raspberry falls dangers of water wells in limestone karst geology-final
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Raspberry Falls Community
Ferry Road, in Loudoun County, Virginia206 approved 4-‐6 bedroom homesPublic Golf Course communityNow served by a single well shared with Public Golf Course
Contact People:Holly Krauss [email protected] Zuckerman [email protected]
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The Raspberry Falls Development is approximately1 mile away from the Town of Leesburg limits
3-‐D Image of Limestone GeologyIssues Specific to Water Wells Located in Limestone Geology Because surface water can rapidly enter into the groundwater system and move quickly through channels created in the limestone rock, private drinking water wells located in karst aquifers are more susceptible to contamination than those in other types of aquifers. http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2353#issues
Types of Pollution that can Influence Limestone Geology Water WellsBecause of the rapid transport of water from the ground surface in karst terrain, there is a high risk of pollution. Streams and surface runoff that enter sinkholes or caves bypass the natural filtration through the soil and provide a direct conduit for contaminants to enter the groundwater. Because groundwater in karst aquifers travels quickly, contaminants can be transmitted quickly to wells and other drinking water sources in the areas connected to that aquifer.
Two main types of pollution that can influence karst geology water wells. Nonpoint-‐source PollutionNonpoint-‐source pollution comes from a widely distributed source, and is not easily identified. It's also called "runoff pollution." Types of nonpoint-‐source pollution can include:-‐Runoff from golf courses, roads, and parking lots -‐Soil washed from farm fields & construction sites -‐Animal waste from feedlots -‐Waste from failing [septic] drainfields -‐Pesticides from lawns -‐Trash dumped in sinkholes, and -‐Fertilizers
Point-‐Source Pollution Point-‐source pollution enters into the groundwater supply or aquifer through an easily identified distinct location through a distinct route. Most of the pollution that enters karst aquifers will be from nonpoint-‐source pollution; however, there are some instances where pollution may occur from point-‐source pollution. Potential types of point-‐source pollution that may occur are:-‐Wastewater -‐Leaking fuel storage tanks
Abandoned wells, old hand-‐dug farm wells, and cisterns often represent direct connections between the surface and the karst aquifer. Abandoned wells should be properly plugged with clean rock (in the water zone) and sand-‐cement grout (to the surface) to prevent runoff from migrating directly to the groundwater. 1/24/2011 3
Water Source
Distribution System
Treatment
Chlorine Disinfection by injection of Sodium Hypochlorite prior to
storage
Pumps, Pump Facilities, and Controls
Raspberry Falls Community Water SystemDIAGRAM OF TREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
Undersized 40,000 gal Storage Tank
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Bacterial Contamination Spikes 2008-‐2009 Raspberry Falls Primary Community Well #2
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To our Delegates of the Virginia General AssemblyFrom the Raspberry Falls Community, Leesburg, VirginiaDraft Amendment to 15.2-‐2110 of the Virginia Code
"D. If any component well in an existing community water system, which has more than 50 connections to individual residences and is located in a karst geology area of the Commonwealth, is found to have been determined by the Virginia Department of Health to have Groundwater Under the Direct Influence Of Surface Water ("GUDI") contamination or to be the source of non potable water, or to pose any threat of contraction or spread of any infectious, contagious or dangerous disease, or to have failed in any other way and further, if any water main or other source for a Municipal System piped water supply is located within 3 miles of a community with a GUDI or failed component well as defined above, then in the interests of public health, safety and welfare, all users and/or the service provider operator of such existing community water system shall be entitled to connect to said water main or Municipal System source of piped public water to the community. Said users and/or the service provider operator of the existing community water system may be charged a reasonable fee for the connection to the water main or the Municipal System, comparable to such fees charged to other users. If the service provider operator of the community water system and the operator or owner of the Municipal System are different entities or located in different localities, the owner/operator of said Municipal System nevertheless shall be obligated to provide water, without objection, subject to an agreement for reasonable charges for the water provided from the Municipal System source based on the reasonable cost of providing said central piped water. Homeowners in a karst geology area of the Commonwealth who rely on private wells within the service area of any community with an existing community water system component well which is found to be GUDI or to have failed as described above, shall have the same rights, privileges and obligations as users of the community water system. A special tax district may be established in order to finance any construction or other costs, charges or fees associated with the provision of water under this section of the Code."1/24/2011 7
"It's like a sponge with holes," said Alex Blackburn of the county's Department of Building and Development, adding that many areas are susceptible to collapse and that underground passageways can carry pollutants into neighboring wells.
