Drinking Water Protection Program Activities: Adapted from the DHS/DEQ Annual Report to EPA - June 2010

Significant improvements continue to be made in accessibility of the Source Water Assessment (SWA) data. Maps and downloadable statewide GIS shapefiles of drinking water source area coverages and identified potential sources of contamination are available on DEQ's Drinking Water Protection website. Drinking water source areas can now also be identified (and selected as a search criteria) for both DEQ's Facility Profiler (a location based system showing DEQ permit holders and cleanup sites) and DEQ's LASAR (Laboratory Analytical Storage and Recovery for air and water quality monitoring data). The SWA data is also available from other Oregon websites, including the OSU Institute for Natural Resources and the Oregon Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. DEQ receives an average of 3-4 requests for data every month from local governments, Federal contractors, and consultants. GIS shapefiles and coverages are provided when effective security of the data is provided.

As of June 2010, a total of 183 community water systems (21% of Oregon’s community water systems) have “substantially implemented” a strategy to protect their drinking water. These 183 community water systems include many of Oregon’s larger communities and serve a total of approximately 3,109,220 Oregonians, 82% of the estimated 3,811,947 Oregonians served by community water systems. “Substantial implementation” occurs when Oregon agencies determine that strategic protective actions have been taken to appropriately reduce the risk of potential contamination within the community water system source water area, based on the state/local identified significant threats and sensitivity of the source water or source area. These strategic protective actions can be performed at the state, regional, and/or local levels.

Both DHS and DEQ regularly provide technical assistance to water systems that request it, regardless of whether their intention is to develop a full drinking water protection plan or simply identify and implement key protective measures for their source water. Many of these systems and the state assistance that is provided do not qualify for the “substantial implementation” status, but the interest and positive correspondence demonstrates an awareness of the issues and a desire to be involved to the extent their resources.

Drinking Water Source Monitoring Project
DEQ implemented a “Drinking Water Source Monitoring” project that included collecting groundwater and surface water samples from 12 high-risk drinking water sources as identified through the SWAs. DEQ Laboratory staff collected the samples above the surface water intakes and at wells for analysis of a list of over 250 Oregon-specific herbicides, insecticides, pharmaceuticals, VOCs (including cleaners), fire retardants, PAHs, personal care products, and plasticizers. The purpose of the Source Monitoring was to collect data from multiple contaminant sources to assist in determining priorities for technical assistance and prevention, and to collect screening level data on whether there are potential human health risks beyond those routinely monitored within the SDWA regulations. Analytical results were analyzed and sent to the individual public water systems in 2009. A project report is posted on Drinking Water Source Monitoring Report/Results website. Phase II of the study is currently underway and includes sampling sources of public water systems with moderate detections of nitrates and other contaminants; initial samples were taken in June 2010.
 
Turbidity Analysis
DEQ worked directly with 15 public water systems to research/document water quality issues associated with nonpoint sources, especially turbidity.  These systems have chronic problems with high turbidity  Several systems are impacted so severely that the intake must be shut down regularly due to extremely high turbid water.  Research and assessment included collection of raw water data, interviews with operators, GIS research on land uses, and field inspections. The Turbidity Analysis for Oregon Public Water Systems final report is posted on DEQ's website. DEQ is currently working to use the data from the report to promote more active protection and awareness of potential violations to the turbidity standards in the public water supply watersheds. The data from the report is also being used as input in DEQ’s current process of revising the turbidity standard.
 
DEQ’s nonpoint source specialist for drinking water regularly assists the Nonpoint Source program with forestry and agriculture issues, provides reviews on NPS program efforts, and participates in committees working on the “RipStream” project to improve FPA rules for stream protection-benefits fish and DW, especially in Coast Range. DEQ worked with EPA in 2009 on a literature synthesis regarding headwater streams, roads, and landslides. Staff reviewed the technical basis for turbidity standard revisions, participated as part of Internal Review Team, and wrote a draft document detailing drinking water protection options for private forestlands.
 
