Wellhead Protection Plan Webinar Series
Thursdays @ 11:00 am, March 12 – April 2, 2015
WEBINAR SERIES:
March 12: General overview of WHP Planning Process
March 19: In depth discussion and review of the Data Elements
March 26: Requirements for completing a Potential
Contaminant Source Inventory
April 2:
Developing well written Management Strategies
ALL WEBINARS ARE BEING RECORDED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT:
www.mrwa.com/sourcewater.html
Refer to the “Best Practices for Attending the WHP
Webinars using WebEx” sent to you Feb. 20th or
available on MRWA website for screen sizing &
directions for submittal of questions using WebEx Chat.
 Technical problems / questions can be submitted via
WebEx chat and staff will respond to try and help resolve
any technical problems as we get started.
 Webinar questions can be submitted during the session
via WebEx Chat and will be answered at the end of each
webinar.
 Materials for each webinar are available at:
www.mrwa.com/sourcewater.html

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Why have a PCSI Webinar?

Importance of the PCSI

Requirements for a WHP Plan PCSI

Process and Procedures for
Completing a PCSI

Technical Assistance Tools to Help
4
ANSWER THE QUESTION…
“What do I need to do to
successfully complete a PCSI
for MDH approval?
Clearer
Expectations…!
Picture Source: 2007 mongabay.com
Other Really Good Reasons….

Most Common Reason for plan disapprovals by MDH
Lost Time & Resources: PWS – Consultant - MDH

MDH / Consultants share common goal to improve the
process & service to mutual our client the PWS.

Clarify WHP Rule Requirements / Expectations for
completing a PCSI

Explain MDH procedures for PCSI review & endorsement
.”
Cornerstone of a
WHP Plan!
WHP is proactive
planning based on
science and real
threats…
Eruption Cloud April 21, 1990. Mount Redoubt,
Alaska. (Photo public domain courtesy of USGS.)
PCSI is based on the
vulnerability of the aquifer
and public supply wells.
Identify potential contaminant
threats / land uses in the WHP
area that may impact drinking
water & public health!
The PCSI helps the public water supplier
“gauge risk”
and “threats” and evaluate how
to manage risk through the planning process.
PCSI Insomnia…
What threats keep you up at night?
What lurks out there that might
or could happen? Have you
covered all the right bases?
The PCSI Doctor says…
PCSI Diligence:
Ask questions about
local PCS threats…
Follow the Science /
PCSI Scoping Notice
& requirements!
Double check work!
Local Knowledge
Matters!
Local WHP Team
Helps Complete PCSI
PCSI Draft Complete:
1. Local review &
approval
2. MDH PCSI
endorsement

Potential contaminant sources & land uses that present
a threat to drinking water & public health are identified!

WHP Management strategy options can be evaluated &
developed that reduce

risks to drinking water.
Resources
for WHP are directed in a cost
effective
manner…staff, time, money!
.”

WHP Rule Language

Understanding the Relationship to Vulnerability

Scoping 2 Decision Notice

Potential Contaminant Source Lists
 Potential Contaminant Sources (PCS) & Attributes
 Required Materials Designations & Codes
 Required Status Designations & Codes

WHP Planning Issues Summary

A map and an inventory of the current and historical
agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial,
recreational, and institutional land uses and potential
contaminant sources…


Vulnerability guides the level and depth of a PCSI
Not all PCSIs are created equal !
Commonly Inventoried…
 Low = other wells

Moderate = other wells and chemical & petroleum
storage tanks
High = all land uses &
potential contaminant sources


Scoping 2 Decision Notice

Attachments:
◦ Potential Contaminant Source Inventory List
(based on vulnerability)
 PCS & codes
 Materials & codes
 Status & codes
◦ Summary of WHP Planning Issues

Provides the “big picture view” of land use in the
DWSMA
Inner Wellhead Management Zone

Specific to Vulnerability

Attached to Scoping 2 Decision Notice

Lists all the planning issues that have been identified to
date




List the data sets reviewed and assessed
Describe methods used to verify and enhance raw data
Discuss who helped conduct the PCSI
Describe how local knowledge was used

