Ground water is one of our most critical resources. As populations, economic growth, and material disposal problems continue to increase, the demands placed on ground water supplies will increase accordingly. The danger and actuality of pollution or contamination of these supplies will also increase. People in all walks of life, from the private citizen to those in the highest levels of government are making decisions that will have long term significance for all of us.

More than 60% of Maine citizens (and all of Winterport's customers) rely on groundwater for their public and private drinking water supplies. Various land uses and activities threaten the quality of this valuable natural resource. Once groundwater is contaminated, it is difficult and expensive, and sometimes impossible, to clean up. Protecting groundwater from contamination is the most effective method to ensure abundant sources of clean drinking water. Land development has been identified as the dominant threat to public water supplies, and controlling land use through purchase, easement, or ordinance is the greatest challenge facing public water systems.


 

What is Wellhead Protection?

Wellhead Protection is managing land uses around a well to keep contaminants out of drinking water.

Ninety-one percent (91%) of Maine's public water suppliers use groundwater as their source. Most of Maine's groundwater tastes good and is safe to drink without treatment. Maine's Wellhead Protection Program helps public water suppliers keep it that way.

Public water suppliers have at least 15 service connections or serve 25 or more people for at least 60 days per year. They include "private" suppliers, such as variety stores or gas stations serving coffee; mobile home parks; campgrounds; schools; restaurants; motels; factories; and businesses, as well as municipal water districts.



Why does Maine have a Wellhead Protection Program?

> Safe drinking water is essential to human health.

> To keep public drinking water supplies free of contaminants.

> To avoid the high costs of groundwater clean-up.

> To comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1986 asked all states to develop a program to protect the area around public water supply wells.

Maine's unique program requires no new state mandates or funds. It is flexible and targets education and assistance to water suppliers whose wells are threatened. It trusts Maine citizens will take responsibility. If they don't, federal and state authorities may exert greater control.



How does the program work?

The Wellhead Protection Program helps public water suppliers take four important steps:

1. Delineation - determining the area of land from which the well draws its water.

This is the Wellhead Protection Area. For small suppliers this will be a circle with a 300 foot radius. Large, threatened water supplies may require a hydrogeologist to more accurately define this area.

Public water suppliers will want to know what's going on in the Wellhead Protection Area which could contaminate their well. Potentially threatening activities may include manufacturing and storage of chemicals, underground fuel storage, pesticide use, and poorly functioning or too many septic systems.

Public water suppliers can work with their neighbors and town officials to prevent contamination from existing sources and with their town to assure that new activities that could threaten groundwater will be appropriately located outside the Wellhead Protection Area. Tips for managing existing threats to ground-water will be made available.

Public water suppliers can arrange for alternate water supplies in the event of serious contamination to help them avoid interruption of service.

How can you help?

If you own or occupy land in a Wellhead Protection Area

You can consider how your activities may impact the public water supply, make sure you are complying with laws that regulate your activities, and follow management tips provided by the water supplier. Some examples:
 

If you keep gasoline or fuel oil above or under ground you will need to comply with Title 38 of state law. A good management tip is to make sure that any spills or leaks are caught in a rainproof container.
 

If you use any solvents, for example, in dry cleaning, electronics, or furniture stripping, you should know that Tide 38 makes it illegal to discharge any solvents into groundwater and requires you to report any spills or leaks immediately. You must dispose of any solvents at licensed facilities—never flush them into a septic or sewer system.

If you use pesticides, you must comply with Titles 7 and 22 of state law and follow the manufacturer's label. Avoid storing, mixing, and rinsing pesticides in the Wellhead Protection Area. Apply fertilizers and manure according to a nutrient management budget.

If your home is in a Wellhead Protection Area, regularly maintain and keep household chemicals out of your septic system. Find out how you can properly dispose of wastes such as solvents, cleaning products, paints and used motor oil.

If you are a Town Official Code Enforcement Officers can give priority to enforcing laws and permit conditions in the Wellhead Protection Area. Planning Boards can issue permits with conditions that protect the well. Police and Fire officials can plan to fit their emergency response to wellhead protection needs.

Thank You for Your Participation Maine's Wellhead Protection Program!