2016-79 Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as Potable Water 3002 N Water

Home Browse Search

12. Is the contamination source removed? How much of the contaminated soil is removed? The starting point of a remediation process is the removal of the source of contamination. The source is not always a leaking storage tank but may include leaking pipes or an accumulation of spills over time. When a spill or a leak occurs,the soil around the leak becomes saturated with gasoline or oil. This is called the"soil saturation limit"when the soil is not simply damp with gasoline but is suspended in the liquid similar to a very wet mud. The saturated area is a source of contamination that is normally removed along with the leaking tank or as part of the cleanup process. The area that is not saturated but does have some of the gas absorbed into it is normally allowed to remain with a barrier placed over it to keep it from coming into contact with people. This barrier may be pavement, a Ground Water Ordinance, a Highway Authority Agreement or some other form of remediation. 13. Why doesn't the City implement a City-wide ground water use ordinance? In the past,the City has explored implementing a city-wide ground water use ordinance. At the time, concerns were raised regarding areas in the City that are not served by City water. A city- wide ground water use ordinance would prohibit new drinking water wells from tapping into groundwater anywhere within the City limits. There are numerous locations within the corporate limits that are not served by City water. A ground water use ordinance would not require existing wells to be closed unless they have become contaminated but if problems arose with the well or it becomes dry, a new well could not be installed within the city limits. It was determined that a sizeable number of City properties without close access to City water would be adversely affected and it was therefore determined not to proceed with the city-wide ordinance. Page 6