Convincing Your Town to Adopt a Wellhead Protection Ordinance

An Introduction to a Model Ordinance and Best Management Practices

The Model Ordinance

So now we know what land uses can potentially contaminate groundwater, and what how we can best manage those land uses to protect groundwater. Now how do we implement those BMP’s? One way is to pass a law. The Ordinance provides legal standards for the protection of groundwater quality and/or quantity, acting as a public water supply for a community. Here is an overview of what the Model Ordinance does:

The ordinance establishes 2 areas within the zone of contribution called Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA). These areas offer increased regulation near the wellhead and reduced regulation away from the wellhead. Zone 1 is close to the wellhead, and Zone 2 is away from the wellhead.

• The ordinance allows land use controls to minimize the discharge of pollutants to groundwater
• It applies to all land uses within the WHPA
• The ordinance also allocates two zones in the WHPA
• It places the responsibility of administering and enforcing upon the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO)
• The Planning Board reviews and acts upon the applications
• After the effective date, no land use activities described in Prohibited Land Uses are allowed without the Required Permits
• Any unused permits are void after one year of being issued

Click on the right arrow below to see Prohibited Land Uses.

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