Drinking Water

Aquifers

One of the most unique features of the Honey Creek Watershed is the existence of several sole source aquifers.  The aquifers consist of ancient bedrock valleys filled with thick layers of sand and gravel.  Termed a "buried valley aquifer," this highly permeable substrate is ideal for capturing and storing large qualities of groundwater. Similar to the diagram below (provided by MVRPC), our aquifers follow the river corridors of the Honey Creek and Great Miami River.

In the Miami Valley, residents are constantly extracting water from the aquifers for drinking.  It is estimated that over 36 million gallons of drinking water is extracted from the Honey Creek Watershed aquifers every day!

The Honey Creek Watershed Association was formed in part to help protect the aquifers from pollution by protecting riparian land, preserving wetlands, and educating citizens.

Groundwater Pollution Potential

Because of a direct connection between surface and ground water, pollutants in our rivers and streams can also enter the aquifer.  Once a aquifer becomes contaminated, they are difficult, if not impossible, to remediate.  Many aquifers must be abandoned after contamination and a new drinking water sources must be found.

The potential for an aquifer to become polluted depends on the physical and chemical properties of the soil and aquifer.  In the Honey Creek Watershed, the pollution potential of our aquifers is as follows:

• 21% of the watershed has HIGH potential for groundwater pollution

• 73% of the watershed has MEDIUM potential for groundwater pollution

• 6% of the watershed has LOW potential for groundwater pollution

Wellhead Protection

In order to reduce the potential for groundwater contamination, many communities have established "Wellhead Protection Areas."  This normally consists of a defined area around the drinking water wells where land use is managed to reduce activities that may cause contamination.  Wellhead protection areas exist in Dayton, Tipp City, and New Carlisle, and are being studied in Christiansburg.

Common sources of groundwater pollution:

• Fertilizers and pesticides

• Un-maintained septic systems

• Gas stations

• Industries with aboveground or underground storage tanks (ASTs or USTs)

• Chemical dumping in river and streams

What can I do?

• Be aware when you enter a Wellhead Protection Area

• Regularly pump and maintain your septic system

• Avoid the use of fertilizers on your land

• Never dump oil, household chemicals, trash, etc into storm drains