2009 Issue

14 warning mechanism such that groundwater is not substantially degraded before correctivemeasures are initiated; non-duplication of other regulatory programs on a common basis for measurement of performance; allow set- ting priorities of effort so as to focus resources on significant groundwater problems; and provide methods for achieving and maintaining compliance by the regulated community. At the outset, the need to focus on prevention within the program was recognized. The high cost and sometimes questionable effectiveness of groundwater remediation programs together with their resource inten- sity directed the effort to focus on prevention. Prevention of groundwater contamination requires public awareness, preventative efforts and early detection of potential problems. As part of Utah’s groundwater protection program a major effort will be directed to the development of increased public awareness of the need to prevent groundwater contamination. The regulation, on the other hand addresses both preventative efforts and early detection. The need to use a widely accepted scientifically based set of standards was met by the reliance on the federal drinking water standards. In addition the federal drinking water standards are used throughout the states and territories in determining whether drinking water meets safety and aesthetic standards. In the future EPAwill be developing standards for other pollutants that may be present in drinking water. These standards for groundwater pro- tection will enable Utah to address other pollutants that could be discharged to groundwater. Classification of groundwater permits differential protection of ground- water with the most stringent standards applied to the highest quality groundwater. The classification is determined by the total dissolved solids (TDS) content and the presence of pollutants. Themajor TDS limits are widely used in state and federal regulatory water quality programs. The lower limit of the pristine water class corresponds to the federal drinking water standard for TDS. The lower limit of protection levels provides the means for early warning and differential protection. Protection levels are set as a percent- age of the groundwater quality standard or background concentration so that problems can be recognized, addressed and corrected before the standard is exceeded. If the contamination concentration increases above the protection level, corrective steps must be taken. The protection levels are more rigorous for the higher quality groundwater and less so for the lower quality. The rule also includes a permit by rule. Those activities and facilities covered by the permit by rule are deemed to have discharges that are innocuous, insignificant, or regulated by other State agencies. There is no duplication of regulatory requirements through permit by rule as long as a basis for measurement and performance is established. Future Challenges Groundwater quality and quantity issues need to be addressed better through integration of surface and groundwater program elements. Fur- ther hydrogeologic mapping and groundwater monitoring networks are also essential to understand, manage and protect the State’s groundwater resources. Funding sources for these activities need to be explored. Since local planning efforts affect groundwater quantity and quality in the end, importance of groundwater component in planning effort should not be overlooked. Mr. Damery, a graduate in geophysics of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blackburg, Virginia, has been associated with the Utah Division of Water Quality for twenty years as an environmental scientist in groundwater protection program. Mr. Bhayani, alumnus of Universities of Mumbai, Mumbai, India, and Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, holdsMasters degrees in Public Health, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and is associated with the Utah Division of Water Quality as an engineering GROUNDWATER — continued from page 13