Don Michael, a well driller whose bits have pierced area house sites, said: "It's like a maze underneath there. Water travels so fast it doesn't have a chance to get purified. A cavern can then fill in with a pastelike mud, thick as mashed potatoes -‐-‐ the residue of dissolved rock that doesn't get carried off with the water." http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Digging into history of Loudoun's Limestone Overlay DistrictSunday, June 6, 2010
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Q. Where did the groundhog theory come from, what are their qualifications, and explain how a groundhog hole is acting as a conduit for bacteria entering the water table?A. There are several sinkholes in the Raspberry subdivision. Many of these
sinkholes have groundhog holes in them. We have no idea how complex the warrens are and how many groundhogs are in them. They are, however, in sinkholes -- the depressions that accumulate water and can act as direct conduits to the groundwater. Rain events could very easily wash pollution from animal droppings or decaying carcasses from the warrens into the groundwater. Licensed hydrogeologists identified the groundhog holes and have clearly stated in a draft report that they are a potential source of contamination. The closer a potential pollution source is to a well, the higher the likelihood of the source actually impacting the well. This likelihood is increased if the source is up gradient (generally uphill) of the well. The closest groundhog holes are within a few hundred feet of one of the drinking water wells for Raspberry Falls and are up gradient from Well #1.
Loudoun Water Communications That Concern Us
Source: Loudounwater.org Raspberry Falls Q&A
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Raspberry Falls Community -- Map
Yellow small tacks = identified sinkholesSmall red = septic tanks and drainfields Big White Tack = Planned RF Well FSmall green = test wellsSmall blue = private wellsBig tacks = community wells, golf course irrigation wells, plains of Raspberry well, community waste sys
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Location of Nine (9)DecayingBuffaloCarcassesonWright FarmProperty
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Location of Nine (9)DecayingBuffalo
Carcasseson
Wright FarmPropertyFeb 2010
Visible Sinkhole
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Loudoun Water Communications That Concern UsINCIDENT: In February 2010, residents discovered approximately 9 buffalo carcasses and countless skeletonsintentionally dumped at the border between the Wright Farm and Raspberry Falls. The topography was wet and sloped downward from the dump site to the well head area for Well #2. We made the assumption that the products of the decomposing buffalo were draining through Karst fissures into our groundwater. These include bacteria, parasites, toxic chemicals and viruses which are not addressed by chlorine disinfection of our water supply. What tests did Loudoun Water perform to check for such pathogens? Why did the county health department not seek a
the dead animals into the reservoir, there is no doubt that the health department would have initiated a criminal investigation. How is this incident any different?
BisonInformation About Bison (March 11, [2010] 5 pm)Loudoun Water is aware that a farm adjacent to the Raspberry Falls property lost some bison over the winter and those animals were left to die on the property. We have no knowledge how or why they died. Animal Control investigated and "is not concerned." The property owner plans to move (or has moved) the carcasses further from their property line. Loudoun Water took samples of raw water (prior to treatment) and finished water (after treatment) for analysis on Tuesday as part of its regular weekly monitoring protocol. Results from this week and last week were normal. The Raspberry Falls well water is safe to drink and use as normal.http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=913&terms=raspberry
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Zone of Influence Around Raspberry Falls Primary Well #1
Golf Club leaf composting pile of more than 500 cubic feet
The self-policing effortsof the residents ofRaspberry Falls
resulted in the clean-upof this Golf Course Maintenance area
Pile of Trash and Debris
AtGolf Course Maintenance
Facility
Loudoun Water Communications That Concern Us
Q. Where is the contamination coming from?
large leaf/mulch pile on the golf course was the source of bacteria finding its way into the well, since once that pile was cleared away, we saw bacti readings return to normal. But a subsequent round of sampling showed a similar spike. Geologists believe that a series of groundhog holes within the karst are one of the possible entry points for rain and surface water that naturally carry bacteria within them.