Nitrate Analysis
DEQ initiated a data analysis for groundwater nitrate and toxics analysis for public water systems with high nitrate levels. Included in that analysis is a soil nitrate sensitivity analysis and research on technical information on nitrate sources. The analysis will involve 8-10 public water systems. The nitrate data will be statistically analyzed and plans developed to reduce the loading within the 2- and 5-year Time-of-Travel Zones for each well.
 
Tualatin Watershed GIS Demonstration Project
In 2009, Oregon was selected to participate in one of several national demonstration projects integrating land use and water quality issues, called “Enabling Source Water Protection: Aligning State Land Use and Water Protection Programs.” The work was completed in June 2010 under a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, Smart Growth Leadership Institute, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, and River Network. The goal of Oregon’s project was to create a replicable GIS-based tool to assist in prioritizing lands and sensitive areas for protection in the watershed above drinking water intake(s) by identifying healthy lands most important for conservation of water quality and identifying impaired lands that ought to be restored to help protect water quality. The Tualatin watershed was selected for the demonstration project due to its mix of urban, rural, forest and agricultural land uses and the potential for increasing population growth and land use changes that may threaten the quality of the drinking water supply for the region. The methods used can be transferred to other watersheds in Oregon and elsewhere. More information on the project can be found here: Tualatin River Watershed Demonstration Project.
 
Public Water System Locator Web Tool
In January 2010, DEQ rolled out a new web-based tool designed to allow agency staff, permittees, and the public to easily identify and obtain contact information for downstream public water system intakes (see Source Water Assessments web page). This was initially designed to assist NPDES permittees as they develop and implement Emergency Notification and Response Plans but is also useful for other applications as well. For example, DEQ’s water quality permit staff use the tool to identify beneficial uses and suction dredge miners applying for the new 700-PM general permit are directed to this tool to identify downstream public water supplies. The website also provides a summary of the Source Water Assessment report for surface water systems and links to DHSs Data Online for contact information of public water suppliers that may be affected by a release or spill.
 
Analysis of Pesticide Data for Oregon
A 2009 DEQ LASAR database query returned over 120,000 records for the 187 pesticides evaluated in this analysis. Pesticides have been detected in ~4,300 samples.  DHS’ SDWIS database records show that pesticides were detected 67 times at 30 public water systems.  Sample dates for the LASAR/SDWIS detections were from 1982 to 2009. It is important to note that the detection limits were fairly high in many sample results, especially in sampling prior to 2007. The most commonly detected pesticides were Dacthal, Simazine, Atrazine, Chlorpyrifos, Atrazine-desethyl, Diuron, Guthion (axinphosmehtyl), and Metolachlor.  Pesticides were detected at a total of 466 sampling locations (325 groundwater locations and 141 surface water locations). The data demonstrates that the sampling locations have focused in areas of known problems, and many waters of the state have not been tested.
 
Coordination with the Oregon Toxics Reduction Strategy
DEQ is working to develop a comprehensive, integrated approach to address toxic pollutants in the environment. An integrated approach is essential because these pollutants readily transfer from one environmental media to another.  DEQ's cross-media toxics reduction strategy is being developed through the assistance of 11 separate DEQ programs that already address some aspect of toxic management, including drinking water protection.  The objectives of this strategy include optimizing agency resources by focusing on the highest priority pollutants in a coordinated way, implementing actions that reduce toxic pollutants at the source, and establishing partnerships with other agencies and organizations to increase the effective use of public and private resources. The drinking water protection program input has been useful for assistance in identifying sources of toxics, selecting toxic reduction priorities, and prioritizing the statewide human health risks.
 
