WHPA delineation in Rhode Island: Development and statewide application of methodologies. [WellHead Protection Area]
- Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management, Providence, RI (United States)
Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPAs) were delineated for all 525 public drinking water wells in Rhode Island by RI Department of Environmental Management hydrogeology staff. WHPA delineation is an element of the EPA-approved Rhode Island Wellhead Protection Program (RIWHPP), which is designed to protect areas contributing groundwater to public drinking water wells. For resource protection to proceed, legally defensible WHPAs were needed which could be quickly delineated. The authors incorporated input and feedback from a technical subcommittee in developing Rhode Island WHPA delineation methodologies. Comprehensive databases were compiled, which included well parameters and associated aquifer characteristics. More complex delineation techniques were applied to large-capacity wells (average discharge greater than 10 gpm) than to smaller wells. WHPAs for the smaller wells were limited to a 1750-foot-radius circle based on average characteristics of small bedrock wells in Rhode Island. For the large wells, WHPAs consisted of a combination of analytical modelling and hydrogeologic mapping. The Theis equation was used to map the downgradient WHPA boundary for large wells finished in bedrock. The uniform flow equation was used to calculate the downgradient portion of the WHPA for large wells finished in stratified drift. The upgradient boundary for all large wells was delineated using hydrogeologic mapping based on a technique modified from a USGS method. These WHPAs are being provided to municipalities and public water suppliers, who will use them to carry out the other elements of the RIWHPP, such as pollution source inventories, contingency planning, and management approaches.
- OSTI ID:
- 5601389
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-921058--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 24:7; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
AQUIFERS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DRINKING WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RHODE ISLAND
USA
WATER
WATER WELLS
WELLS