Source: Loudounwater.org Raspberry Falls Q&A
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RASPBERRY FALLS SHOULD NOT INVOLVE PUTTING MORE HOLES IN THE GROUND
A LONG TERM WATER SOLUTION FOR
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Zone of Influence Around Raspberry Falls Primary Well #1
Sludge Pit (after rainfall)
Sludge Pit from Golf Course Maintenance Vehicle Washdown
Commercial Dumpster
Commercial Fuel Storage Tank
Sludge Pit (Close up)
The self-‐policing effortsof the residents ofRaspberry Falls
resulted in the clean-‐upof this Golf course
maintenancearea
Why is Well PW-1 now considered GUDI when it wasn t before?The nature of water wells in karst geology is that any well could become GUDI over time. This situation is not unique to Raspberry Falls. Other water wells throughout the Shenandoah Valley have also become GUDI over time. More information about wells in karst geology is provided by Loudoun County government and can be found by clicking here.
Information about PW-1 GUDI DeterminationNovember 24, 2010Dear Raspberry Falls Resident, On November 23, 2010, Loudoun Water was officially informed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) that the results of a six-month series of tests on Well PW-Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water or GUDI. If a well is labeled GUDI, the degree of treatment required for the untreated water is the same as that required for untreated water pulled from a surface water source. Therefore, once we were first informed by VDH on November 16, 2010, that a GUDI determination was possible, PW-1 was immediately taken out of service. http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=1251&terms=raspberry
http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=99&terms=raspberry
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene1. How could current development plans based on community well systems ever have
been approved for a community in a known Limestone Karst geology when the county hydrologist recommended against it? Over 10 years ago, the potential impacts regarding contaminated drinking water were already known. There were Identified sources of contamination within Raspberry Falls and adjacent properties: EPA Impaired Streams (e-‐coli & coliform), sinkholes, un-‐lined storm water ponds, bison farm, dairy farm, private alternative septics, chemical storage tanks, medical psychiatric facility, golf course, improperly abandoned wells, waste water treatment plant.
2. Initial source water studies for well 1 & well 2 specify both wells at high risk for source water contamination. Why was no filtration required? Why have special waivers been requested and issued to not test for fertilizer, poisons, and chemicals knowing we live on a golf course in karst?
3. How was VDH recently able to determine the bison farm (riddled with sinkholes) is not a contamination source to our wells as it is about 700 feet away from well #2? RF hydrogeological experts have noted RF wells could potentially draw contaminations from up to 23 kilometers away?
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene4. What steps were immediately taken when Loudoun Water and the Virginia Office
of Drinking Water became aware that there was a significant spike of e-‐coli in Raspberry Falls Well #1 raw water in 2006? When specifically was the event recorded? When specifically was the well shut down from further production?
issued?5. How many boil water alerts have been issued? Have any boil water alerts not been
issued when they should have been? How many, when, for what reason?6. When was the public golf course added to the Raspberry Falls residential water
system?7. Why did the golf course shut down their drinking water well?8. When the public golf course was added to Raspberry Falls water system did the
number of users reflect the type and frequency of testing? How has Loudoun Water increased type and frequency to reflect the true number of people living in Raspberry Falls? How many people are permitted to use RF drinking water wells? How many people are actually drinking from RF wells, including public facilities and commercial useage?
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene9. How many wells have been drilled in Raspberry Falls? How many are able to produce a viable
drinking water source?10. Why did VDH need to grant a special exception to Loudoun Water for well F? Has well F been
approved? Has Well F shown indicators of surface water influence? What has taken so long to bring Well F on line as it was promised in 2009?
11. Aside from Well F and well #2 are there any other viable drinking water sources in RF? Any that do not require a special exception?
12. Given that Well #2 has been found to have high levels of algae, consistent coliform, e-‐ coli, protozoa, and pollen; why is an immediate, temporary solution not already in place to provide residents with safe water given the significant possibility that conditions responsible for the recent VDH Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GUDI) determination may apply to all wells within our community?
