There are several approaches to prepare and implement a Source Water or Wellhead Protection Plan. The approach typically followed for the Department of Health (VDH) Wellhead Protection Plan Development Program is based on community involvement by the development of a Local Advisory Committee. Through a series of meetings, this committee works closely with the VDH Contractor to identify the potential source water threats and the options for controlling those threats for that particular waterworks. This information is consolidated in a written Wellhead Protection Plan that is provided to the waterworks for implementation. The VDH Contractor provides guidance and technical support through all phases of Plan development. The general steps in developing a Wellhead Protection Plan are summarized as follows:
Step 1: FORMATION OF A LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Community involvement is the KEY to a successful Wellhead Protection Plan. The Local Advisory Committee consisting of waterworks employees, town or local government officials, county or regional government representatives, board members, and/or water customers meet several times to help develop the plan. Having extensive knowledge of source water protection, the water system components, etc is not a prerequisite to being a committee member. For those waterworks participating in the Wellhead Protection Program, the VDH contractor will assist as needed in forming the Local Advisory Committee.
Step 2: EDUCATE THE COMMITTEE
As an initial step in the development of the Wellhead Protection Plan, the VDH Contractor will meet with the Local Advisory Committee to review source water protection concepts and the discuss the details of their water system. Advanced knowledge of these topics is not a requirement for participating as a Local Advisory Committee member and assisting in wellhead protection plan development. The steps that will be used to prepare the Wellhead Protection Plan are also presented so that Local Advisory Committee members know what to expect in future meetings.
Step 3: SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT REVIEW
In most cases, a Source Water Assessment was completed as part of the state Source Water Assessment Program. This assessment acts as an initial inventory of potential sources of contamination and provides a general assessment of the water supply susceptibility. The Local Advisory Committee will review the findings of the Source Water Assessment and update the inventory of the potential sources of contamination as necessary. The goal of this step is to identify key issues and challenges for developing and implementing a wellhead protection plan.
Step 4: IDENTIFICATION OF WELLHEAD PROTECTION OPTIONS
There are a number of Wellhead Protection measures that may be implemented; these include public education, planning and policy approaches, regulatory approaches, and non-regulatory approaches. The following table includes some examples of each of the types of wellhead protection measures. The Local Advisory Committee will discuss the options that are applicable to their water system and identify and select the wellhead protection measures that will best protect their water system. The VDH contractor will assist participants in the Wellhead Protection Program by providing technical expertise, reference materials, and advice.
Public Education
Planning and Policy
Regulatory
Non-regulatory
Step 5: WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Information from the waterworks is used in conjunction with the Source Water Assessment, other identified potential threats, and the control options selected by the Local Advisory Committee to prepare the Wellhead Protection Plan. The Wellhead Protection Plan components typically include:
The VDH Contractor will assist small community groundwater waterworks that participate in the Wellhead Protection Program in developing the Wellhead Protection Plan and will provide copies of the plan for use and implementation by the waterworks.
Step 6: WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Once completed, the Wellhead Protection Plan and the selected protection options are implemented by the waterworks. Implementation often includes notifying the users and nearby residents of the wellhead protection measures that are in-place or planned. Community participation is critical for a successful program. VDH offers funding opportunities to assist public water systems in implementing their source water protection plan.
The Wellhead Protection Plan should not be a report that sits on the shelf. It should be an active document with recommendations that are implemented in a timely and efficient manner. The plan should be revisited, reviewed, and appropriately updated at least once a year.