Title
Environmental Management Department (EMD) requesting the Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of said Department to execute and submit an application and all necessary documentation to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to secure grant funding in an amount up to $70,000 for a term of one year to enhance the EMDs capacity for environmental and public health surveillance of unregulated drinking water supplies.
FUNDING: Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Resolution 119-2011
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
|
$ |
|
|
|
Funding |
|
|
Budgeted |
$ |
|
New Funding |
$ 70,000.00 |
|
Savings |
$ |
|
Other |
$ |
|
Total Funding Available |
$ 70,000.00 |
|
Change To Net County Cost |
|
$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no change in Net County Cost. No matching contribution is required for this grant.
Background: El Dorado County has required proof of water for land development since the early 1970s and has permitted domestic well drilling on individual parcels since 1990. In cases where wells are the source of water, the permitting process ensures adequate well production for domestic use. However, it does not provide a mechanism for the verification of the safety and quality of well water.
The project funded by this grant will enable the Environmental Management Department to better understand and monitor the quality of well water in the County, and to develop a database and map of water supply issues as required by the County General Plan (see General Plan Policies below). This will assist our citizens and public health officials in promoting safe drinking water and better public health.
General Plan Policies:
5.2.3.3 The County shall develop and maintain a map and database of private well water production and other appropriate information.
5.2.3.6 The County shall assess and analyze the well data gained since the permit process started in 1990. Such data should be used to identify areas of likely groundwater supply limitations. At the completion of this analysis period, the County should determine if the General Plan uses within the areas of water supply limitation are compatible with identifiable supply limitations and modify the General Plan uses, if necessary.
The Environmental Management Department will obtain information from several sources, such as the County of El Dorado Public Health Laboratory, well drilling permits, new subdivision proposals, existing small regulated water system information, the State of California Water Resources Control Board, the USGS Gama Project (domestic well sampling), and property owners that have sampled their water supply. The information will be input into a central database and County Surveyors Office will be commissioned to map the water information. The data will then be made available to the public via the County's website.
This project will give the public health officials and the public information on the quality and quantity of unregulated domestic well water in El Dorado County.
Reason for Recommendation: If awarded the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds will provide the Environmental Management Department, Public Health Officials and the public with an overview of possible health concerns and water availability issues related to well water sources throughout the County.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Upon execution by the Chair, the Board Clerks Office will forward the resolution to Environmental Management for submittal with the grant application.
Contact: Gerri Silva, MS, REHS, Director of Environmental Management