Wellhead Protection Grant (Ground Water)

Planning Team

Form a local wellhead protection team, a collection of not less than three persons whose purpose is to facilitate the development, implementation, and maintenance of a WHP Program on a local level. Ideally, the team should include a representative from the Public Water System (PWS) and representative from a community served by the PWS.

Wellhead Protection Area, Wells and Source Water

Enhance the delineation for the WHP area, by performing any or all of the following: compile existing and collect additional hydrogeologic information, collect static water levels, perform groundwater modeling, including particle tracking, etc.  

Install sentinel monitoring wells to collect water quantity and quality, if deemed appropriate by the WVDHHR due to the presence of known groundwater contamination within the WHP area of specific systems.

Conduct scientific investigation to develop or improve understanding of hydrology for current or future source water use and development.

Complete a WHP area delineation for a new well.

Develop and implement a WHP program for a new well or well field or incorporate them into an existing WHP program.

Potential Contaminant Sources (PCSs)

Potential Contaminant Sources (cont.)

Update PCS inventory by performing all of the following activities: search records to identify present and historical potential sources of contamination and land uses that have a potential to impact the groundwater; conduct general surveys to identify potential sources of contamination and land uses that have a potential to impact the groundwater; map existing and potential sources of contamination within the WHP area; and develop a plan to inspect and update inventory regularly.

Address specific PCS’s, by performing any or all of the following: conduct on-site inspection of facilities that have a potential to impact the groundwater; develop and implement a program to locate and identify abandoned wells within the WHP area; investigate underground storage tanks and leaking underground storage tanks; and/or identify and investigate other specific threats.

Design and develop an implementation strategy to prevent non-point source pollution in a WHP area, such as a house and farm hazardous waste collection program including herbicides, pesticides, paint products, auto and farm implement products, and cleaning agents.

Develop and implement best management practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.

Abandon unused water wells within the WHP area.  This must be done by a certified well driller in accordance to WV Legislative Rule 64CSR19: Water Well Regulations, and 64CSR46 Water Well Design Standards.

Management Strategies

Develop and implement management strategies within the WHP area.

Partner with municipality or county government to incorporate a WHP Plan into a comprehensive environmentally-sensitive land use and development planning program.

Develop waste reduction strategies targeted for WHP areas.

Revise existing ordinances, or develop and adopt ordinances specifically designed to protect sources of drinking water.

Establish a program for transferring development rights within a WHP area to land outside of the protection area.

Contingency Plan & Emergency Response Protocol

Enhance or augment existing public water system and/or local agency Emergency Response Plans to address potential incidents that may impact drinking water quality, including written standard operating procedures and mutual aid agreements.

Establish a groundwater monitoring network that serves as an “early-warning” system.

Develop a contingency plan for providing alternative water supplies in the event of contamination of a drinking water source.

Public Awareness

Develop, produce, and circulate public participation and/or educational materials that promote awareness and encourage local support of WHP efforts, these materials may include: flyers, billboards, posters, videos, newsletters, workshops, school curriculum, etc.

Develop, prepare, and produce media announcements, such as news releases, newspaper articles and radio announcements.

Conduct educational programs that target identified existing or potential contaminant sources; or link specific pollution issues to local WHP concerns.

Erect signs that identify the WHP area or promote the concept of WHP, such as storm drain stenciling, construction and placement of road signs.

Security Projects

Install fencing, alarms, cameras, locks, and lights to protect wells, intakes, or raw water facilities.  Other structures may be included within fencing, in specific instances where it is clearly indicated doing so is the most prudent means to protect entry to the wellhead or intake.  Fencing gates to allow foot or vehicular access to source are eligible.

Provide a site plan showing wellheads, source vulnerability and proposed security features. 

Other

Perform other activities related to source water protection not listed above. To check the eligibility of activities not listed or for guidance, please contact program personnel:

Contact Staff at 304-558-2981