Wellhead
Protection Committee Questionnaire Summaries
YELLOW SPRINGS WELLHEAD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARIES WINTER, 2001 Edited by Stanley Bernstein TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
Potential Sources of Pollution
Future Sources of Pollution
Ways to Prevent Potential Pollution
Water System Information & Household Information
General Comments and Letters
APPENDICES
1 The Questionnaire
2 Tally Summaries
3 Summary of Written Comments and "Other" Entries
4 Additional Comments
5 Separate Comment Sheets and Letters INTRODUCTION
At the end of December, 2000 fifty-four yellow questionnaires were sent to people who have particular interests in and/or knowledge about the designated wellhead protection area, and about two weeks later 1,916 white questionnaires were sent to users of Yellow Springs domestic water. The questionnaires were identical in all respects except for color. The two colors allowed us to distinguish responses from the two groups who might in some cases have somewhat different interests. Throughout this report the notations 'white' and 'yellow' will be used to distinguish between these groups. It is important to note that apart from identifying the two groups the colors in no way infringed on individual anonymity. A blank copy of the questionnaire is contained in Appendix 1. Although responses were requested by January 19, 2001 all questionnaires received by January 31 were accepted and tallied. Four hundred six (twenty-one percent) of the white questionnaires and twenty-one (thirty-nine percent) were returned. Fifteen more questionnaires were returned after January 31 and these were not included in the tally. As each questionnaire was received it was stamped and numbered; any extra comment sheet or letter that was included with the questionnaire was stamped with the same number as its questionnaire. The numerical results of the questionnaires were tallied. (See Appendix 2, Tally Summaries.) Special care was taken to keep secure the questionnaires and the information contained therein. Virtually every written comment appearing on the questionnaires was recorded, along with the number of the questionnaire from which it came, and labeled according to the question from which it came. These comments are contained in Appendix 3. Comments that were general, not associated with any question were similarly recorded and labeled and these are in Appendix 4. Separate comment sheets and letters were treated similarly and appear in Appendix 5. Every attempt was made to reduce human error, to maintain the accuracy of the tallies. This was made difficult by a few responses which were not consistent with the instructions. For example, for each of the fifteen questions under "Ways to Prevent Potential Pollution" asks the respondent to mark one choice with a '1' and another choice with a '2'. In these few cases respondents marked more than one choice with a '1' or '2'. Such responses could not be included. It is estimated that the margin of error in the tallies is about two percent. Although the tallies and the comments provide valuable information it is possible that correlations might provide even more valuable information. For example, did respondents who selected less restrictive measures for preventing pollution do so across the board or did they tend to be selective? There were not sufficient resources to look at correlations. However, the questionnaires have been preserved and it is possible that correlations may be obtained at some later date. RESULTS POTENTIAL SOURCES OF POLLUTION
Both the white and yellow questionnairesproduced similar results. Among the potential sources of pollution the two thatare perceived as the highest risk to the drinking water are (A) chemical waste generated from industry and manufacturing and (H) agricultural runoff and infiltration. Those that are perceived as posing the lowest threat are (B) pipelines, (C) waste generated from water treatment activities, (K) salting of roadways, and (O) improperly constructed or abandoned water supply wells. All of the yellow questionnaires had responses to this section while 52 of the white questionnaires did not have responses. There were two written comments on this page of the yellow questionnaires: one respondent did "not know enough to intelligently complete the form," and one thought that the color coding destroyed anonymity. Twenty-three of the white questionnaires contained written comments on this page. Most of them were concerned with the lack of information necessary to complete the form. Some folks suggested that we use expert opinion; three of these referred specifically to the disbanded Wellhead Commission. FUTURE POLLUTION SOURCES
Respondents to both the yellow and white questionnaires perceived that (A) adopt zoning regulations that restrict land development that poses the greatest pollution potential and (B) adopt zoning regulations that require wellhead protection criteria be met and approved prior to development were the most important options to minimize future potential pollution sources. The respondents also perceived that (E) purchase all the land and (H) rely on landowners to sell and develop their land in a manner that protects ground water were the least important options. All of the yellow questionnaires contained responses to this question while 27 of the white questionnaires contained no response. There were 16 other comments between the two sets of questionnaires, but no particular trends could be discerned among these comments. WAYS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL POLLUTION
