Water District
Source
Protection
Plan
2018 Update
Author and updates by: Marc Maheux
Table of Contents
April 7, 2018
This Source Protection Plan was developed as a requirement of the State of Vermont in 1996, by the water system operator, Marc Maheux. The plan is a study of potential contaminants within the Source Protection Area. It also includes high hazard contaminants in proximity. There were state regulations followed to design the plan. This plan is designed to assess and manage existing and future risks.
In the process of developing the plan, several steps were taken. They went from brainstorming on paper to mailing several notices and other informational papers to land owners within the plan area.
The plan was started with an electronic parcel map of Underhill and Jericho. Using a software package called Mapinfo ver. 6.0, the electronic parcel map was imported and the map was created using the layers from the file. A layer on the map was digitized to show the Source Protection Area. The computer then, with a little help, attained all the parcels within the area.
A database was attained from the grand list file from the Town of Underhill and Jericho. The database lists owners by name, address, city, state, zip, x and y coordinates, so they will be referenced on the map.
The queried databases are imported, the form letters, surveys, and mailing list are developed.
A package is then sent out that includes a cover letter explaining why we were doing this, a survey, a colored detailed map showing the Source Protection Area and the parcels of land. Thirty surveys were returned. All but one home owner completed or was interviewed in Zone 2. The data from the surveys were compiled into an assessment and management section of potential contaminants. Additional research was gathered from the Hazardous Materials Division of the Department of Environmental Conservation and incorporated into this plan.
An informational letter and map are then sent out to local, regional, and state levels of government to inform them of the Source Protection Area. Their assistance is solicited in implementing this plan and bringing us into the review process.
As the different agencies change personnel, quite often I find it may be necessary to send the informational letters and an updated map to the various government agencies every three years.
The land owner data base along with the parcel map should be updated with the grand list and the map changed to reflect any subdivisions or change in current parcels every three years as required in the water supply rule. New information packages and a map should then be sent to the new land owners.
The purpose of this plan is to give people awareness about the factors that affect their water supply. Hopefully the continual updates on this plan will keep the water at good drinkable quality.
In 2014, new color orthophotos became available from the State and new maps were created. Contour lines showing topography were added in another map.
In February of 2015 a new parcel map and data were collected for the 2015 update. The land owner data was compared to 2011 land owner data. The board of trustees made a decision to do a direct mailing to new land owners in protection area 2. The compared databases showed that there were no new land owners. No information will be sent for this update.
In April of 2018 a new database from the town grand list was overlaid on the town parcel map with the District’s zone 3 whpa. All the property owners in zone 2 and 3 were queried. Then comparing the 2 databases from 2015 we found all the owners remained the same and the parcel count was 85 on both databases. Land use in the zone 3 WHPA. has remained the same.
2001 Update: During the 2001 source protection plan update nine land owners in zone 2 were interviewed and filled out a survey or questionnaire concerning possible sources of contamination They were also given a brochure titled “Think Oil & Water” and “Get the Facts” about septic systems. During the personal interview the protection of our drinking water was stressed to ensure quality for both the public system as well as theirs.
2005 Update: “Drinking Water Protection begins at Home” and “Source Water Awareness” information sheets were direct mailed to residents in protection area 2 and 3. A letter explaining the requirement and reason to update the source protection plan was also included.
2008 Update: “Drinking Water Protection begins at Home” and “Source Water Awareness” information sheets were direct mailed to residents in protection area 2 and 3. A letter explaining the requirement and reason to update the source protection plan was also included.
2011 Update: Residents in Zone 2 Protection Area remain the same. The landowners were contacted to review any changes in use and remind them of the source protection area.
2015 Update: Residents remain the same. All residents have been contacted in previous years. The residents in this zone are longtime residents and are quite familiar with the SPP and know they must be careful to protect this area.
2018 update: All owners the same as 2015 and use is consistent as other years.
