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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWHPP Resolution 1 CITY OF LAKE ELMO COUNTY OF WASHINGTON STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2018-096 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WELLHEAD PROTECTION POLICY AND APPROVAL OF PLAN (PART 2) PREAMBLE: Statement of Purpose The purpose of this resolution is to approve the Wellhead Protecction Plan for the City’s wells which has been presented to the Lake Elmo City Council. Background Groundwater is an essential source of fresh water for the public water supply system of the City of Lake Elmo. Virtually any activity on the surface of the ground which involves hazardous substances may contaminate the groundwater. Once polluted, groundwater is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to clean. The natural microorganisms which help break down some pollutants on the surface of the ground and in the top soil layers are not present (or not present in sufficient quantities) in groundwater. The slow rates of groundwater flow, ranging from one foot per day to one foot in fifty years, limit dilution or dispersal of contaminants. Groundwater contaminated by today’s land uses and activities may remain contaminated for hundreds of years. The State Of Minnesota (Department of Health) Wellhead Protection Program is requiring all public water suppliers to develop local wellhead protection programs. A complete program submission includes the following key elements: 1. Identification of roles and responsibilities 2. Assessment of data elements 3. Delineation of Wellhead Protection Area(s) 4. Vulnerability assessment 5. Identification of potential sources of contamination 6. Establishment of management strategies for the Wellhead Protection Area 7. Evaluation program 2 8. Water supply contingency strategy 9. Review and comment by the public 10. Implementation of the Wellhead Protection Plan 11. Resolution of disputes 12. Enforcement As defined by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the wellhead protection area is “the surface and subsurface area surrounding a water well or wellfield, supplying a public water system, through which contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field”. In order to develop a wellhead protection plan, each of the twelve (12) above-mentioned elements must be addressed. The City has addressed all twelve elements. RESOLUTION: WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo recognizes the importance of its groundwater supply as a natural resource used for drinking; and WHEREAS, it is within the responsibility of the City of Lake Elmo, as a public water supplier, to consider the health, safety and welfare of its customers; and WHEREAS, the protection of current and potential future sources of groundwater used for drinking water is worthwhile from the standpoint of resource protection; and WHEREAS, the City has been presented and has reviewed a plan from the City of Lake Elmo wellhead protection team which details the locations of the potential contaminant sources within the wellhead protection area, identifies goals, opportunities, and action measures to address potential risks to groundwater quality, a plan to evaluate WHP plan implementation efforts by the City of Lake Elmo, and an Emergency/Contingency Plan in the event of a water system disruption. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City of Lake Elmo does hereby agree to take action to: protect their well(s) or well field (s) recharge 3 area(s) which have/has been determined in compliance with the State of Minnesota Wellhead Protection Program; and BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the City of Lake Elmo does hereby agree that the Wellhead Protection Plan developed for the aforementioned Wellhead Protection Area, Drinking Water Supply Management Area for the City of Lake Elmo wells and water supply aquifer is correct and accurate according to the best available information and will be submitted to the governing authority Minnesota Department of Health for review and approval; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Lake Elmo does hereby agree to continue the wellhead protection planning process by implementing the plan which focuses resources on reaching the goals, objectives, and management for the contaminants of concern in addition to maintaining a effective Plan Evaluation Program and Emergency/Contingency Plan. Adopted this ___________ day of ___________________, 2018. Mike Pearson, Mayor ATTEST: Julie Johnson, City Clerk (SEAL)