15A NCAC 07H .0406. PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WELL FIELDS

(a)  Description.  Public water supply well fields are areas of well‑drained sands that extend downward from the surface into the shallow ground water table which supplies the public with potable water.  These surficial well fields are confined to a readily definable geographic area as identified by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources with assistance and support from affected local governments.

(b)  Use Standards.  Development within these AEC's shall be consistent with the following minimum standards:

(1)           No ground absorption sewage disposal or subsurface pollution injection systems shall be placed within the designated AEC boundary except to replace systems existing as of July 24, 1987;

(2)           Development shall not significantly limit the quality or quantity of the public water supply or the amount of rechargeable water;

(3)           The development shall not cause salt water intrusion or result in the discharge of toxic or soluble contaminants into standing or groundwater; and

(4)           Groundwater absorption sewage treatment systems may also be used within the AEC boundary if each of the following provisions are met:

(A)          the system is serving development on a lot that was platted of record as of July 24, 1987;

(B)          there is no other economically viable method of waste treatment for the permittable development of such lot;

(C)          there is no space outside the boundaries of the AEC on the lot upon which the treatment system could be located; and

(D)          the Division of Environmental Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, prior to the CAMA permit decision, reviews and approves the proposed  system as complying with existing rules.

(c)  Designated public water supply well field.  The CRC has designated the following as a public water supply well field which shall be subject to the use standards as set out in Paragraph (b) of this Rule:

(1)           Cape Hatteras Well Field.  The County of Dare is supplied with raw water from a well field located south of N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island between Frisco and Buxton.  The area of environmental concern is bounded by a line located 1,000 feet from the centerlines of three tracts.  The first tract is identified as "well field" on maps entitled "Cape Hatteras Wellfield Area of Environmental Concern" approved by the Coastal Resources Commission on July 24, 1987, and extends approximately 12,000 feet west from Water Association Road.  The second tract is conterminous with the first tract, is identified as "future well field" on said maps and extends approximately 8,000 feet to the east of Water Association Road.  The third tract is identified as "future well field" on said maps and extends approximately 6,200 feet along the National Park Service boundary east of Water Association Road.  The aquifer beneath the tracts serves as the sole source of drinking water for the communities of Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras as well as the national seashore recreation area.  The wetlands, swales, and surface waters adjacent to the well field provide a large source of recharge and are a potential vehicle for contaminants.  Due to these facts contamination of the water supply could have an adverse effect on people other than the local residents of Hatteras Island.  Water‑borne disease organisms could be easily transported to other areas of the state or the east coast by tourists who are attracted to the area daily.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113A‑107(a); 113A‑107(b); 113A‑113(b)(3)a.; 113A‑124;

Eff. September 9, 1977;

Amended Eff. December 1, 1997; April 1, 1995; May 1, 1990; October 1, 1987;

November 1, 1984.