Watershed Planning
DEQ is working directly with multiple public water systems in a basin or subbasin to encourage protection strategies on a watershed scale basis. This includes coordinating with surface water providers in the Rogue River, Umpqua, Siletz, and Clackamas subbasins. For example, DEQ staff continue providing technical assistance to the Clackamas Water Providers and watershed council to minimize the risks from high risk contaminants identified in the USGS NAWQA studies on the Clackamas River (report published in late 2007). The NAWQA study focused on the raw water sources, drinking water intakes, and finished water quality serving 325,000 Oregon citizens and provided Oregon-specific data on the lack of treatment removal for many types of contaminants found in the river.

Periodic Review
DEQ and DHS regularly provide input to cities and counties that are reviewing their land use plans under Oregon’s comprehensive land use planning process (“Periodic Review”). The letters to communities included detailed information regarding their water sources, maps of the source areas, and specific recommendations and guidance for drinking water protection.
                                 
Model Ordinance Development
DEQ and Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) updated model ordinance language that jurisdictions can use to protect groundwater and surface water sources of drinking water. The model ordinances will also be added to an updated version of Oregon’s Water Quality Model Code and Guidebook which will be published in 2010.
 
County Wide Ordinance Development
DEQ and DHS continued to work with Lane County and stakeholders including; Lane Council of Governments, the Utility Boards serving the cities of Springfield and Eugene, and the watershed council, towards the development of a county-wide overlay ordinance addressing both groundwater and surface water source areas. The ordinance is currently in draft form and will be presented to Lane County’s Planning Commission in August 2010.

Forest and Agriculture
DEQ continues to work with other state and federal agencies to raise the profile of the need for drinking water protection in Oregon, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, USDA, and the BLM. DEQ and other water quality programs submitted comments for the BLM Western Region Plan Revisions which would have affected management decisions on 2.5 million acres of forest and rangeland in Oregon affecting public water systems. SWA data has also been provided to several other agencies to facilitate incorporation of protection strategies into their respective programs.
 
Water Resources Department
DHS continues to work with the Oregon Water Resources Department and various consultants to encourage the development of source water protection in conjunction with Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) projects. The effort involves making joint presentations associated with ASR sustainability; reviewing proposed ASR projects during the Limited License and Permit application processes; and reviewing License/Permit modifications and/or extensions.
 
DHS has also been working with Oregon Water Resources Department to develop a Water and Monitoring Well Data Standard that will specify a common method for locating and identifying water and monitoring wells in the state. The data standard will allow users to acquire data from disparate sources and use the results in an appropriate manner for the required need, such as well drillers logs, water-level data, water quality data, etc.
 
Other DHS Programs
The SWA database and GIS sources continue to be utilized to assist other DHS projects, especially in the emergency spill response notification network, plan review process, groundwater under the direct influence of surface water monitoring program, wellfield analysis determinations, SOC use monitoring waivers, and Consumer Confidence Reporting. In 2009, using the GIS resources, DHS completed a project that updated maps identifying sources of naturally occurring asbestos with respect to Source Water Areas.  DHS is also using the SWA data to implement elements of the Groundwater Rule.
 
During the current reporting period, much of DHS time has been diverted to addressing cross-over issues involving Source Water Protection, Source Water Assessments, and the Groundwater Rule. In those efforts, the SWA database has been a crucial element in the implementation of the Groundwater Rule in Oregon.  DHS opted to utilize the hydrogeologic sensitivity assessments generated as a result of the SWAs to identify groundwater sources that should conduct 12 months of source assessment monitoring as a result of susceptibility to viral contamination. During the current reporting period, DHS has identified 279 groundwater sources belonging to 215 water systems that were required to conduct source assessment monitoring. As a result of source assessment monitoring, 16 water systems have moved to disinfection compliance monitoring as a permanent or interim measure to address viral contamination issues. DHS continues to update and add new data to the SWA database as new groundwater sources are approved for use, as data is discovered to be missing, and/or when there is a confirmed E.coli detection within a groundwater source. In the event of a confirmed E. coli detection, DHS reviews source construction to determine if the source should be reconstructed or replaced.
 
