2007-11-14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

effort to protect the drinking water supply are likely to cooperate with requests and guidelines to protect the City's wells. DWSMAs Extending Outside the City Boundaries The Drinking Water Supply Management Areas for Well #14 extends outside of the City into the City of Lexington. Fortunately Lexington is a partner in the City's water utility management program and wellhead protection planning group. Evolving Wellhead Protection Program The evolution of the state's Public Water Supply management program is a consideration for the City in wellhead protection plan preparation and implementation. As experience is gained - the plan itself sometimes must be altered as program mandates are altered or expanded. For example, the potential for a terrorist attack lead to immediate upgrade of the security for the City's water system. Such an alteration represents a significant cost when an early investment of resources and detailed planning is altered or abandoned. However, a measured approach permits the City flexibility to respond to new challenges and observe the effectiveness of initiatives as we move along a planned path to achieve our protection goals. Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Many programs currently exist for the management of nonpoint sources of water pollution from residents and property owners. These existing programs provide an opportunity for the City to enhance the protection of its wells by emphasizing existing nonpoint source management initiatives that address water quality within the DWSMAs. II. FINANCIAL ISSUES Implementation Costs The cost of implementing the wellhead protection plan is a consideration. This mandate is made without providing sufficient funds to comply. As a result, the City must balance its revenue with increasing fiscal demands that include the implementation of the wellhead protection plan. State Support State support for the implementation of the Wellhead Protection Plan is in the form of providing advisory and cooperation in existing programs. No funding is provided to implement the Plan. However, the Minnesota Department of Health has provided valuable support to the City in the preparation of the first part of the plan by delineation of the wellhead protection areas and well vulnerability assessments. Such support by existing State programs can enhance the City's plan. If State programs (i.e. well management, hazardous waste management, ground water cleanup, etc.) were not effective; the City may have to determine its role in regulating these potential contaminant sources to protect its wells. In a sense, these programs reduce the financial burden of the City to manage these potential contaminant sources. III. ISSUES DISCLOSED AT PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SUBMITTED COMMENTS The Metropolitan Council submitted the following comments on regarding development of the City's wellhead protection plan: · Upon submittal of WHPA delineations, the Met Council will determine the adequacy for review as a local comprehensive plan amendment, and notify each city on how it will proceed. . The Met Council will be looking for special protective measures for the numerous Drift wells, particularly in the vicinity of known groundwater contamination areas. July 3, 2007 DRAFT Centerville Wellhead Protection Plan (Part 2) Page 14