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-� 0G �- 5 <br /> In receiving this information, the Committee noted that this draws attention to <br /> the need for conservative pump sizing for new wells (please see Finding 9 on <br /> page 24). <br /> V. Summary of Findings <br /> To summarize, the work of the last seven years has led the Committee to draw <br /> the following conclusions and findings: <br /> Finding #1 <br /> Potable water is a finite resource in the County. 77ze availability of potable water is an <br /> issue that has public health, economic development and environmental ramifications. A <br /> decline in quantity or quality would represent a potential serious environmental and/or <br /> public health problem, and scarcity of potable water would hinder the economic <br /> development potential of the County. <br /> Finding #2 <br /> Ground water quality in the County is generally good and may be considered a reliable <br /> source of potable water. Although there have been isolated or localized incidents of <br /> ground water quality problems, the results of rite last eight years have not turned up any <br /> widespread problems of ground water contamination. 77ze primary ground water quality <br /> concern in the County appears to be from naturally-occurring sources, such as iron and <br /> manganese. <br /> Finding #3 <br /> However, while quality is generally good, elevated water-bonze radon levels in certain <br /> geologic formations of the County (more often found in the south-central part of the <br /> County)may pose health risks, and should be evaluated further. <br /> Finding #4 <br /> Ground water quantity in the County can vary dramatically, due to the type of fractured <br /> rock geology that underlies the surface. While ground water availability is adequate to <br /> meet current needs, the density of development permitted by zoning in some watershed <br /> basins may exceed the ability for ground water to be recharged to meet demand. <br /> Finding #5 <br /> Protection of water supplies needs a conservative approach to maintain our resource in a <br /> sustainable way and ensure that adequate ground water remains for future generations. <br /> Finding #6 <br /> The results of the cooperative research with USGS has provided a solid baseline of <br /> ground water quality and quantity, that may be used to measure trends and changes in <br /> well yield and quality over time. <br /> 18 <br />