Other DEQ Programs
The SWA database and GIS sources continue to be utilized to assist other DEQ programs, especially in the Land Quality Division to identify priority areas for cleanup work: underground storage tanks, heating oil tanks, household hazardous waste areas, dry cleaners, brownfield sites, and site assessments. For example, DEQ and DHS staff have initiated a joint effort to contact community water systems and make them aware of upcoming Household Hazardous Waste program collection events. DEQ and DHS are providing those water systems with a packet of materials that can be used to inform their customers, rural households, and businesses within their Drinking Water Source Area of each event. In addition, SWA data is used while evaluating composting and solid waste permits. Within the Water Quality Division, SWA data is used to create priority lists for programs such as UICs, Groundwater Management Area involvement, Periodic Review input, and to address NPDES permit issues. The drinking water protection staff regularly work with other Clean Water Act programs. Input was provided for the CWA 319 RFP for public water systems with nonpoint source contamination issues to enable the systems to be ranked within the priority list for analysis by basin.  DWP also frequently coordinates with the Nonpoint Source program staff on overlapping priorities and input on statewide policy issues such as agricultural and forestry projects.

DEQ and DHS continue to work with the state National Rural Water Association affiliate (Oregon Association of Water Utilities). Interactions with OAWU include providing comments on workplans, providing technical assistance, speaking at conferences/workshops, and receiving annual updates of their progress in the area of Source Water Protection. Much of their Source Water Protection work since 2006 is reflected in our reported numbers to date. Our database indicates that they have provided Source Water Protection assistance to 9 community water systems classified as substantially implemented and 32 community water systems classified as initially implemented. Our database also indicates that they have provided Source Water Protection assistance to 4 non-transient non-community water systems classified as substantially implemented and 5 non-transient non-community water systems classified as initially implemented.

DHS and DEQ continue to work with non-transient non-community water systems, to achieve substantial implementation status. Furthermore, DHS believes schools comprise a sensitive population and thus it is an important investment in public health to include them as priority water systems for implementation assistance. In addition, we include on the priority list about 30-40 very small schools that fall below the formal definition of a public water system. As of June 2010, a total of 13 non-community water systems have “substantially implemented” a strategy to protect their drinking water.
 
DHS continues to work toward completing Source Water Assessments for those Transient Non-Community water systems that remain on the 1999 to do list and the 30 to 40 small schools. During the current reporting period, 56 of these water systems had their Drinking Water Source Areas delineated, sensitivity analysis completed, and potential contaminant source inventory conducted. The Source Water Assessment Reports for these systems are still pending but we anticipate their completion and release before the close of the next reporting period.

Oregon continued to promote the use of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for drinking water protection grants. DHS and DEQ is currently revising and updating the SRF drinking water protection grant process for the 2010 grant cycle. In the last set of awards, twelve public water systems were awarded a total of $198,551 to implement drinking water protection strategies. In addition, DHS staff are involved in updating the SRF Loan application ranking procedure, ensuring that evaluation of previous source water protection efforts remains a part of the ranking procedure. Both agencies participate in the evaluation and ranking of applicants for the grants.

Trainings and Workshops
DEQ and DHS were involved in a number of workshops and conferences supporting drinking water protection outreach in the reporting period. These included Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (2 workshops), Oregon Association of Water Utilities (2 workshops), American Water Works Short Schools (3), ASDWA National Conference (October 2009), River Network’s national conference (May 2010), DHS Small Water System Training Courses, DHS Drinking Water Advisory Committee meetings, and numerous watershed council meetings. DEQ drinking water protection staff will be participating in the EPA Region 8, 9, & 10 Western States Source Water Workshop (in October 2010).
 
Publications
DHS and DEQ contribute drinking water protection articles to the “Pipeline” newsletter sent to local officials at Oregon community water systems. The Pipeline articles provide updates for regional and statewide projects, such as the Drinking Water Source Monitoring results, and highlight examples of local communities that have implemented drinking water protection strategies.