This section contains fifteen questions that asked respondents to indicate their first two choices for ways to minimize or eliminate the opportunity for water pollution. The report of the responses to each of these questions consists of the following parts: * The most popular choices, * The least popular choices, and * Summary of written and other comments. *
1. Manufacturing processes and industry can use toxic and hazardous materials that can spill or leak into the ground and contaminate drinking water. The Most Popular Choices White Use overlay zoning to limit the amount of chemicals that can be stored and to create safety and design standards for storage vessels. Perform inspections of facilities to evaluate compliance with applicable chemical and waste handling, storage, treatment, and disposal regulations. Yellow Use overlay zoning to limit the amount of chemicals that can be stored and to create safety and design standards for storage vessels. Perform inspections of facilities to evaluate compliance with applicable chemical and waste handling, storage, treatment, and disposal regulations. The Least Popular Choices White Wait until there is a problem and deal with it then to prevent the same problem in the future. Post signs at industry that they are in a wellhead protection zone to increase awareness. Yellow Wait until there is a problem and deal with it then to prevent the same problem in the future. Post signs at industry that they are in a wellhead protection zone to increase awareness. Comments White A wide variety of comments from least restrictive, education is the key, or, enforcement of existing standards--don't reinvent the wheel, to most restrictive, ban use of all toxic & hazardous materials--suspend those manufacturing processes until safe methods & materials only are in use. Yellow Only one comment, install & fund a monitoring well system at the approx. 20-yr. TOT zone so serious contamination can be detected and remediated effectively.
2. Natural gas pipelines may rupture and either leak gas or catch on fire. The Most Popular Choices White Encourage pipelines to develop a reporting plan to advise of pressure drops, leaks, or other problems in the area. Yellow Encourage pipelines to develop a reporting plan to advise of pressure drops, leaks, or other problems in the area. The Least Popular Choices White Post wellhead protection signs in the area with numbers to call in case of a gas leak. Yellow Post wellhead protection signs in the area with numbers to call in case of a gas leak. Comments White A wide variety of comments many of which either used the word require or implied its use. Yellow Three suggestions were given, e. g., Ensure "gas" pipelines are carrying natural gas (lighter than air) and not propane or liquids.
3. Water treatment plants use small amounts of chemicals in the laboratory and dispose of sludges generated as part of water treatment. The Most Popular Choices White Require the development of a plan to handle, store, and dispose of laboratory chemicals and treatment sludges. Yellow Require the development of a plan to handle, store, and dispose of laboratory chemicals and treatment sludges. The Least Popular Choices White Move the water treatment plant out of the wellhead protection area. Yellow Move the water treatment plant out of the wellhead protection area. Comments White A wide variety of comments. Some respondents thought that this question referred to waste water treatment; others thought that it referred to domestic water treatment. Yellow Only one comment, (Add to "Require dev..") If not already in place; if so, then "perform inspections to evaluate.".
4. If not functioning properly, septic systems can pollute drinking water. The Most Popular Choices White Develop a maintenance program and inspect the septic systems in the wellhead protection area every year. Restrict the number and density of new septic systems that can be installed near the wellhead protection area. treatment sludges. Yellow Educate septic system owners/occupants on proper use and maintenance. Develop a maintenance program and inspect the septic systems in the wellhead protection area every year. The Least Popular Choices White Ban the installation of new septic systems. Ban the use of septic systems and build a public sewer system. Yellow Ban the installation of new septic systems. Ban the use of septic systems and build a public sewer system.. Comments White A very wide variety of comments. Education, reporting, and composting toilets were mentioned. Some respondents thought that extending the sewer line was a good idea, but one respondent disagreed because that might bring more development. Yellow One 'other' suggestion, Publicly (sic) paid for cleaning & maintaining septic systems.
5. Fuel tanks can leak petroleum products into drinking water supplies. The Most Popular Choices White Require leak detection devices and spill control devices be installed. Periodically test all underground tanks for leaks. Yellow Ban the installation of underground fuel tanks in the future. Periodically test all underground tanks for leaks. The Least Popular Choices White Encourage owners/occupants to report spills/leaks. Educate owners/occupants on proper usage and tank maintenance requirements. Yellow Encourage owners/occupants to report spills/leaks. Require the removal of all underground fuel tanks from the wellhead protection area. Comments White These comments range from establishing legal standards to enforcing existing regulation to education to requiring leak detection devices. Yellow Three comments: one suggests using only propane in the protection area, another would pay to move all tanks above ground, and the last would make sure that all tanks complied with existing regulations.
