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Wellhead Protection Area
Fresh, clean drinking water is one of the fundamental needs of a community, and protecting the source of that drinking water from contamination is vital. That's why David City has established a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) to safeguard the city's water supply.
The city became involved in the Wellhead Protection Program in 2000, working with the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District and the state Department of Environmental Quality.
A boundary for the Wellhead Protection Area was drawn, based on the "capture zone" - the land surrounding the city's public wells. Pollution within the capture zone can be drawn into the city's wells, which is why it's important to minimize any potential polluting activities within that zone.
In 2001, high school students, NRD staff and city employees did a "Contaminant Source Inventory" to locate potential contaminant sources and activities that could affect the city's water supply.
Taking Action
Based on the results of the Contaminant Source Inventory, the city developed a plan to help minimize potential polluting activity within the Wellhead Protection Area. The plan involves several components:
- Public Education - Mailings, road signs, ads, educational programs in local schools, and other activities will help keep the public educated and informed about the Wellhead Protection effort.
- Closing Abandoned Wells - Abandoned wells can provide a direct channel for pollutants to reach groundwater. The city is working with the Natural Resources District to locate and close abandoned wells within the WHPA. Cost-share of up to 100% is available for closing these wells.
- CRP - Eligible rural landowners within the WHPA are being encouraged to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program, which provides payment for idling cropland and establishing wildlife habitat.
- Best Management Practices - The NRD and Cooperative Extension will promote Best Management Practices in the area. BMPs help reduce the risks of nitrate contamination by encouraging more efficient use of fertilizer.
- Emergency & Contingency Planning - The city has developed an emergency plan to deal with water shortages due to well failure or contamination, and has also developed long-term plans for maintaining an adequate water supply for the future.
- Wellhead Protection Ordinance - In April 2003, the city passed a Wellhead Protection Ordinance that regulates certain activities and structures within the Wellhead Protection Area.
Wellhead Protection Ordinance
The Wellhead Protection Ordinance regulates most sewage and waste disposal structures and facilities within the Wellhead Protection Area. Permits are required from the Planning Commission to place, install, construct or replace most types of sewage and waste disposal systems. Some types of facilities will not be eligible for permits, such as sanitary landfills, sewage lagoons, sewage treatment plants, and absorption/disposal fields for waste.
The ordinance also establishes minimum setback distances for placing certain types of structures and facilities near the city's wells. This includes sewage and waste disposal systems, chemical storage facilities, livestock confinements, and other facilities. No permits will be issued for these types of facilities within the setback distances established in the ordinance. The setback distances range from 50-5,000 feet, depending on the type of facility.
More Information
For more information about the David City Wellhead Protection Area or the Wellhead Protection Ordinance, contact: David City Office, (402) 367-3135.
For more information about Wellhead Protection, contact: Lower Platte North NRD, (402) 443-4675.
