Agenda - 05-01-2001-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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central portion of the County generally west-southwest of Carrboro revealed higher than normal readings. ,This area conforms generally to an underlying granitic pluton, the likely source of the high radon readings. In all, sixty-seven percent of the radon activities measured in the County exceeded the USEPA proposed maximum contaminant level. However, the. evaluation of radon activity is complicated by the difficulty in measuring the aerated radon gas. While elevated and worthy of note, radon activity in Orange County was lower than that measured in Guilford County three years ago. Additional information on water-borne radon, how to test radon activity, and the potential issues are provided in the attached fact sheaf from the Environmental Health Department. Among the other water quality findings was the incidence of some wells with an elevated level of the naturally-occurring trace metals iron and manganese, which commonly cause staining of plumbing fixtures and other nuisance problems. The Report of the Water Resources Committee attempts to pull together the many findings of the last several years, and assess the implications of the recent USGS report. On pages 18-19 of the report are a list of 10 findings by the Committee, followed by six recommendations offered for further consideration by the Commission for the Environment and the Board of Commissioners. These recommendations include: • The need for further research into the radon results in south-central Orange, perhaps in conjunction with Chatham County. • An ongoing ground water monitoring program to evaluate changes over time in areas seeing new development • Consideration for a comprehensive water budget approach to link surface and ground water planning • Review of sustainable ground water yields and land use policies in some watersheds of the County, based on the available information about ground, water recharge rates • 'A requirement that new subdivisions locate not only septic sites but also well sites prior to subdivision approval • The importance of water conservation for ground ,water based systems - Note: Color v®rsions of maps in the Committee report maybe found in the accompanying USGS published report. The Board of Commissioners' adapted Water Resource Quantity and Quality goal would have the Commission for the Environment assume the mantle of the ground water project, in consultation with the Water Resources Committee. Using the work of the Water Resources Committee, the Commission for the Environment is to evaluate the implications of these findings and report to the Board of Commissioners early next year on suggested policy changes to address these issues. The Board of Health may be interested in examining radon findings. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving these reports. The Environmental Health Division is incumng costs far purchase of radon test kits (air test kits are $5 each and water test kits $10 each). RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as information at this time, and schedule the ,items for discussion at a future worksession, before referring the reports to the Board of Health and the Commission for the Environment for further evaluation.