2001 Update: The 2001 survey was completed and listed that about 5 tons of fertilizer is spread over 75 acres. A phone call was made to find out what type of fertilizer was used. The brand of fertilizer used is Agway; the type 10-20-10 and 14-28-28. These numbers relate respectively to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content.
Also this land owner uses some herbicides and pesticides when the crops are first started. These are applied according to recommended agricultural practices and are not consider a hazard at this time. As a control and as required by government regulations, the district tests for these substances periodically. Above ground fuel tanks were replaced in 1995. One tank holds 150 gals and the other holds 300 gals gas/fuel.
2005 Update: The land use has remained the same for this property. Although the owner was on vacation during the protection update, this landowner is aware of the source protection area. In past conversations, the owner has presented detailed sheets of name, and amounts of chemicals used on the land, to start the crops. The landowner does test his soil and applies fertilizer as necessary. He uses the extension service at UVM and applies “Best Management Practices.”
2008 Update: The land use remained the same for this property. Again the owner was on vacation during this update. The land owner is very careful to use “best management practices”, as determined from previous conversations.
2011 Update: The land use and owner remained the same for this property.
2015 Update: The land use and owner remains the same, owner was not contacted do to redundancy.
2018 Update: The owner was contacted and a review of use on this property was conducted.
2001 Update: During the 2001 update, the landowner indicated on the survey form that approximately 250 lb. per acre of fertilizer is applied to the hay fields. The soil is tested for nitrogen and phosphate, and only the recommended amounts are applied. The brand was not known. The owners also indicate that there are not any storage tanks on the property.
2005 Update: A phone call confirmed no change in use. Fertilizer was not applied in 2004 and will only be applied if soil test shows a need in future years. Manure from farm animals is spread on the fields only during times of the year, as allowed by state law. “Best Management Practices” are applied.
2008 Update: A phone call reconfirmed that fertilizer is applied to the hay fields based on a soil test and “Best Management Practices” are applied. In 2007 no fertilizer was necessary. Any waste oil is disposed of in a waste oil furnace located off site.
2011 Update: The land use and owner remains the same for this property.
2015 Update: The land use remains the same with less livestock. The son has taken over the property and remains at the residents.
2018 Update: No changes to ownership or use.
2001 Update: The 2001 update revealed the same (an open lot).
2005 Update: The 2005 update revealed the same (an open lot)
2008 Update: The 2008 update revealed the same (an open lot)
2011 Update: The land remains the same (an open lot)
2015 Update: The land remains the same (an open lot)
2018 Update: The land remains the same (an open lot)
2001 Update: The 2001 update showed no changes in use. There still is a possibility of creating building lots, as indicated by the owner. If good practices are followed, there is the possibility that this development could be done without posing a threat to the district source.
2005 Update: The 2005 update showed an additional change in use. A little wood work shop was added and outside lawn furniture is sold during the summer. The owner has planted Christmas trees on the property. During the phone conversation the owner expressed that the use of fertilizer and or some pesticides may be necessary in the future to protect the trees. The owner will contact the state agriculture department for further information on “Best Management Practices.”
2008 Update: A phone conversation revealed the same practices with the addition of raspberries as a crop. Fertilizer has been added to the raspberries in the form of composted manure. Soil test are planned for spring of 2008 to determine if additional fertilizers will be necessary. As of this conversation, fertilizer and pesticides have not been used on the Christmas trees.
2011 Update: The land has been subdivided into a total of three lots. The parcels are owned by the same person as of this update. The parcels are as follows;
2015 Update: The subdivision has been completed as described above. A duplex has been built on the new parcel (RV054 a & b). The new owner is familiar with the source protection area and is connected to our water system.
2018 Update: Remains the same.
2018 Update: owner and use remain the same with the rental unit changing occupancy as tenants move in and out.
2001 Update: No change.
2005 Update: A phone call made to the land owner indicated a change in use. A blueberry patch has been added to a lower field. The blueberry patch is located within part of protection area 2 and extends into protection area 3. The landowner does test the soil and applies fertilizer as required to the blueberry patch. He was given the agriculture department phone number and the name of a person to contact with questions regarding the proper use of chemicals and fertilizer in the protection area.
