Some of the wells in Eastsound show elevated nitrate levels – and local utility and health officials want to know why.
Results from a new groundwater monitoring project were presented at the Eastsound Planning and Review Commission at its March 5 meeting. The study is a collaboration between Eastsound Water Users Association, San Juan County and the Eastsound Sewer District.
This past year, 12 wells were monitored for contaminants and water levels, EWUA general manager Paul Kamin said. Data was checked three times since the project began. Additional information will be “downloaded” in April and the monitoring will continue for years to come.
“The groundwater sample test results indicate troubling nitrate levels. However, the good news is that the potential recharge and capacity of groundwater is higher than expected, and sufficient to supply EWUA full water rights,” Kamin said. He added that one year of data is not conclusive.
“Nitrates above the level of one (mg/l) are not natural, and the Blanchard area of Eastsound is showing numbers consistently over five and spiking to nearly seven,” he continued. The EPA maximum for contaminate levels is 10.
Excess levels of nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby” disease, but don’t seem to pose a threat to older children or adults. However, high levels can indicate the possible presence of other contaminants such as bacteria or pesticides.
Kamin says hydrogeoloists studying the problem believe the source is most likely a high density of private septic systems in that region.
EWUA has submitted water samples for caffeine testing. The presence of caffeine in the wells would link nitrates to the septic system. Results from the $800 worth of testing will be available in a few weeks.
The Eastsound Sewer and Water District is working to connect those properties to its sewer system, which would help keep the wastewater from impacting the groundwater supply.
“So far, ESWD has been met with some understandable resistance from homeowners,” said Kamin. The price tag of hooking up could run between $8,000 and $12,000.
The next steps in the program is to continue monitoring wells and testing samples, and to identify the areas of Eastsound that are most important in supporting aquifer recharge.
The association is also expanding the network of monitored wells to further evaluate the risks of saltwater intrusion.
“A contaminated aquifer would be devastating for the community. This groundwater capacity is our most cost effective water source, and it is in the community’s best interest to protect it,” Kamin said.
The water resources study was funded by a grant from the Department of Ecology, which provided SJC five years of start-up funds for watershed planning that end in 2009. San Juan County and EWUA hope to receive an additional grant from the state to continue the monitoring program.
The San Juan County Water Resource Committee will hold a public meeting in April to report on the groundwater monitoring program results and present the caffeine test data.
The EPRC also heard from senior planner Colin Maycock on the status of a Country Corner Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development. After two public meetings, Maycock says it is not clear if the community wants one or not.
The next meeting will be March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Station.
In other county planning news, Eastsound is very close to being compliant with the Growth Management Act. The growth hearings board recently rejected approval because of a provision that linked a sewer line to the potential LAMIRD area. The county will amend the plan to remove all references to that sewer line and resubmit it to hearings board, possibly by the end of April.
The planning department is currently writing an EPA Smart Growth grant, which would provide money to small communities for managing growth responsibly.
