11.50.110 Critical aquifer recharge areas

11.50.110 Critical aquifer recharge areas.

(1) The CARAs are depicted in the most recently updated CARA map developed by Yakima County through a geographic information system (GIS) analysis using the methodology outlined in the Washington Department of Ecology "Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Guidance Document" (Publication No. 05-10-028, or as revised). This map depicts the general location of the critical aquifer recharge areas. All applications for development within the city that are located within a mapped CARA will be required to follow the performance standards of this chapter. The CARA map estimates areas of moderate, high and extreme susceptibility to contamination, in addition to wellhead protection areas. To characterize hydrogeologic susceptibility of the recharge area to contamination, the GIS analysis used the following physical characteristics:

(A) Depth to groundwater;

(B) Soil (texture, permeability, and contaminant attenuation properties);

(D) Recharge (amount of water applied to the land surface, including precipitation and irrigation).

(2) Wellhead Protection Areas. The CARA map includes those wellhead protection areas for which the county has maps. The city of Selah maintains a map of wellhead protection area locations. Wellhead protection areas are required for all Class A public water systems in the state of Washington. The determination of a wellhead protection area is based upon the time of travel of a water particle from its source to the well. Water purveyors collect site-specific information to determine the susceptibility of the water source to surface sources of contamination. Water sources are ranked by the Washington State Department of Health with a high, moderate or low susceptibility to surface contamination. Wellhead protection areas are defined by the boundaries of the ten-year time of groundwater travel, in accordance with WAC 246-290-135. For purposes of this chapter, all wellhead protection areas shall be considered highly susceptible.

(b) Designation. The city of Selah adopts those aquifer recharge areas within the city identified by Yakima County, both present and in the future. CARAs are areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water, including areas where an aquifer that is a source of drinking water is vulnerable to contamination that would affect the potability of the water, or is susceptible to reduced recharge, as defined by WAC 365-190-030(3). CARAs have prevailing geologic conditions associated with infiltration rates that create a high potential for contamination of groundwater resources or contribute significantly to the replenishment of groundwater. The following areas have been identified based on local conditions:

(1) Wellhead Protection Areas. Wellhead protection areas shall be defined by the boundaries of the ten-year time of groundwater travel, or boundaries established using alternate criteria approved by the Department of Health in those settings where groundwater time of travel is not a reasonable delineation criterion, in accordance with WAC 246-290-135.

(2) Special Protection Areas. Special protection areas are those defined by WAC 173-200-090.

(c) Performance Standards. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter and the requirements of the underlying land use zoning, the following minimum standards shall apply to development activities within and adjacent to aquifer recharge areas:

(1) Development activities within an aquifer recharge area shall be designed, developed and operated in a manner that will not potentially degrade groundwater resources nor adversely affect the recharging of the aquifer.

(2) A hydrogeologic study and/or ongoing monitoring may be required to access impacts of development activities on groundwater resources.

(3) All proposed activities within aquifer recharge areas must comply with the water source protection requirements of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Yakima County Health District.

(4) On-site storm water facilities shall be designed and installed in all aquifer recharge areas, so as to provide both detention and treatment of all runoff associated with the development.

(5) All development occurring within aquifer recharge areas shall be required to connect to city sewer and water systems, and on-site sewage disposal shall be prohibited except as may be approved by city council and permitted by the Yakima County Health District.

(6) Landfills, junkyards/salvage yards, mining, wood treatment facilities, or any other activity that could impair the recharge of a critical aquifer recharge area is not permitted within areas of high or moderate recharge potential unless in accordance with applicable zoning regulations, and, provided the applicant can satisfactorily demonstrate that potential negative impacts to groundwater can be prevented.

(7) All storage tanks, whether above or underground, shall be required to be constructed so as to be protected against corrosion for the operational life of the tank, to prevent any release of hazardous substances to the ground, groundwaters, or surface waters, and to utilize appropriate containment methods.

(8) Any agricultural activities conducted within aquifer recharge areas shall incorporate best management practices concerning waste disposal, fertilizer/pesticide/herbicide use, and stream corridor management. If necessary, applicants shall seek technical assistance from the North Yakima County Conservation District or the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Office.

(9) Application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer within aquifer recharge areas shall comply with timing and rates specified on product packaging.

(10) Vehicle repair and servicing activities must be conducted over impermeable pads and within covered structures capable of withstanding normally expected weather conditions. Chemicals used in the process of vehicle repair and servicing must be stored in a manner that protects them from weather and provides containment should leaks occur. No dry wells shall be allowed in CARAs on sites used for vehicle repair and servicing. Dry wells existing on the site prior to facility establishment must be abandoned using techniques approved by the State Department of Ecology prior to commencement of the proposed activity.

(d) Use of Reclaimed Water for Surface Percolation or Direct Recharge. Water reuse projects for reclaimed water must be in accordance with the adopted water or sewer comprehensive plans that have been approved by the State Departments of Ecology and Health.

(1) Use of reclaimed water for surface percolation must meet the groundwater recharge criteria given in RCW 90.46.010(15) and 90.46.080. The State Department of Ecology may establish additional discharge limits in accordance with RCW 90.46.080(2).

(2) Direct injection must be in accordance with the standards developed by authority of RCW 90.46.042. (Ord. 2124, § 2 (Att.), 2021.)