Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-7-12-.04

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 335-7-12-.04 - Local Wellhead Protection Plan

A Local Wellhead Protection Plan shall include the following elements.

(a) Local Wellhead Protection Committee. A committee responsible for the design of the LWHPP should be formed. The committee may include a variety of professions such as local government, education, and civic organization leaders, as well as representatives of business and industry.

(b) An ADEM approved Source Water Assessment Report developed in accordance with Chapter 335-7-5.

(c) Local Wellhead Protection Plan (LWHPP). A protection plan should be developed that provides strategies for protecting the water resource. The LWHP Plan should include the following:

1. Regulatory and Non-regulatory Protection Strategies. Protection strategies can include one or more of the following: acquisition; bonding; building codes; conservation; education and training; subdivision regulations; water rate changes; zoning; identifying an alternate source of supply; or other similar measures.

2. Identification of Local, County and State Rules A compilation of ordinances and rules that identify the individuals, agencies or boards responsible for implementation.

3. Establishment of Compliance Procedures. The water system shall identify the local authority responsible for conducting inspections and provide a mechanism for reporting violations and problems found during inspections to the appropriate organizations or authorities for enforcement.

4. Procedures for Local Notification. The water system should notify residents, as well as owners and operators of potential sources of contamination within the SWA. The notification should request that the owner/operator notify the local water system in the event of any activity that may have a negative impact on the groundwater.

5. Public Education. Education and outreach activities such as posting signs, distributing brochures and publishing articles that describe the wellhead protection program may be included in the plan.

(d) Contingency Plan. All contingency plans should address potential emergencies, such as well or well field contamination, water shortages due to droughts or flooding, and interruption of water sources and supply due to spills, accidents, power outages or equipment failures. The following four items may be included in the plan.

1. Water Demand. Water demand such as maximum daily, maximum monthly and projected future demand.

2. Chain of command. Identify the area of responsibility for each entity involved during an emergency.

3. Short Term Water Availability. Describe the local response to short term emergencies

4. Long Term Water Availability. Describe the local response to long term shortages.

(e) Plan for new sources. All new drinking water sources must comply with Chapter 335-7-5.

(f) Procedures for Review, Modification and Update. Water Systems should modify the LWHPP every six (6) years, on the occasion of overall system permit renewal. The LWHPP should also be modified when the following conditions occur: new wells are added to the system, there is a significant increase in the withdrawal rate (greater than 25 percent), use of existing wells is discontinued, and there is an increase in the number of potential contaminant sources.

Author: Enid Bittner

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-36-7, 22-36-10, 22-22A-5.

History: Adopted: September 19, 1995(ER) New Rule: Filed November 28, 1995; effective January 2, 1996. Amended: Filed November 7, 1997; effective December 12, 1997. Amended: Filed December 21, 1998; effective January 25, 1999.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-7-12-.04