I. INTRODUCTION

1. Reuben Gillispie, West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH) convened the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 1998 in the Office of Environmental Services (OEHS) conference room in Charleston, West Virginia. The meeting began with each of the SWAP - Citizen's Advisory Committee Members introducing themselves. A complete attendance list is attached at the end of the minutes.

II. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

1. SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (SDWA)

   Don Kuntz, P.E., WVBPH, discussed the role of public participators - regulatory policy development. Decisions will be based on inputs. Involving citizens on the front end. He also gave an overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that was authorized in 1974. The 1996 amendments to the SDWA established the SWAP requirements. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is traditionally used to build or improve wastewater treatment plants but was expanded to include SWAP.

2. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

   The MOU's will be updated with the participating agencies.

3. ELEMENTS OF THE SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
   1. Elements
      1. Duties of Federal, State, and Local Agencies
         1. The Bureau for Public Health is the lead agency responsible for the Development and Implementation of SWAP.
            1. Many State Federal, Local Agencies and Private Individuals will be involved in various program aspects to protect the state's water from contamination.
      2. Public Participation
         1. Vital to the success of the program. A Technical and Citizens Advisory Committee will be established to help with the public participation aspect of the SWAP.
      3. Program Implementation
         
         

      There are three minimum requirements to implement the SWAP. They include:

      1. Delineate the Source Water Protection Area

         The Source Water Protection Areas is the total spatial area of land surface contributing water to a drinking water intake (for ground water and surface water systems).

         1. All Public Water Systems have to be delineated. This applies to all ground and surface water systems.
         2. Use the Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP) 5 year Travel of Time (TOT) for groundwater delineations.
         3. USGS will review and evaluate the current groundwater delineation techniques and new surface water techniques.
      2. Inventory of potential sources of contamination
         1. Identify all significant contamination sources in delineated areas.
         2. Compile an organized inventory data list and map showing location.
      3. Perform Susceptibility Analysis
         1. Process for quantifying and prioritizing actual and potential sources.
         2. USGS will review and evaluate the susceptibility process.
   2. Source Water Assessment Report
      1. Each system(s) must have a brief report presenting the results to the public. This report may include hydrogeologic setting, maps of the delineated area, inventory and susceptibility.
   3. Source Water Protection - Management and Contingency Plans
      1. In addition to the required delineations, source inventory and susceptibility determination. An additional part of SWAP may include local teams (help guide the process), management measures (eliminate the potential threat) and contingency planning (short and long term replacement strategies). How this section will be incorporated into SWAP will be discussed at the next SWAP meeting.

III. GROUND WATER SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

1. Resource Characterization

   Compile and evaluate existing information on West Virginia geology, ground water resources, and public water systems.

   Collection of existing regional and site specific hydrologic and well data. Examples of the types of information include hydrologic data such as the porosity, permeability, aquifer thickness, etc. Well data information would include the PWSID number, casing length, pumping rate, well diameter, aquifer type, etc.

   Hope to set up a database that can be used by other state agencies.

   We need accurate locations. We currently know about 80% of community wells and only 10% non community wells. Planning dictates that we know the locations accurately.

2. Delineation

   Guidelines were revised by the Technical Committee. These will be the chosen methods unless we hear differently.

   1. The following guidelines will be followed to delineate a SWAP area.

      Community System - If the system serves more than 500 population the area is delineated by one of the Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP) methods.

      Bedrock Systems - Hydrogeologic Mapping

      Karst Areas - Hydrogeologic Mapping

      Mine Areas - Hydrogeologic Mapping

      Alluvial Systems - Numerical or Analytical Mapping

      If the systems serves less than 500 population the area has a interim fixed radius of 1500'.

      Non-Transient - If the system serves more than 500 population the area is delineated by one of the WHPP methods.

      If the systems serves less than 500 population the area has a interim fixed radius of 1000'.

      Transient - If the system serves more than 500 population the area is delineated by one of the WHPP methods.

      If the systems serves less than 500 population the area has a interim fixed radius of 500'.

      Please note that in a Karst area interim fixed radius will be 2000' for less than 500 populations served.