6. Agricultural fuels can leak petroleum products into drinking water supplies. The Most Popular Choices White Require leak detection devices and spill control devices be installed. Ban the installation of underground fuel tanks in the future. Yellow Ban the installation of underground fuel tanks in the future. Periodically test underground tanks for leaks. The Least Popular Choices White Encourage owners/occupants to report spills/leaks. Educate owners/occupants on proper usage and tank maintenance requirements. Yellow Encourage owners/occupants to report spills/leaks. Require the removal of all underground fuel tanks from the wellhead protection area. Comments White There were not as many comments here as on other questions. Education was favored. Yellow No comments.
7. Stored agricultural chemicals can leak fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides into drinking water supplies. The Most Popular Choices White Develop storage and handling guidelines for agricultural chemicals. Use overlay zoning to limit the amounts of agricultural chemicals that can be stored. Yellow Develop storage and handling guidelines for agricultural chemicals. The Least Popular Choice White Encourage reporting of amounts and types of agricultural chemicals stored. Yellow Encourage reporting of amounts and types of agricultural chemicals stored. Comments White Again, a wide variety of comments. Many respondents favored organic farming in the protection area. Yellow One respondent suggests the use of filter strips beyond the 319 program; one suggests keeping records of applied chemicals and testing the water for these substances; and one suggests that we move to organic farming.
8. Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can leach and runoff into drinking water supplies. The Most Popular Choices White Promote the use of sustainable practices that reduce the need for synthetic chemicals. Establish "best management practices" for application rates and encourage farmers to follow them. Yellow Establish "best management practices" for application rates and encourage farmers to follow them. Educate farmers that they are in a wellhead protection zone. The Least Popular Choices White Encourage reporting of amounts and types of agricultural chemicals used. Educate farmers that they are in a wellhead protection zone. Yellow Encourage reporting of amounts and types of agricultural chemicals used. Promote the use of sustainable practices that reduce the need for synthetic chemicals. Comments White Most of the comments were stringent. The word 'require' appeared frequently as did references to organic farming. Yellow Two comments: Encourage filter strips and Require organic farming.
9. Accidental or intentional discharge of pollutants into the Little Miami River can potentially affect ground water quality. The Most Popular Choices White Perform routine monitoring upstream from the water supply. Yellow Perform routine monitoring upstream from the water supply. The Least Popular Choices White Educate dischargers and households upriver about the wellhead protection area downstream and how their efforts can help protect the water supply. Yellow Educate dischargers and households upriver about the wellhead protection area downstream and how their efforts can help protect the water supply. Comments White Almost every comment insisted on requirements, especially for notification of discharges. Most respondents wanted strong measures to prevent discharges and/or punish dischargers. Yellow One comment: Support watershed groups who are addressing this issue.
10. Spills from vehicles on streets, roads and driveways can get into the water supply. The Most Popular Choices White Reinforce the existing emergency spill response plan and make sure fire departments have the necessary equipment and supplies to respond. Yellow Reinforce the existing emergency spill response plan and make sure fire departments have the necessary equipment and supplies to respond. The Least Popular Choices White Post "Wellhead Protection Area" signs on roads and streets with numbers to call in the event of a spill. Yellow Prohibit the transportation and use of hazardous materials in, through and near the wellhead protection area. Comments White Not very many comments, and they were very diverse, from prohibit through-transport (not local delivery) of hazardous materials to educate the public. Yellow One comment: Reduce automobile use, develop mass transit.
11. Salts and deicing chemicals used on roads in winter weather can get into water supplies. The Most Popular Choices White Use sand and gravel instead of salt. Yellow Use sand and gravel instead of salt. The Least Popular Choices White Limit the use of road salt. Yellow Limit the use of road salt. Comments White A variety of comments--a number of respondents did not think that this was a serious problem. Yellow Three comments: Use bare ground and other biodegradable deicing agents; Salt moves slowly thru soil, excavate road sides from time to time when levels get too high. divert water to retention ponds--after evaporation recycle the salt; and Go back to horse & sleigh.