13. Since well #2 has become Raspberry Falls only source of drinking water numerous people have complained of GI issues and rashes. 3 Calls were made within the past 2 weeks from residents to Loudoun County Health Department. No calls have been returned, why?
14. In 2008, the EPA offered to perform a dye trace study that would show which RF wells are GUDI. The dye trace test was requested in November 2009, with an expected start date of May 2010. Why has Loudoun Water prevented the study? Will EPA be fully supported in performing the critical dye trace
Loudoun County, Loudoun Water, contractors, builders, business owners, land owners, or any of their representing attorneys attempting to manipulate the way the EPA wants to conduct their study?
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene15. In 2009, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) declared Raspberry Falls Well #1 was
not GUDI despite clear evidence to the contrary. Evidence included bacteria and algae in the well that spiked with rain. This was clear evidence that surface contamination flows through karst channels into the groundwater acquifer without being filtered by soil particles. After the residents of the Raspberry Falls community sent multiple letters to the VDH in 2010 documenting the errors of the 2009 review, VDH reversed itself and declared the well GUDI. In 2011, VDH and Loudoun Water say the backup well #2 is not GUDI. Given the statement by the head of Loudoun Water that wells in karst may become polluted over time, and the error by VDH in its 2009 finding, knowing well #2 has shown e-‐coli, coliform, algae and pollen, why should we believe their statement that well #2 is not GUDI ?
16. In January 2010, LW stated it would add a UV filter, increase the capacity of the storage tank and make the fire hydrants operational. More than a year has passed. Not a single promised improvement has been made and our primary well has been shut down due to bacterial contamination. Why is it taking so long when our health is at risk?
17. Why are Van Metre and K. Hovnanian still selling homes in this community and connecting more homes to the community well water system when it's now clear the current community well system is overtaxed, over permitted capacity, contaminated, unsustainable, and there is no alternate solution in place yet?
18. One of the options being reviewed is construction of a filtration plant for the community well system. What experience does Loudoun Water have in constructing and maintaining such a plant?
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene19. Some members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors have declared that the
Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan prohibits extension of public water to the Raspberry Falls community. We have read the plan and find no such restriction. Specifically what restriction is being referenced?
20. The Mayor of the Town of Leesburg says she will not extend public water past Leesburg town boundaries. However, the Town of Leesburg allowed public water to be extended to the Dupont Equine Center outside the town boundary immediately South of our community. Further, the Town of Leesburg extended water utilities to the newly built Tuscarora High School (also originally outside Town boundaries) which is located 1 mile South of the Raspberry Falls community. Why does the Town of Leesburg make exceptions for some but not others? Given the issues of public health associated with a contaminated water supply, why is a special exception not being made for our community?
21. Some members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors have stated that Raspberry Falls is located in a rural district. How can this statement be true since the County approved the developer's plan in 1990 to construct a golf course and 200 homes on primarily 1 acre lots? How is that consistent with preserving a district of farms and horse pastures? If the goal was to preserve a rural district, why did the county construct a large new high school campus in the same district (Tuscarora High School, Leesburg, VA) http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/Tuscarora/site/default.asp
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RF Questions for Dr. Wes Kleene22. Does the VDH or Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulate the water
quality of the stormwater pond located on the Raspberry Falls property? Why is this pond not lined to prevent seepage of runoff contaminants into the
usage of fertilizers or pesticides all of which may seep into or runoff into the
23. Did the Raspberry Falls Golf Course originally have their own drinking water well? Was this well abandoned? For what reason?
24.Non Compliers (Waterworks) for enforcement targeting?
25. It is our understanding that Raspberry Falls Golf Course irrigation wells are drawing 200,000+ gpd and Raspberry Falls potable drinking water well is drawing 100,000+ gpd from our groundwater aquifer located in Karst geology. The developer is continuing to sell homes and add connections to our fragile community well. Could you please lay out the potential long term impacts of over pumping of wells especially relating to formation of sinkholes, altercation of sinking/losing underground streams, and structural damage to homes and underground water/sewer pipes? Does it make sense to reduce connections of high production wells, thus reducing the burden for the aquifer in this heavily populated area, noting a municipal water supply is approximately 1 mile away? Does it make sense to stop future exploration for potable water wells in this contaminated area?
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