Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-5-.42 - Source Water Assessment

(1) Purpose. The following Rule for Source Water Assessment serves to help protect the source waters of public water systems of the State.

(2) Requirement to Develop a Source Water Assessment Plan. By May 2003, each public water system of the State shall develop a Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) for every well and surface water intake used by the water system. SWAPs will be developed in accordance with the Division's Source Water Assessment and Protection Implementation Plan for Public Drinking Water Sources. Large surface water systems, which supply water (directly or through wholesale) to a population of 50,000 or more, will be delegated the responsibility of developing and implementing a Source Water Assessment Plan. Surface water systems which supply water (directly or through wholesale) to a population less than 50,000 will have the assessment done by the Division. The Division encourages both large and small surface water systems to create partnerships with each other and the Division in order to conduct assessment of common regional watersheds.

(3) Components of a Source Water Assessment Plan. A SWAP shall consist of four parts:

(a) The delineation of the area in proximity to the water well(s) or surface water intake(s) shall consist of:

1. At a minimum, a zone equivalent to the outer management zone of a wellhead protection area for water wells.

2. At a minimum, the upstream surface drinking water intake catchment area portions of the watershed as defined in the SWAP Implementation Plan.

(b) The water system shall inventory the potential pollution sources of natural and manmade origin within the area delineated in (a) above. The inventory will include the potential pollution sources as defined in the SWAP Implementation Plan.

(c) The water system shall carry out an assessment of the potential pollution sources' impact within the areas described by (a) above, on the raw water that may reach the water well(s) or surface water intake(s). Assessments for surface water intakes are to follow the guidance published in the SWAP Implementation Plan.

(d) The water system shall prepare a comprehensive SWAP report describing items (a), (b) and (c) above and submit the report to the Division for review and approval. The water system will make this report available to the public.

(1) Use of Wellhead Protection Plans. Public groundwater systems may use their prepared Wellhead Protection Plans and Vulnerability Assessments to satisfy the Source Water Assessment requirements.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-5-.42

Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-5-170 et seq.

Original Rule entitled "Final Action on Variance/Exemption Request" adopted. F. July 5, 1977; eff. July 26, 1977, as specified by R. 391-3-5-.47. Repealed: F. May 12, 1989; eff. June 1, 1989. Amended: New Rule entitled "Source Water Assessment" adopted. F. Sept. 29, 2000; eff. Oct. 19, 2000. Amended: New title "Source Water Assessment. Amended." F. Jan. 8, 2014; eff. Jan. 28, 2014.