2008 Update: A phone call made to the owner indicated the same use as in 2005. He did state that “Roundup” and “Lime Sulfur” are used. The Roundup is used to kill vegetation and the Lime Sulfur to kill a fungus on the blueberry plants.
2011 Update: The land use and owner remains the same for this property.
2015 Update: The land use and owner remains the same. The owner was not contacted do to redundancy.
2018 Update: The owner was contacted to review best management practices when using chemicals and fertilizer.
2005 Update: A phone call was made to the chair of the board informing them of the update. They are still aware of the wells and the importance of protecting them. Athletic fields will be added to the land in the future. The locations of the fields are outside of the protection area and should not pose a threat.
2008 Update: The land use has not changed. The athletic fields have been added and as a result there is more activity.
2011 Update: Land remains the same.
2015 Update: The land use and owner remains the same. The owner was not contacted do to redundancy.
2018 Update: Use remains the same.
2001 Update: A survey was filled out for the 2001 update. It revealed a 275 fuel oil tank in the basement. They also use a minimal amount of Jo Lawn fertilizer on their lawn.
2005 Update: The landowner was contacted by phone to discuss any changes to the land. He is still aware that he is in the source protection area and is cautious in the use of lawn fertilizer. He could not think of any other changes that have taken place.
2008 Update: Left a message to call if there were any changes to the septic system or any other items that may affect our water.
2011 Update: Window survey shows no changes.
2015 Update: The land use and owner remains the same. The owner was not contacted do to redundancy.
2018 Update: No change
2001 Update: The 2001 update listed on-site treatment and disposal of septic. A 275 gallon fuel tank is located in the basement.
2005 Update: This property has not changed in use. The owner is elderly and does not farm the land at this time. Basically the land is just idle.
2008 Update: Ownership has changed, however use remains the same at this time. Information will be sent to inform the new owners of the source protection area.
2011 Update: Window survey shows no changes.
2015 Update: The land use and owner remains the same. The owner was not contacted do to redundancy.
2018 Update: No change
2001 Update: All 86 property owners in Zones 1, 2 and 3 were mailed an information letter on source protection and brochure on the importance of maintaining septic systems and fuel storage tanks. Parcel Code MA002 remains in remediation; current reports indicate cleanup is on or ahead of schedule which means the hazard is lessening with time. The Underhill Town salt shed has been relocated and is now outside Zone 3. The situation at the cemetery is unchanged.
2005 Update: All property owners in protection area 2 and 3 were sent information. The information sent contained “Drinking Water Protection begins at Home” and “Source Water Awareness,” along with a cover sheet explaining why the District is updating the source protection plan.
2008 Update: All property owners in protection area 2 and 3 were sent information. The information sent contained “Drinking Water Protection begins at Home” and “Source Water Awareness,” along with a cover sheet explaining why the District is updating the source protection plan. After checking with ANR website (http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/cfm/ust/USTlist.cfm), only two hazardous waste sites were listed for Underhill. The site that may concern the source water is: 941710 - - - Wells Country Store - - - River Rd - - - Underhill - - Remediation has been completed, monitoring of drinking water supply wells and groundwater is ongoing. One supply well replaced. The report states that well monitoring is ongoing and remediation has been completed.
2011 Update: A mailing was sent to only people whose property has changed ownership from the 2008 - 2011 database. The letter and information was the same as the 2008 letter. Cost and usefulness was a concern as the owners have received several mailings over the years. UST and Hazmat sites are located on a map contained in this report. The data was gathered from VGIS website.
2015 Update: A new zoning administrator has been appointed. The source protection area has been discussed and our concerns for the different zones have been brought to her attention. A follow-up is planned when the SPP is completed.
2018 Update: Again we have another zoning – planning admin. I have sat down briefly to review the plan and made sure he had a digital map with the SSP zones.
