Laserfiche WebLink
<br />.. Chaptef3 <br />Issues, Problems,. and Opportunities <br /> <br />I. LAND USE ISSUES RELATED TO THE AQUIFER, WELL WATER AND DRINKING <br />WATER SUPPLY MANAGEMENT AREAS <br /> <br /> <br />Other Wells <br />Unused, old, abandoned, and improperly maintained wells pose a significant threat to City <br />wells. Such wells can act as a conduit for introduction of contaminants directly into an aquifer. <br />Since 1974, the Minnesota Department of Health, through its Well Management Program, has <br />permitted the construction of wells and licensed contractors. State law and rules apply to all <br />wells, including those constructed before 1974. Through the Well Code (MN Rule 4725) the <br />MDH regulates the construction of new wells and sealing of unused wells. The City is <br />prohibited from managing wells construction. <br /> <br />The problem with managing wells within the DVVSMA is that the existence, location and status <br />of a majority of the wells are unknown. The City has an opportunity to enhance wellhead <br />protection by cooperating with the MDH Well Management Program in locating and sealing <br />abandoned wells and documenting the construction of new wells within its building permits <br />program. <br /> <br />Management of Potential Contaminant Sources <br />Existing management of potential contaminant sources presents an issue and opportunity for <br />the City's wellhead protection plan. <br /> <br />Many of the potential contaminant sources or groundwater management issues that exist <br />within the DWSMAs are monitored and regulated through a labyrinth of state agencies and <br />programs. These programs (detailed in the Anoka County Groundwater Protection <br />Assessment) focus on a single land use or activity by a designated state agency such as: <br />Hazardous waste generators - MPCA and County Environmental Services; <br />Commercial agricultural chemicals and practices - MDA; <br />Petroleum and hazardous substance storage tanks - M PCA; <br />Well contractor licensing, construction code and maintenance - MDH; <br />Water appropriations by large capacity wells - MDNR <br />Soils and groundwater contamination - MPCA; and <br />Soils and groundwater contamination related to agricultural chemicals - MDA. <br /> <br />The City exercises "'land use control" though its zoning and development ordinances but <br />preemptive State programs for the environmental management have addressed facilities and <br />activities that represent potential contaminant sources within the DWSMAs. The Anoka <br />County Groundwater Protection Assessment has cataloged the various potential contaminant <br />sources. management programs. and opportunities to enhance groundwater protection. The <br />Assessment was used to assist the City in developing this Wellhead Protection Plan. <br /> <br />Public Awareness and Cooperation <br />The success of this wellhead protection plan rests on the cooperation of property owners, <br />residents. and businesses within the City's DWSMAs. State programs manage many of the <br />potential contaminant sources at commercial and industrial sites. But the management of <br />sources on the numerous residential properties (that make up 84% of the City) may not be <br />adequately addressed. The variety of activities and contaminant sources that residents may <br />introduce within the City's DWSMAs is broad. Property owners informed of the community <br /> <br />July 3, 2007 <br /> <br />DRAFT <br />CenteNille Wellhead Protection Plan (Part 2) <br /> <br />Page 13 <br />