Groundwater Protection - Questions & Answers
The City of Olympia Drinking Water Utility is required by federal and state law to create Drinking Water Protection Areas (DWPAs). Within these areas, the City's goal is to reduce or eliminate the risk of contaminating our water supply.
In November 2008, the City mailed a letter and map to over 4,000 DWPA residents. The letter provided information on how to protect groundwater quality and the map showed potential pollution sources, which residents had questions about. The most commonly asked questions are as follows:
What is a Drinking Water Protection Area?
In Olympia, we drink groundwater from wells. Groundwater is stored in aquifers, which are underground geologic formations of sand and gravel. These aquifers are kept full of water by rainfall that trickles down through the soil.
DWPAs surround a water well or spring to show where pollution can trickle down through the soil and contaminate underground drinking water. These areas are divided into 6-month, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year time-of-travel zones. These time-of-travel zones represent the time it takes a drop of water (or contaminant) to reach our water wells. The City currently has eight DWPAs, mostly outside the city limits.
Why is the City updating these areas?
The City is updating our DWPAs for the following two reasons:
- With recent research and groundwater studies, the City has a better understanding of groundwater flow and underlying geology around our drinking water wells. We also have new information on the quantity of water pumped from our wells. With this updated information, we can more accurately define our DWPAs.
- The City is developing new sources of water. The City plans to drill a well at the Briggs Urban Village along Henderson Avenue. We are also planning to replace the City's primary water source at McAllister Springs with a new wellfield, southeast of the springs.
Why did individuals who live within the proposed DWPAs receive a letter and map?
The City is required by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to notify regulatory agencies and local governments about our DWPA boundaries. The City is also required to notify owners/operators of known and potential contaminant sources of their location within a DWPA.
The City had three objectives for sending out the letter:
- To meet DOH's notification requirements.
- To provide information to residents in the DWPAs about how they can voluntarily help protect groundwater.
- To inform residents who live within the City limits and within a DWPA know that future development of their property (commercial or subdivision) may require additional environmental review to meet City ordinance requirements.
What is a potential contaminant map and what does it represent?
These maps help staff better manage potential contamination sources within our DWPAs. Septic system density, risks from transportation spills, active groundwater clean up sites, or sites listed by Thurston County as contaminated areas are shown on the map. These areas of risk are shown as a red triangle on the map. If you live near one of these areas it does not mean that your drinking water is contaminated.
Will there be additional regulations on my property because I live in a DWPA?
The City's Critical Areas Ordinance (OMC 18.32) applies to residents who live within a DWPA. Currently, this ordinance prohibits certain land uses and activities, requires new development to submit a hydrogeological report, and, in some cases, a pollution prevention plan.
By revising the boundaries of the DWPAs, your land may be newly included or excluded from the regulated area. If your land is newly included within the boundary, the Critical Areas Ordinance regulations apply, in some circumstances, if you develop your property.
The City of Olympia does not regulate land use in Lacey, Tumwater, or Thurston County. Each of these jurisdictions has their own Critical Areas Ordinance in place.
For more information on Olympia's Critical Areas Ordinance, visit our Groundwater Protection Code and Boundary Updates page.
Will I be required to hook up to City water or sewer if I live in a Drinking Water Protection Area?
No. Living within a DWPA does not require you to hook up to City water or sewer.
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Water Service: The City does not have a municipal code that would require City residents who live within the service area to hook up to City water. City residents who live within our service area, and whose private drinking water well is no longer operational, may hook up to the City system on a case-by-case basis.
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Sewer Service: Currently, if your property is within 300 feet of an existing public sewer, the City may apply an existing ordinance to require you to connect to City sewer when your existing system fails or if you are making improvements to your home that would require an expansion of your drainfield. Presently, if you have a properly functioning septic system it is not mandatory to hook up to City sewer. That may change if the state requires the conversion of septic systems to help clean up impaired water bodies within the City.
Who can I contact if I have concerns about my drinking water quality?
City of Olympia customers can call 360.709.2774 to speak with our Drinking Water Quality staff.
- If you are on a private well, contact Thurston County Environmental Health at 360.786.5465.
- City of Lacey customers may call 360.491.5600 or visit the City of Lacey website.
- City of Tumwater customers can call 360.754.4150 or visit the City of Tumwater website.
Staff Contacts:
If you would like more information about our Drinking Water Protection Areas, please contact Victoria DeCillo, Groundwater Protection Senior Program Specialist, at 360.753.8463, 360.753.8270 (TTY), or via publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us.
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