Legislative Action Needed to Protect Drinking Water

UPDATE: In May 2006, Governor Jim Douglas signed into law H.294 - the groundwater protection bill. The bill establishes an interim permitting process for water withdrawals over 50,000 gallons per day. The bill is designed to safeguard Vermont against groundwater depletion and contamination until a long-term, comprehensive program is put in place. Read the final bill language here.

December 16, 2005

In the 2006 Legislative session, the Vermont Legislature will take up the critical issue of how to manage and protect Vermont’s underground drinking water resources. VNRC, in collaboration with a growing number of concerned citizens, organizations, and legislators has been working to build support for legislation which will safeguard the state’s invaluable freshwater resources from over-consumption and contamination now — and for future generations.

To achieve this critical goal, the Legislature must enact legislation which:

• Holds all of Vermont’s surface and drinking water in the public trust to ensure that Vermont’s water is owned by no one person, but by everyone and that any commercial use is carefully considered with the public’s interest as a first priority. Many states, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, have already taken this important step.

• Establishes funding for and requires the Agency of Natural Resources to map and classify all drinking water, including public aquifers and private wells, so that decisions to protect and regulate our water are based on sound scientific data. Without a clear understanding of the quantity and location of the state’s underground drinking water resources, Vermont remains vulnerable to depletion and pollution.

• Creates regulatory policies to ensure Vermont does not deplete its drinking water and guarantees public involvement in decisions about the future of this vital resource.

Groundwater Problems in Vermont

Williston. In one of the state’s fastest growing communities, residents’ taps were running dry because of the increased strain on the groundwater resource from rapid development. Intense development is also taking its toll on the quality of the water. Two decades ago, residential private drinking wells were so contaminated by solvents and heavy metals from the electronic manufacturing corporation Mitec that wells were closed and residents needed an alternate drinking water supply. Today, this area of Williston is a Superfund site awaiting clean-up, and EPA warns that the groundwater contamination could potentially pollute private and public water supplies serving approximately 1,575 people within four miles of the property. VNRC will continue to lobby, advocate, and litigate for sustainable future development, restoration and cleanup of polluted waters, and protection of our groundwater resources.

Marshfield. After investing $1.7 million in a new water system, residents discovered high levels of uranium – a naturally radioactive element – in both the public water supply and private wells. Marshfield was forced to abandon its new system and return primarily to the old one because of the dangerous contamination. Citizens want to know more about the potential deleterious effects this chemical may have on human health and well being and how to properly mitigate them. By accessing, mapping and inventorying groundwater in towns throughout the state, Vermonters will understand the quality and quantity of this precious resource in their backyards.

Milton. High levels of radon – a naturally occurring, potentially cancer-causing radioactive gas – have been detected in private wells. Residents in Milton want a clear understanding of the threat this poses to their drinking water supply and their health. Until the Agency of Natural Resources dedicates the staff and funding by the state to properly classify aquifers throughout Vermont, instances of unsafe water will continue to go unchecked.

Randolph. ClearSource is the water bottling company formerly known as Vermont Pure and MicroPack, which draws tens of thousands of gallons of water from the public aquifer for commercial bottling. The level of consumption has degraded a brook that was once trout habitat and area residents have reported springs and wells going dry. A new water basin management plan for the White River area, a proposal that could lower the classification of Blaisdell Brook, which is near Clear Source’s springs in Randolph Center, could ultimately decrease protection for the area’s water. VNRC is working to ensure the state’s long-term groundwater resource plan for 17 basins in Vermont are based on hard science and the public’s interest.

Danby. The multinational corporation OMYA pumped 4.5 million liters per day of water out of the public aquifer during a drought several years ago. The result was numerous ponds, wells and springs going dry. The corporation denied responsibility. VNRC supports the state of Vermont adopting sound policies on commercial withdrawals of groundwater.