      Reuben asked the committee members to take this information back to their agency to get additional input. This is an area for feedback. If these methods are too restrictive or not protective enough, then this needs to be brought up beforehand.

      The decision of whether to use a interim fixed radius method or a more sophisticated method to delineation these smaller systems will be made if it is determined necessary once additional reservoir data and the initial inventory data is acquired.

      Calculating the entire area that the water can come from in a particular source is part of the delineation.

      We are in the process of looking at computer models depending on the time frame. Some questions that need to be answered:

      • Is there data available to run this program?
      • This system has to very well planned because people may question your assumption.
      • The technical committee should be responsible for making system work. They can delineate the areas. We do the delineation in house using the analytical modeling.

      One of the Citizen Advisory Members asked if the technical committee is only there to provide verification of a system only? Bill Toomey, WVBPH said that none of the Wellhead plans have been questioned. The Technical Committee is used to help create a scientifically designed, well-thought out program that will deal with most of the issues beforehand.

      The Wellhead Protection Program uses the Analytical Modeling.

      The fixed radius method is fast, easy, and inexpensive.

      Discussed the geologic settings for public water systems of West Virginia.

      • discussion of the 6 Hydrologic Regimes in WV
      • limestone areas will pick up the Karst

      Discussed the terminology for Basic Capture Zone Analysis.

      Explained the EPA 5 year Time of Travel (TOT). Pumping a well in an alluvial setting we look at the 5 year TOT to delineation the area. Many of the other states use the 5 year TOT for groundwater systems. That is the minimum time set by the EPA.

      Reviewed the Paden City WHPP Groundwater Model

   2. Conjunctive Delineations - This will be done for systems with both surface and groundwater being pumped. Groundwater Under the Direct Influence (GUDI) of surface water systems are being determined under an existing program with WVBPH.

      Hydraulic Connection with Groundwater
      Surface water systems have additional requirements than groundwater - filtration is one area.

      The SWAP incorporates both surface water and ground water

   3. Who will delineate the SWAP areas?

      Staff from the WVBPH are expected to complete most of the SWAP area delineation's for the ground systems.

      The WHPP is only associated with groundwater systems not surface water. Therefore, the delineation requirements are the same.

      It is an ongoing process; it does not end when the assessment is done. The delineations can be changed if circumstances change.
      
      

3. Potential Contaminant Survey
   
   
   1. Contaminants of Concern - Reviewed the raw water contaminants regulated and unregulated under the SDWA.

      Key word is potential when discussing contaminant sources and areas.

      What is in the water - chemicals and pathogens? Taste, visual, odors are secondary M.C.L.

      This is another handout that the committee members need to take to their agencies for feedback/input.

      Are there are any contaminants that are not regulated by the EPA that pose a concern?

      Reviewed the classes of chemicals that can be in the water (handout)

      One of the Citizen's Advisory members asked who does the viruses testing? Bill Toomey, WVBPH, said that no one does presently.

      Reviewed the Contaminant M.C.L. Code List and Significant Sources Handout. Copies of this Maximum Contaminant Level list were requested by the members.

   2. Potential Contaminant Source Inventory

      Identify all significant potential sources of contamination.

      Compile and organize an inventory data list and map showing locations.

      1. General Survey
         Land Use will be put on a map
      2. Inventory - Ground Water Systems
         
         • Linking with DEP - to locate injection wells, USTs, etc.
         • Do not know the exact location, just the street address
         • Data is general - Satellite photos
         • Provide a map with contaminant sources
         • Have a potential contaminant source inventory on file
         • Obtained by the owner
         • More detailed survey
         • Checklist of potential sources - broken down in categories

         Reuben Gillispie, WVBPH, asked the committee members to take this information back to their agency to get additional input.
         
         

4. Susceptibility Analysis
   1. Process for quantifying and prioritizing actual and potential sources.
      Potential for a PWS's to draw water contaminated by inventoried sources at concentrations that would pose concern.
      
      
      • Narrative report - Will discuss how well a system is constructed.
      • Review of the Water Quality Data
      • Analysis of water tested is done on bottled water not raw water.
      • Water quality - how will it be tested.
        