12. Treated sewage discharge to the ground and to surface water may contaminate drinking water. The Most Popular Choices White Perform routine testing of discharge to surface waters. Yellow Perform routine testing of discharge to surface waters. The Least Popular Choices White Extend public sewers to the affected areas. Yellow Extend public sewers to the affected areas. Comments White a wide variety of comments--no trends were discernible. Yellow Four varying comments including: encourage use of sustainable sewage treatment systems to have septic system replaced if surfacing to the ground.
13. Application of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers to lawns and garden may pollute drinking water. The Most Popular Choices White Educate homeowners in the use of "non-chemical" lawn maintenance practices (such as organic and/or integrated pest management techniques). Yellow Educate homeowners in the use of "non-chemical" lawn maintenance practices (such as organic and/or integrated pest management techniques). Educate commercial providers in the area about application rates in a wellhead protection area. The Least Popular Choices White Educate homeowners about the importance of proper usage and dollar savings from over-application. Yellow Educate homeowners about the importance of proper usage and dollar savings from over application. Comments White There were 46 comments here, far more than for almost any other question. The majority of these comments in one way or another favored the banning of lawn chemicals. Yellow Three of the four comments here opposed the use of synthetic lawn and garden chemicals.
14. Old electric transformers containing PCBs may leak and pollute drinking water. The Most Popular Choices White Request removal/replacement of transformers manufactured when PCBs were utilized in transformers. Yellow Request removal/replacement of transformers manufactured when PCBs were utilized in transformers. The Least Popular Choices White Request reporting of any remaining transformers manufactured when PCBs were utilized in transformers. Yellow Request removal/replacement of transformers manufactured when PCBs were utilized in transformers. Comments White A variety of comments from do nothing to demand removal/replacement. Yellow No comments.
15. Improperly maintained or abandoned private, public or ground-water monitoring wells can serve as a source or conduit of drinking water contamination. The Most Popular Choices White Make sure that all existing regulations are being followed. Require annual inspections of all wells in the wellhead protection area. Yellow Make sure that all existing regulations are being followed. Develop a listing and location map for all existing wells. The Least Popular Choices White Encourage agencies and private owners to report new wells. Educate the community on the need to properly seal and abandon wells. Yellow Encourage agencies and private owners to report new wells. Require annual inspections of all wells in the wellhead protection area. Comments White Many of the respondents commented that they thought most of the options could be implemented; they did not think there was a need to chose among them. Yellow No comments WATER SYSTEM INFORMATION HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION
The data from these sections is summarized on the Tally Summaries in Appendix 2. The comments appear in Appendix 3. A brief discussion of the result from question 20, Are you satisfied with the quality of your drinking water? If not, why? is in order. Of the 342 users of Yellow Springs water who responded to this 141 (41%) are not satisfied with their water. The majority of respondents who gave reasons cited the presence of particulate matter--lime and rust. Others reasons prominently mentioned include: hardness, bad taste and smell, and the presence of chemicals, especially chlorine. There is a perception among some respondents that disease (cancer) levels in the Village are higher than they have to be and that the drinking water might be a contributor to this problem. GENERAL COMMENTS AND LETTERS
There were two general comments on the yellow questionnaires: The biggest threats are industries (Morris Bean and YSI) and lawn chemicals and An odd survey. Of the approximately 119 general comments on the white questionnaires fifty-four offered critiques of the survey, the most common being that the respondent did not have enough information to fill out the questionnaire intelligently. Twenty-nine of the comments offered further suggestions, stated particular priorities, or raised questions about the Yellow Springs domestic water supply. Some respondents felt that the quality of the water did not justify its cost. Sixteen of the comments expressed thanks that this work is being done; five comments raised issues about health problems, possibly exacerbated by the drinking water, in Yellow Springs; and there were fifteen other comments. In addition, there were nineteen separate comment sheets and letters. These are included in Appendix 5. Virtually all of these are critical of the questionnaire. By far the major criticism is that there is insufficient information provided to respondents so that these respondents found it difficult or impossible to fill out the questionnaire. APPENDIX 1
The Questionnaire APPENDIX 2
Tally Summaries APPENDIX 3
Summary of Written Comments and "Other" Entries APPENDIX 4
Additional Comments APPENDIX 5
Separate Comment Sheets and Letters |
