Groundwater Protection - Code and Boundary Updates

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On July 7, 2009 the Olympia City Council adopted changes to the Olympia Municipal Code related to Drinking water (Wellhead) Protection. This page provides an overview of those changes.

What is a Drinking Water (Wellhead) Protection Area?

These are areas in Oympia where the groundwater directly beneath is a primary source of drinking water for the entire City. We currently have eight drinking water protection areas.

To keep our drinking water clean, we monitor water quality in these areas, and support pollution prevention activities. If you own property in one of these areas, you can help protect our most important natural resource - drinking water!

Five of our updated Drinking Water Protection Areas have boundaries that lie partially within the Olympia city limits and are subject to city codes. Download our printer-friendly individual maps of Allison Springs Well #13 and 19, Kaiser Road Well #1, Briggs Well, Shana Park Well #11, and Hoffman Well #3.

What was in the old wellhead protection codes?

Olympia's municipal code included two different wellhead protection codes, Chapter 14.20 and Chapter 18.32. Both of these codes focused on protecting the functions and values of our Drinking Water Protection Areas within the city limits. Here's a summary of both codes:

Chapter 14.20 (Environment Chapter; Adopted in 1998):

• Designated specific wellhead areas under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
• Could require a Pollution Prevention Plan.
• Established penalities for violating a Pollution Prevention Plan.

Chapter 18.32 (Critical Areas - Updated in 2005):

• Required a Hydrogeological Report.
• Could require a Pollution Prevention Plan or Farm Plan.
• Prohibited and exempted certain uses (facilities and practices).
• Required existing uses to properly manage hazardous materials.

How have the Drinking Water Protection Area boundaries changed?

These boundaries were last revised in 1997, and new information about groundwater flow and local geology is now available. We have used a complex computer model to create updated boundaries. This is a more accurate method than what we used in 1997. Some of the areas have become substantially smaller, such as the boundary for our Allison Springs and Kaiser Road wells, while others have changed shape and gotten larger, like that for our Shana Park well.

View individual, printer-friendly maps of updated Drinking Water Protection Areas that lie partially within the Olympia city limits. These include Allison Springs Wells #13 and 19, Kaiser Road Well #1, Briggs Well, Shana Park Well #11, and Hoffman Well #3.

Why were the City codes revised?

In the last few years, we identified several ways to streamline and improve the land use review process through the code. There are three main reasons we updated the codes:

1. To streamline the review process and focus on known risks. The old requirement for a Hydrogeological Report was sometimes more onerous than the proposed mitigation. This report was time-consuming to produce and review for both City staff and applicants. The report is not be necessary for projects with known risks and hydrogeology. For known risks, we require minimum mitigation standards instead of studying the risk, and then proposing mitigation through a Pollution Prevention Plan.
2. To eliminate duplication and consolidate chapters. Chapter 14.20 was out-of-date, and duplicated some of Chapter 18.32.
3. To use updated boundaries. We want to be using the most accurate and current boundary information during land use review.

What are the main changes to the code?

There are several improvements we adopted. The specific chapter references from the ordinance adopting the code changes are included below in parenthesis.

• Remove much of Chapter 14.20 and consolidate it with Chapter 18.32.
• Waive the Hydrogeological Report requirement for known risks and local hydrogeology. (18.32.230 (B))
• Require "up front" Minimum Mitigation Standards (for example: properly manage hazardous materials, install landscaping irrigation) to replace the Pollution Prevention Plan requirements. (18.32.225)
• Revise the "prohibited uses" list to better match Thurston County's draft code. (18.32.215)

Will the code changes affect property owners applying for a development permit?

The updates have streamlined the City's review process for compliance with wellhead protection codes. For most projects, these revisions make it clear right up front what the requirements are, rather than requiring a Hydrogeological Study first. With the revisions, applicants will not be required to do a Pollution Prevention Plan. Instead, applicants are required to meet minimum mitigation standards to prevent contaminants from entering groundwater. Minimum mitigation standards include:

• Hazardous materials management (spill) plans.
• Applying only slow-release fertilizers.
• Limiting turf to 25% of the landscaped area and using drought tolerant and native plants for the remaining 75%.
• Efficient irrigation system designs and irrigation system consultations.

How will the minimum mitigation standards be applied on new development?

These requirements will be implemented during the land use application process using existing mechanisms, including: landscaping plans, stormwater operations and maintenance agreements, and Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions for residential subdivisions.

• Well inventory report.
• Dedicated groundwater monitoring well to monitor pollutants
• Access to property for city outreach and education activities.

How will the requirements for existing uses and management of hazardous materials be applied?

These requirements will be implemented through existing programs such as the Thurston County Business Pollution Prevention Program, and the Water Utility's pollution prevention efforts.

What were the steps in code revision process?

We worked with both the Utility Advisory Committee and the Olympia Planning Commission on proposed revisions to the code for drinking water (wellhead) protection. The Olympia Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on proposed changes to the code on Monday, April 20. They deliberated and unanimously approved sending the revision forward to the City Council for adoption. For a detailed record of their discussion you can view the meeting minutes. The Olympia City Council reviewed and adopted the revisions at their Tuesday, July 7, 2009 meeting under “Other Business” items. Review a printer-friendly copy of the staff report and ordinance adopting changes in the Council Agenda packet online. You can also view a video of the staff presentation and hear council discussion.

How has the community been involved?

We have held two public information sessions, mailed information to affected property owners, and held a public hearing with the Planning Commission over the last several months. We have met with the City’s Utility Advisory Committee to discuss proposed revisions to the code. We have also made a presentation to the West Olympia Business Association and sent out official notification through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process.

Contacting Public Works:

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A
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