There are closed landfill sites and one former open dump within zone 4. These are situated on a class 4 road (not maintained) and located on the zone 4 map. The area consists of wooded and residential parcels. Two underground storage tanks were listed with State Department of Environmental Conservation’s, Hazardous Materials Division. They serve Underhill Central School and the Moore Residence on Stevensville Road. Both tanks have been located on the underground storage tank map. The Underhill Zoning Administrator is aware of zone 4 and our concerns with permitting potentially high hazard land use in this area.
2001 Update: No zoning changes have occurred have occurred in Zone 4 since the last Plan. Zone 4 was not surveyed for this update. In March 2001 a representative of the District met with the Underhill Select Board to obtain an update on the status of the town garage and salt shed; and to make the Select Board aware of the District Source Protection Plan and its objective of protecting water quality for the District as well as those in the source protection area.
2005 Update: After checking with Agency of Natural Resources underground storage tank and hazardous waste sites map, we have no major concerns with protection area 4. We expect the residential build out to occur over many years with no impact on our source water.
2008 Update: Refer to zone 3, 2008 Update regarding hazmat sites. We expect the residential build out to occur over many years with no impact on our source water.
2011 Update: UST and Hazmat point are located on the map and in the database. There is no need for any action in this protection area for this update.
2015 Update: No further action is necessary in this zone. The new zoning administrator is aware of our minimal concerns as zoning restricts use in this area.
2018 Update: No further action is necessary in this zone. Zoning admin has been made a where of the large area of town this covers.
April 7, 2018
!!!! STOP!!!!
THINK BEFORE TAKING ACTION
Note: if the water system has become contaminated DO NOT DRAIN THE
STORAGE TANK the tank may contain hazardous material and proper disposal
methods, need be used. Contact Hazardous Materials Division of Natural
Resources Department of the State of Vermont.
Continued communications with the various boards and commissions are one of the most important parts of this plan. Hopefully the Water Supply Division of DEC. and our water district board will be made aware, in a timely manner, of any planned land use within our "Source Protection Area"
http://maps.vermont.gov/ANR/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=NaturalResourcesAtlas&LayerTheme=13
Section
Contains
Sent
To
Protection Area
2 and 3
JERICHO-UNDERHILL WATER DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 174
UNDERHILL, VERMONT 05489
SAMPLE NAME
SAMPLE STREET ADDRESS
UNDERHILL, VT, 05489
For property SAMPLE
Dear SAMPLE NAME ,
I am writing on behalf of the Jericho-Underhill Water District Board of Trustees to advise you of the ongoing research we are doing to plan and protect one of our valuable resources, our water source. You are receiving this information because you live within our water source protection area.
One of the Vermont State requirements for a permit to operate a water system is a “Source Protection Plan”. Part of the plan is to delineate a “Source Protection Area”. This was done for us by a Hydrogeologist at the time the well was constructed.
The State is requiring us to define “Potential Sources of Contamination” within our Source Protection Area and to work with the land owners to educate them on possible sources of contamination. For example, how ground water becomes contaminated, and what can be done to prevent contamination.
We are in the process of doing our third update. The update is done every 3 years, with new ideas and ways to prevent water contamination. This will help keep our water safe to drink and avoid the high cost of trying to find a new uncontaminated source. By working together we can protect our district’s water supply and your water supply as well. We will do our best to inform you of any potential contaminants which may contribute to polluting the ground water.
At this time we are in the process of updating our information on the potential sources of contamination within our Source Protection Area. Please take a moment now to look over the enclosed information.
We ask for your cooperation in helping us to accomplish our goal of protecting all of our water sources. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Marc Maheux at 899-3810 or visit our web site at http://jerichounderhillwater.org
Thank you for your anticipated interest in protecting one of our valuable resources, our drinking water.
Sincerely:
Marc Maheux
System Operator
Enclosures: “Drinking Water Protection begins at Home”
“Source Water Awareness”
cc: Joe O’Brien, President
Jason Ritter, Trustee
Steve Jennings, Trustee