Orange County NC Website
tendency to over pump. There was concern that the motors were not able to handle the capacity <br /> and that the result was some fractures of the well casing, which allows bacteria and other <br /> contaminants into the well. There may be some question as to whether there should be different <br /> standards for this type of equipment. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that somebody in the well business would have to be <br /> certified by the State. He said that a pump does not overuse itself, it is overused by human beings. <br /> Someone is either cutting corners or doing something that is inappropriate. <br /> Ron Holdway said that it is important to have a pump that will handle the depth of <br /> the well and the flow of the well. He clarified that the well driller, in most cases, does not install the <br /> pump. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she hopes the County Commissioners will <br /> encourage the Water Resources Committee to continue this work. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to page 28 and the recommendations. He thinks <br /> there should be a lot more participation by other boards than just the Commission for the <br /> Environment. For recommendations one and two, he knows those would address concerns <br /> expressed by the Board of Health. He thinks the Board of Health should be as involved as the <br /> Commission for the Environment. Also, the staff of Environmental Health works with wells <br /> everyday and should be able to provide a fair amount of support. <br /> Ron Holdway made reference to the radon levels and said that they have provided <br /> both air and water check kits for anyone in the County for just over a year. As they researched the <br /> situation, they found that the water in itself is not the significant factor, it only contributes to the air <br /> load of radon. In looking at the results so far, from the air tests, they did not see anything really <br /> alarming. They have given out about 150 kits so far. The kits are free to citizens. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to page two and consideration for a comprehensive <br /> water budget approach. This came up at the Water Summit in that we do not have much <br /> information about the impact of large water supply wells and smaller wells on adjoining properties. <br /> He said that this would be an area of immediate concern. Also, recommendations three and four <br /> should involve the Planning Board. He thinks that the Commission for the Environment should be <br /> in consultation and collaboration with some boards who have dealt with similar issues within their <br /> purview. Finally, on recommendation five about site design in the future and minimum lot sizes, he <br /> said that Chatham County specifically went to larger lots because of these kinds of concerns. He <br /> thinks it would be useful to get this information from Chatham County instead of having to duplicate <br /> the thinking. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the Commission for the Environment would <br /> welcome cooperation from other boards. <br /> Vice-Chair of the Planning Board Hunter Schofield asked if the staff had been able <br /> to cross-reference well levels with weather data to see what well levels might look like in the future <br /> based upon rainfall and recharge rates. David Stancil said that the original recharge rate data is <br /> based on the USGS stream flow gauges. The Water Resources Committee has addressed this <br /> issue. <br /> Ted Triebel asked if there has been any tie in between septic fields and <br /> groundwater or surface water. David Stancil said that this is another piece of the water budget. <br /> With this new information, we can know more about how they interact with each other and if the <br /> separation is sufficient. <br /> The Board agreed to endorse the direction of the suggestions within the report from <br /> the Water Resources Committee and to encourage the Commission for the Environment to <br /> proceed. The Planning Board and the Board of Health will also be involved. <br /> Chair Jacobs would like the Planning Board to have an opportunity to review the <br /> report and make comments before there is a collaborative effort. <br /> 2. TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS <br /> Craig Benedict gave an update on the progress of research into possible <br /> amendments to the current Zoning Ordinance text relating to telecommunications tower regulation. <br />