About the Groundwater Protection Program
The Groundwater Protection Program helps prevent chemical spills that could seep into the ground and pollute drinking water. Businesses within the wellhead protection area boundary are subject to regulation if they use certain types and quantities of chemicals. Regulations focus on spill prevention, containment, and best management practices. Pollution prevention is a cost-effective way to protect our groundwater resources and requires the cooperation of everyone living and working in the protection area.
Businesses regulated under this program
Your business may be regulated under this program if:
- your business is within the Columbia South Shore Well Field Wellhead protection area boundary, and
- your business uses chemicals over set threshold amounts.
What is the protection area boundary?
The protection area boundary shown on the map below was developed using a sophisticated computer model that estimates how groundwater moves underground. A 30-year time-of-travel boundary was established to maximize groundwater protection. 30-year time-of-travel means that it would take 30 years for a drop of groundwater to move from the protection area boundary to a drinking water well. The Portland Water Bureau also has an extensive monitoring well network to detect any potential threats to the City’s drinking water wells.
Which chemicals are regulated?
The table below summarizes the types of chemicals and quantities of chemicals regulated under the Groundwater Protection Program. You can find more information about regulated chemicals and threshold quantities in Section 1 of the Reference Manual, linked below. Concentrations of the chemical must exceed 10 percent to be regulated.
Halogenated solvents pose the greatest risks to groundwater due to their density and ability to travel easily through the ground. Therefore, the threshold amount for halogenated solvents is only 10 gallons. Products that contain halogenated solvents include industrial cleaners, glues, and degreasers.
| Regulated chemicals | Threshold quantity |
|---|---|
10 gallons or 100 pounds at ≥10% concentration by weight | |
| Hazardous substances on EPA’s “List of Lists” | 50 gallons or 400 pounds at ≥10% concentration by weight |
| DEQ hazardous wastes | 30 gallons or 220 pounds, at any concentration |
| Petroleum products, except fuels | 50 gallons or 400 pounds at ≥10% concentration by weight, stored in any single container with capacity >50 gallons |
| Petroleum-based liquid fuels (such as gasoline and diesel) | 50 gallons or 400 pounds, stored in any single container with capacity >50 gallons |
What are regulated businesses required to do?
- Follow chemical storage guidelines
- Report your regulated chemicals annually
- Train employees on how to handle hazardous materials (see section below)
- Familiarize yourself with our reference manual and implementation guide
Resources for training employees
Regulated businesses must provide annual training to employees who handle hazardous materials. If you already have training programs in place, you might only need to amend your program to include information about risks to groundwater.
The training must include the following:
- Risks to groundwater from the handling and use of hazardous materials
- Locations of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- How to read an SDS
- Contact information in the event of a spill
- Review of Annual Hazardous Materials Inventory Report
- Review of Facility Information Report
- Potential risks a spill may pose to groundwater
- Spill response procedures
Use the following presentation to train your employees:
Print, fill out, and hang one of these spill signs in a visible place at your business, or contact us for free durable signs. The local contact number on the sign is different in Portland, Fairview and Gresham, so make sure you select the correct one for your location.
Technical assistance for regulated businesses
Free technical assistance is available to regulated businesses through the Columbia Corridor Association (CCA). Contact the association by email or call 503-287-8686.
The City’s goal in its partnership with the CCA is to assist Columbia South Shore businesses in assessing their compliance issues and planning to bring their businesses into compliance. With the CCA, we produce educational materials, host workshops, and provide technical assistance.