State Gets First Regulated Groundwater Recharge Area
On September 1
For Immediate Release
August 30, 2001 |
Contact: Joan Muraro
217-785-7209
TDD: 217-782-9143 |
Springfield, Ill. -- Effective September 1, Illinois will officially
have its first regulated recharge area, a defined area with specific regulations
in place to protect vital groundwater resources. The Pleasant Valley Public
Water District, in Peoria County, actively sought the designation for
the area contributing groundwater to its public water supply wells.
IEPA Director Renee Cipriano praised the district's leadership for their
pro-active approach to protecting the drinking water supply. "Establishment
of the Pleasant Valley regulated recharge area took patience and hard
work. A number of factors make these water resources highly vulnerable
to possible contamination, but individuals and groups at the local and
state level working together have taken that extra step to see their groundwater
will remain clean and safe. They are to be congratulated on their foresight."
The Illinois EPA developed the Pleasant Valley Regulated Recharge Area
proposal in consultation with the Groundwater Advisory Council, a governor-appointed
citizen group established to "review, evaluate and make recommendations
regarding state laws, regulations and procedures that relate to groundwater
protection." The Illinois EPA also sought and received significant advice
from the Central Priority Groundwater Protection Planning Region Committee,
a broad-based local government and citizen group. The designation, authorized
under the state's Groundwater Protection Act (GPA), was adopted by the
Illinois Pollution Control Board on July 26.
The regulations prohibit the siting, within a regulated recharge area,
of any new special or hazardous waste landfills, class V injection wells
(wells that are used to dispose of drainage water and certain other liquid
wastes) or low level radioactive waste sites. They also specify certain
technology control regulations for activities within 2,500 feet of wellheads
and within a regulated recharge area. Specified new potential pollution
sources must prepare recharge area suitability assessments for review
and approval by the Agency prior to commencement of operations. The Illinois
Department of Public Health and the Department of Natural Resources are
authorized to develop an assistance program for abandoned and improperly
plugged water supply wells.
The regulations also require the registration with the Illinois EPA of
the location of new sources of potential groundwater contamination. The
Illinois EPA is directed to hold an informational and registration meeting
during September 2001. Owners of some potential sources must develop and
implement systems for chemical substance management and attend training
programs to be conducted by the Illinois EPA.
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