IV. SURFACE WATER SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

1. Resource Characterization

   For delineated Watershed Areas:

   1. Ease at which surface runoff transported material can get into the stream.

      Watershed Size
      Watershed Shape
      Terrain (topography and slope)

   2. Potential for Surface Runoff

      Soil Type
      Soil Parameters

   3. Movement of Water through the SWAP area:

      Miles of Streams
      Average Stream Gradient
      Average Rainfall
      Average Runoff
      Maximum Time of Travel (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring)

   4. Water Quality

      All available water quality chemical and biological data (WVDEP, EPA, Data Bases, Water Utilities) will be collected and used to provide a direct pointer to a source of contamination.

2. Delineation

   Delineation of the SWAP area to include the entire watershed area upstream of the PWS's intake structure, up to the boundary of the state borders.

   Computer Program given to us by USGS will help determine how to make the cuts of all the watershed intakes. We are presently awaiting results from the USGS.

   1. The recommendation for surface water delineations for surface water delineation are as follows:

      Zone 1 - "Hot Zone" - width to be 1320 feet; length is 10 miles upstream; a more detailed survey is necessary with GPS location of all sources of concern.

      Zone 2 - includes the entire watershed upstream, covers a large area.

   2. Who will delineate the SWAP area?

      Who will Delineate the SWAP areas?
      WVBPH may contract it to USGS. They have expertise in the Surface Water Areas. ORSANCO will use a twenty-five mile upstream distance. USGS will report whether this distance is conservative or too short for use instate.

      Future delineations will be tied in to our in-house engineers. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin has already asked us for cooperation with delineation and inventory datasets. Other out-of State groups will likely also ask us for our information.
      
      

3. Potential Contaminant Survey

   Identify the potential sources and the risks involved.

   All of the Sources identified through the inventory process are considered potential significant contaminant sources.

   The committee members were asked to look over this table and to make any suggestions.

   Inventories are still going to be same as the Groundwater Systems. The land use will be different in surface water systems.

4. Susceptibility

   Inherent (open system with no confining layer, easy access for contaminant movement and relatively short time of travel) all surface water source of public drinking water are susceptible to contamination.

   Degree based on the hydrologic, physical characteristics and review of the potential source inventory.

   Susceptibility analysis will consist of a narrative/charts to report the results to the owners/operators of the PWS and the public.

   The susceptibility analysis will be completed after the delineations and the inventories are completed.

V. ASSESSMENT REPORTS

Integrate the Hydrologic setting, the Land Cover and Potential Contaminant Sources and the System Construction in a format that will help identify areas for additional evaluation and to direct management activities. This report will help the owner, operator or community understand how protected or under protected their drinking water source is. The information provided will also make them aware of the potential threats that exist within their source water assessment area that could, if not properly managed, impact their drinking water supply.

• Keep the reports simple.
• Maps to be developed can be done by the WVBPH - We will have a plotter, color printer, etc. Our agency will make the maps based on the information we have available. The systems will amend the inventory information and give it back to us. We will work with the systems to help them develop their management plan.
• Weekly papers would be a good place to put information
• Initial Release have a map
  Follow-up with a repeat of the map
  Show the change
  Guidelines
  Do it every 5 years and show the water quality changes
• Publish the information in newspapers or on the Internet

VI. MANAGEMENT AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING

This is an area for comments.

VII. WRAP-UP/NEXT MEETING

Asked the committee members to take the meeting information to your agency and get feedback. We want it fax it to us. We would like to have the feedback/comments in about a month - October 10, 1998.

The Technical Meeting will be based on the suggestions taken from the Citizens Advisory Committee. If you can supply additional information let us know.

Reuben Gillispie, WVBPH, asked the members if they wanted to meet again. The members agreed that they would supply the feedback requested and then it will decided whether to have another meeting. Your feedback is essential for us to design a model program. The attached questions were reviewed at the meeting and if you have any additional suggestions please submit at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. at the West Virginia Water Development Authority Conference Room located at the Northgate Business Park.

This site maintained by the West Virginia Source Water Assessment and Wellhead Protection Program. Please address any comments or questions
to the program or the webmaster.