Issue of
Concern: DRINKING WATER
Our Vision: A safe and
abundant water supply... forever.
To Reach Our Vision:
- Residents, business, and industry conserve water.
- Business and industry protect ground water quality by
careful use of chemicals and pesticides
- Residents with individual wells have them tested at
least once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and chloride.
Island County Community Snap Shot:
- approximately 72% of Island County residents obtain
their drinking water from ground water wells.(1)
- Surface water sources (Skagit River – Oak Harbor
and NAS Whidbey) supplies the other 28%.(1)
- 93% of Island County residents receive their drinking
water from a public water system.(1)
- Individual wells account for the remaining 7% of the
population compared to 15% for Washington State.(1)
- 28% of Island County’s drinking water supply is
fluoridated before distribution compared to 42% for Washington State.
- Public water systems are required to routinely
conduct water quality testing.
- Individual wells, other than during initial
development, are not required to conduct routine quality testing.
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What we are doing now: Most
of Island County’s ground water management efforts are based upon proactive,
preventative measures:
- Ground Water Management Plan
- Coordinated Water System Plan
– Coordinate/consolidate public water systems
– Establish public water system service areas
– Water conservation measures
- Island County Public Health Drinking Water
Program
– Well source protection (sanitary control radius)
– Source quantity/quality review and approval
– Growth Mgmt Act bldg permit requirements
– Subdivision requirements
– Water system design, management, operations, and financial viability
– Conservation measures
– Metering
- State Department of Health/Island County Salt Water
Intrusion Policy
– Rating system for existing and proposed wells
– Additional pump test procedures for medium and high-risk intrusion areas
– Mitigation design measures for prevention
- Island County Hydrogeologist
– Ground water modeling
– Database management
– Hydrogeologic evaluation
- Island County Public Health Chloride Monitoring
Program
– Salt water intrusion monitoring program
- United States Geological Survey/Island County
Cooperative Ground Water Recharge Study 1997–2001
- Nitrate Study
– Evaluation of nitrate contamination in Island County aquifers
| Conclusions:
Having enough high-quality ground water is important for everyone who lives, works, plays,
or owns property on Whidbey or Camano Islands. Our island environment is fragile. We can
all help by using water wisely and protecting water quality. |
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References:
1. Washington State Department of Health; Drinking Water
Automated Information Network
Did you know…?
All of our ground water comes from rainfall. The
rainfall filters down through the soil and is stored in aquifers. Some ground water
discharges naturally through springs, or leaks out along bluffs and beaches. Some of the
water can be pumped out with little effect on the ground water system. Contrary to
persistent rumors, there are no vast underground rivers coming from the Cascade or Olympic
mountain ranges.
"Island County’s greatest hidden
treasure is underground — the water we depend on every day."
Hidden problems…
Seawater intrusion is the major ground water quality
problem we face. Seawater intrusion is the movement of saline (salty) water into a
freshwater aquifer. A delicate balance exists between the amount of water that can be
stored in the aquifer, the amount of recharge from rainfall, and the amount of natural
discharge. Intrusion occurs when ground water flow in an aquifer is reduced and becomes
insufficient to maintain a balance between freshwater and seawater. Overpumping and
reduced ground water recharge can cause seawater intrusion.
Land-use activities can also alter the quantity and
quality of water which is eventually available for use. By increasing the amount of land
surface covered by parking lots and roof tops, we reduce the potential for precipitation
to reach our aquifers. Aquifer recharge is extremely important in reducing the potential
for seawater intrusion and in maintaining a long-term supply of ground water for future
generations.
 Water
Links
The EPA's Office of Water, Office of
Ground Water and Drinking Water Home Page. A wealth of information regarding water
supplies, drinking water safety, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Blue Thumb Home Page. The Blue Thumb
Project is an ongoing campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of drinkig
water issues and to motivate individuals, organizations, communities and local governments
to make water-responsible choices.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (1996).
Not the most readable of pages, but it's the law, for those of you that need to know the
facts. |
