, and a rating of each well’s vulnerability to contamination. The report also includes a description of suggested protection measures. If you have difficulty finding your copy of the Source Assessment Report, please view the results online at www.des.nh.gov/dwspp/part1.htm, or call DES at (603) 271-4071.

2. Protection Areas

3. Examine Activities
Look carefully at activities and businesses within the wellhead protection area. Identify any threats to water quality and develop strategies to address them. Be sure to include:

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) –
Leaking oil and gasoline USTs contaminate soil and groundwater. If a UST is located within the sanitary protective radius of a well, remove it to a location outside the sanitary protective radius and check for signs of previous spills or leaks. (Call DES regarding UST closure rules.) All new USTs must be located at least 400–500 feet from a public water supply well. If you need to store fuel to power an emergency generator, use natural gas or propane. Any heating oil tanks in the larger WHPA should be above-ground or in basements on an impermeable surface and contained in an area large enough to hold the complete liquid volume should a spill occur.

Herbicides, Pesticides, and Fertilizers – Herbicides and pesticides must not be used or stored within your sanitary protective radius. If you use them outside of but near the sanitary protective radius, be careful to follow label directions and any specific restrictions, registration requirements, and storage guidelines, which vary depending upon the quantity and types of products you choose to apply. Fertilizers are potential sources of nitrates and bacteria; don’t use them within the sanitary protective radius. Contact the DES Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGB) for more information on best management practices and additional fact sheets regarding these topics.

Effluent Disposal System – Septic tanks, leach fields, etc., should be removed and placed outside the sanitary protective radius of a well. Septic systems outside of but near the sanitary protective radius should be well-maintained. Inspect septic tanks every year and pump when needed. Never dump hazardous household chemicals down the drains.
Do not use septic system cleaners.

Storage Areas – Do not store, either indoors or outdoors, hazardous substances (e.g., gasoline, garden chemicals, paints, deicers/salt, motor oil, or antifreeze) within a sanitary protective radius. Outside the sanitary protective radius, store them in a secure building equipped with an impermeable floor and with adequate spill containment equipment.

Parking and Vehicle Use – Do not establish a parking area within the sanitary protective radius. Perform maintenance and washing of vehicles outside the sanitary protective radius commercial or vehicle washing that results in any discharges to the ground may require a DES Groundwater Discharge permit or registration, for more information please see fact sheet WD-DWGB-22-10 “Wastewater Discharges from Vehicle Washing” or call (603) 271-2858. Keep any vehicles that must operate within the sanitary protective radius in good repair to prevent leaks and spills. Thoroughly clean up any leaks or spills immediately.

Municipal/Institutional Systems – These facilities may be carrying out some of the potentially harmful activities listed above. In addition, they may use regulated substances or produce hazardous waste. Inspect these facilities, record what is being used, and be sure all potentially harmful materials are stored and disposed of properly.

For example, at a school, be sure that:

4. Good Management
A well must be secure and protected. To ensure the safety and purity of the well, follow the do’s and don’ts listed below:

DO:

DON’T:

5. Municipal Officials
Be sure that officials know you operate a public water system. Explain the exact location of your well, your sanitary protective radius, and your WHPA. Discuss the results of your Source Assessment Report. You may be able to work with municipal officials to educate residents and businesses within your WHPA and to reduce threats from community-wide activities such as road salting. Ask that your WHPA be included in any groundwater protection planning efforts. If you are concerned about a particular activity near your well, ask the health officer or code enforcement officer for help in informing the property owner about Env-Wq-401 Best Management Practices for Groundwater Protection. For more information, contact DWGB at (603) 271-2947 or (603) 271-0688.

6. Educate
It is critical to water supply protection that the public be aware of a protection area. Post signs at access routes entering the WHPA to inform visitors that they are entering a sensitive area. Use periodic mailings to educate residents and businesses in your WHPA about the importance of protecting groundwater. Inform your staff and your water users about potential threats; they may help you locate and resolve a problem. Community systems are required to include a summary of their source assessment report in their annual consumer confidence report. DES can provide you with sample notices to post within your facility to remind your staff that they are within the protected area of a water supply.

Benefits
Wells with an approved wellhead protection plan are eligible for money-saving chemical monitoring waivers. Also, protecting your source saves you the added expense of water treatment associated with contamination. Ultimately, the protective measures you take help protect your investment, ensure healthy drinking water, and improve consumer confidence!

For Additional Information

Please contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at (603) 271-2513 or dwgbinfo@des.state.nh.us or visit our website at www.des.nh.gov/dwgb. All of the bureau’s fact sheets are on-line at www.des.nh.gov/dwg.htm.

Note: This fact sheet is accurate as of January 2007. Statutory or regulatory changes, or the availability of additional information after this date may render this information inaccurate or incomplete.