Wellhead protection

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

What is a wellhead protection area?

A wellhead protection area (WHPA) is the surface and subsurface area surrounding a well or well field of a public water system. The area is divided into different zones based on the amount of time it takes groundwater to reach the well. Our WHPAs are divided into 6-month, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year time of travel zones. A raindrop landing in the 1-year time of travel should reach the well within one year.

What is the city's wellhead protection area and ordinance?

The city’s first WHPAs were drawn in 1997. The city also adopted the Wellhead Protection Ordinance which restricts certain land use activities from occurring in these areas. Since 1997, the city has made changes to the WHPAs. The changes were due to water production updates and the addition of wells. In 2016, the city completed a new Wellhead Protection Area Plan. This plan included new groundwater flow technology which more accurately drew the protection areas.

How you can help

Protecting drinking water is a team effort, and you can help. To keep our water clean and healthy for years to come, follow these three easy tips.

If you see something, say something. Report all illegal dumping or spills of petroleum or other chemicals to the 24-hour spill reporting hotline by calling 360-754-4150. More information on spills can be found our our Spills Reporting webpage.
Properly dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze, old car batteries, and other unused chemicals for free at HazoHouse in Lacey.
Inspect your septic system every three years and pump it out as needed. Learn more with our Top 10 Ways to be a Good Septic Owner guide.

Wellhead Protection Ordinance

The Wellhead Protection Ordinance is part of the Tumwater Municipal Code under Title 16, Chapter 16.26. The purpose is to develop and implement a wellhead protection program. The program identifies risks of contamination with potential to impact city wells. Once identified, it finds ways to reduce or eliminate those risks. The ordinance also defines what development and/or uses within the WHPAs are allowed. For example, the ordinance does not allow dry cleaners to use chemical cleaning methods on site within the designated six-month and one-year WHPAs.

Wellhead Protection Program

Wellhead protection program

The wellhead protection program supports the city’s mission of keeping high quality drinking water. The program does this by making sure those who use, store, and dispose of hazardous materials do so in the safest manner possible. To support this goal, city staff work with Thurston County Environmental Health to inspect and educate businesses about proper material storage and disposal. The city also educates homeowners about proper maintenance of septic systems and home heating oil tanks.

Quarterly groundwater monitoring is conducted at wells throughout the WHPAs. Our monitoring well network serves as an early warning system against issues that could impact our drinking water. If contamination is detected, the city can take proactive measures to lessen the impacts.

Potential sources of contamination include:

Septic systems
Leaky fuel tanks or pipelines
Chemical releases or spills
Landfills
Leaking cars
Stormwater runoff

Wellhead Protection Area Map

Wellhead Protection Area Plan

Wellhead protection plan

The city of Tumwater takes wellhead protection seriously. The city’s wellhead protection plan is a tool we use to identify and protect our wellhead protection areas.

In 2016, the wellhead protection plan was prepared in accordance to state code, WAC 246-290, as required for all group A water systems. This plan does the following:

examines hydrogeologic characteristics of the area;
delineates the wellhead protection areas;
identifies potential sources of contamination within the wellhead area;
evaluates the susceptibility of our sources to contamination;
develops a contingency plan for supply interruptions; and
establishes a process for responding to groundwater emergencies.

Cover, Table of Contents and Introduction PDF file
Executive Summary
Section 2 - Physical Setting and Hydrogeology
Section 3 - Wellhead Capture Zone Delineations
Section 4 - Contaminant Source Inventory
Section 6 - Water Supply Contingency Plans
Section 7 - Spill & Incident Response Plan
Section 8 - Summary of Key Findings & Recommendations PDF file
Section 9 & 10 - Closing & References
2016 WHP Plan - TABLES
2016 WHP Plan - FIGURES
App A - Well Logs
App B - Water Rights
App C - Contaminant Site Inventory
App D - Emergency Management
App E - Self Reporting Inventory Form
App F - City Agreements & Wellhead Protection Ordinance

Contact us

For more information, or to schedule a free technical assistance visit to your business, please send an email or call Water Resources at 360-754-4140.

City of Tumwater, WA