Agenda - 05-17-2007-WRPMemo - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

median activities of groundwater exceeded 300 pCi/L in 5 of the 7 hydrogeologic units that were sampled, and two other units of limited extent in the county were not sampled. Additional research and follow-up an these findings are of immediate and critical importance to citizens who live in the parts of the County most affected, and this action should not be delayed any longer.. B. Increased Sampling for Organic Contamination (ERCD, Health) In the aforementioned USGS Study of 2001, no organic contamination was found in the 51 well samples examined. But USGS also concluded that the sample size was small and findings were primarily from recently drilled wells. A larger sample may enable this to be explored to determine whether the study findings are validated in this area. Organic contamination such as BTEX (components of gasoline}, herbicides and pesticides can pose health risks to citizens who ingest water contaminated with these and other compounds. C. Inventory Ground-Water Contamination Incidents (ERCD, Health} Orange County should develop an inventory of ground-water contamination incidents based on county/statelfederal reports (NC DENR, USGS, EPA}. A site check could be conducted to verify locations and potential impacts on ground- water resources and nearby water sources (wells, springs} and surface waters (streams, rivers}. This could also include evaluations of topography, bedrock structure with regard to contaminant migration, and ground-water contamination plume development. A person performing this function could work with State and County Environmental Health staff an follow-up and review of remediation planning and site remediation. This function could also provide information to residentsldevelopers, county departments and other county officials about potential far contamination of existing wells or planned wells. Issue 3. Resource Evaluation, Public Service and Education There have been a number of occasions over the past decades when additional information provided by a County water resources expert would have provided useful data on water supplies, bath for local decisions-making and as a resource far the public. Thus, the Water Resources Initiative proposes that the County provide a valuable service to its citizens to full/ a need that is currently unmet, as outlined below, A. Well Siting and Construction (ERCD, Health, Planning, Engineer) Over the years, many questions have arisen about the best place to drill wells and about methods to maximize ground-water yield. While many of these questions are only answerable on a case-by-case basis due to the County's underlying geology, there is some information that can be made available to assist citizens in planning far new wells. A resource person to informlassist 4