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Drinking Water Pollution Leads to Water Conservation

ISSUE: DECLINING LEVELS OF WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY
The city of Waupaca experienced water quality and quantity issues during the late 1980�s and early 1990�s. It has since implemented a
variety of strategies to protect and conserve groundwater including well remediation and water conservation, which are discussed here, as well as cropping agreements (see separate case study).

APPROACH: WATER QUALITY
Groundwater in the City of Waupaca flows from the former site of a dry cleaning business to City well number four. In the mid 1980�s, a chemical called tetrachloroethylene (PCE) leaked from an underground tank at the cleaners and was found in the drinking water pumped from the well. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and dry cleaner settled the case, leaving the DNR with responsibility for cleanup.

The city pumped contaminated water out of well number four and discharged it over a rock channel so the PCE could evaporate. The water then ran into the Waupaca River. This did not reduce the amount of PCE in the drinking water and it was costly to pump on a continuous basis, burning up motors in the process.

The city considered putting in a treatment facility to remove PCE, but it was too costly. The Waupaca Public Works director wrote a letter to the secretary of DNR who finally arranged for an extraction well to be placed over the plume of PCE. Within two weeks, the level of PCE in the water coming from the extraction well dropped. The city continued pumping the extraction well for a couple of months.

The present level of PCE is 1-2 parts per billion (ppb) compared to the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 ppb recommended to protect human health. The well now provides 10-15% of the city of Waupaca�s water. In 1992, the city also adopted a wellhead protection ordinance. As with other Wisconsin communities, the ordinance was adopted after experiencing drinking water contamination (see Chippewa Falls case study for more on wellhead protection).

Industrial water use
The city first worked with the local foundry, which used approximately sixty percent of the city�s water. The foundry reduced their water use by about thirty five percent by developing a method to recycle the foundry�s cooling water. The capital costs for recycling the water were not recovered quickly, but the foundry wanted to be a good neighbor to the city and set an example for residential water users.

Residential water use
Residential watering restrictions were also implemented as a way to reduce water consumption. This was partly at the suggestion of farmers who were not enthusiastic about having city wells in their backyard. Furthermore, the city felt that residents should not take water for granted. Instead of relying solely on industry to conserve water, the city wanted to instill a sense of responsibility among residents to conserve water. Believing that conservation was �the right thing to do,� the city continued conservation efforts even after the two new wells were in use.

The watering restrictions do not allow unattended watering between noon and 7 p.m. The city does a small amount of policing, but focuses instead on educational outreach. They have not issued any ordinance violations, which would impose a $200 fine.

The city also tried to reduce water consumption by tracking high residential water users and offering the 25 highest users a free water use audit of their homes. The audits identified leaks and other areas where water could be conserved and homeowners were given free low flow showerheads, toilet tank bags and low flow aerators to help them reduce their water use. This program is ongoing.

REFLECTIONS ON WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY STRATEGIES
Weaknesses
Time and money were not utilized effectively in the beginning stages of well remediation when the first remediation method prescribed by DNR was ineffective.

Strengths
The PCE from the dry cleaners was reduced below the drinking water standard in a time and cost efficient manner once the extraction well was installed. Additionally, the water conservation measures were implemented community-wide and involved both industry and residential customers. Since 1994, the city has decreased overall water consumption by twenty five percent. Groundwater levels have also increased, though due to the dynamic nature of groundwater it is difficult to say that this occurred directly as a result of conservation efforts. All of these efforts took foresight by the Public Works Department and collaboration with adjacent towns and the county.

CONCLUSION
Waupaca will continue the groundwater protection efforts discussed above and add several other strategies including future land acquisition, replacing fuel tanks, reclaimed water recycling, and more. Now that well number four has been cleaned up the city is more cautious about locations of certain industries. Following implementation of water conservation activities, these activities are ongoing and require relatively little time to monitor.

The city of Waupaca has taken some important measures, many of them proactive, to protect its groundwater. These can serve as a model for all Wisconsin communities that do not want to take their groundwater for granted. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
John Edlebeck, Director Public Works, City of Waupaca, 111 South Main St., Waupaca, WI  54981, (715) 258-4420,