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

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
A land use/land cover map and table
An inventory of the Inner Wellhead Management Zone(s)
A list of all potential contaminant sources in the DWSMA
Required attribute data for each PCS identified
A map showing the locations of all PCS
A narrative describing how the PCSI was conducted

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
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Early informal feedback on PCSI to PWS & Consultants
Done at or before 60-day LUG review
Complete PCSI package is submitted to planning & GIS
staff
WHP Rule data reporting requirements are met
Electronic PCSI are submitted
to MDH

Facility designations and codes are
no longer required

Status designations and codes
must be used

Required attributes must be used

A PCSI Narrative should be
submitted

PCSI Endorsement Procedures
should be followed
.”
Setting the Stage:
Where are you in the PCSI
and
WHP Planning Process?
Has the Scoping II Meeting been
held yet?
Significance: If you have been
hired to complete the Part II, WHP
Plan, we recommend you attend to
learn about the PCSI and other
requirements / issues related to
the Part II WHP Plan.
Helpful Hint!
This is also a good time to talk
about number of WHP Team
Meetings needed to do the Part II
WHP Plan.
Scoping II Notice – Sent to PWS after scoping meeting:
1) Identifies vulnerability & requirements for Part II, WHP Plan
2) Includes required “PCS Inventory list.”
What to inventory…
3) Includes “Planning Issues Summary Form.”
What issues were
identified by MDH /
MRWA staff that should
be considered in Part II?
Pre-PCSI Meeting
Purpose: Meeting held with PWS,
Consultant & MRWA or MDH
Technical Assistance Planner (TAP)
to coordinate & discuss completion
of the PCSI.
How Complex is the PCSI? Consider
time needed to complete...
PCSI Tools: Identify data sets,
information needed to be reviewed
and considered in completing the
PCSI based on the vulnerability.
PCSI TIPS
5) Involve WHP
Team in review
of PCSI!
Historical Photo’s
to locate former
wells or other PCS
Main Street Dodge Center, MN 1908
Photo Courtesy of MN History Center
Courtesy of Geoff Nash, SWP Unit, MDH
Courtesy of Geoff Nash, SWP Unit, MDH
Hinckley DWMSA (WIMN) Tank Sites Map
Note: Also See MPCA Tanks database for specific tank information
Other Datasets & PCSI Resources:
 Local Information: PWS system hook-up information,
storm water, septic system, feedlot information, etc.
 Pipelines
 Transportation Routes / Railways – possible spill locations
 MDA - Agriculture spills / release database
 Other - State / Federal / Local Databases & Information
.”
The consultant should verify that:
 the correct data, information was
used to complete the PCSI (See
Scoping II)
 New PCS attributes were used &
status codes are complete
 Historical information and land
uses were considered in the PCSI
 To the extent practical, local
knowledge was used to verify and
complete the PCSI.
Apollo 11, July 20, 1969. Lunar
Module Eagle Landing. Buzz Aldrin
steps on Moon. Image Courtesy NASA
PCSI Considerations for the WHP
Team, Part II WHP Plan &
Management Strategies:
 What are the important implications &
issues of the PCSI to protecting the
PWS wells, aquifer & public health?
 How can the PCSI best be applied to
Lunar Orbit Photo: Moon
Crater 308. Image Courtesy
NASA
reduce real risks and threats to drinking
water?
 How can / will management strategies
be prioritized and targeted?
Last Steps!
1) WHP Team reviews &
approves PCSI
2) Submit the PCSI to the
MDH, MRWA Planner.
3) Submit PCSI electronic
files to MDH GIS staff
4) PCSI reviewed &
endorsed by MDH, MRWA
staff (See MDH PCSI Endorsement
Procedures Fact Sheet, April 2015)
Orion’s first Flight test December 4,
2014. Goal: Mars and Deep Space
Image Courtesy NASA
.”
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Old Municipal Well Reports
Assist PWS in updating IWMZ
Provide IWMZ Reports to PWS & Consultant
Provide Land use/Land cover Map and Table
Provide Well Data; upon request



MDH Planner
MRWA Planner
MDH GIS Staff

April 2: Developing well written Management Strategies
Reminder: All Webinars are being recorded and will be
available at:
www.mrwa.com/sourcewater.html
Information in this document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities upon
request by calling or emailing George Minerich at (320) 223-7314 or email at
George.Minerich@state.mn.us