| Limits would protect water |
|
January 20, 2010 VERONA — Aiming to protect critical drinking water sources in the area, Augusta County officials are considering land-use restrictions to prevent groundwater contamination and water loss. The Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and the Augusta County Service Authority discussed a proposal Tuesday that would create Source Water Protection Overlay Districts throughout the county. The plan, which has been in works for a decade, would ban potentially hazardous activities in areas near water sources that are vulnerable to contamination. Kenneth Fanfoni, director of the ACSA, which overseas the distribution of water and sewer services to the county, said the change is needed because water quality had been deteriorating during the past several years and officials worry the problem could worsen if left unchecked. "We have a tremendous investment in our drinking water systems," Fanfoni said. "And we've been seeing a decline in quality and quantity." To prevent damage from chemicals seeping through the ground, the ordinance sets up rings of regulation around public water supply wells. Within 1,000 feet, the rules would prohibit machine shops, chemical processing or storage and food processing or manufacturing facilities. In a larger second ring of land, such businesses also would be prohibited unless they have a secondary containment system, are served by a sewer system owned by a governmental unit or agency and the use is permitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality or Department of Conservation and Recreation. Jennifer Hoover, a senior project engineer with the ACSA, said the ordinance would not apply to existing businesses. Instead, it would affect new uses, expansions or an existing structure that will be used for a new purpose. Private wells aren't affected. Hoover said 446 acres of land in the county would be within the most restrictive zones. That's about 0.1 percent of the county's non-forest, non-park land mass. The broader rings would encompass 14,510 acres, about 4 percent of the non-forest, non-park land mass. Jamie Emery, a consultant with the firm of Emery and Garrett Groundwater, said the ACSA is in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency and State Health Department regulations. However, because there is no local ordinances on the books to prevent the conditions worsening, Emery said it is possible the county could fall out of compliance if the situation is not addressed. "What about 10 years from now,?" Emery asked. "That is what this ordinance will do. It's not just about today, but it's about 10 years from now." Officials said contamination of the groundwater could be very expensive to fix, and prevention is the best option. In addition, Emery and other officials said the county's Comprehensive Plan calls for the creation of the water protection districts to ensure the highest quality water is available. "The comprehensive plan states that it will implement the necessary regulations and or acquisitions of critical groundwater recharge areas necessary to ensure adequate longterm water supply protection for county citizens," Emery said during his presentation to the groups. "This Source Water Protection Overlay Ordinance serves to provide the county with tools that will be helpful and necessary to protect drinking water supplies." Fanfoni said more discussion is likely as the Planning Commission and the Board Supervisors further debate and dissect the topic. He said he hopes the ordinance will be adopted within months. |