How can development be planned to protect the ground water supply?
• For existing water supply wells, the ground water flow system that provides water to the wells needs to be understood in sufficient detail to identify the recharge areas. Boundaries of flow systems, which often encompass considerably more than the immediate vicinity of the wells, need to be determined to delineate the area through which ground water flows before reaching the wells. Activities that are potential contaminant sources need to be managed in recharge areas, and practices that reduce the potential for contaminant release need to be adopted. For proposed water supply wells, the ability of the flow system to yield more water beyond the existing demand needs to be determined. Conservation measures may be needed to expand the supply. Proposed well site locations need to be evaluated for (1) possible interference with existing water supply wells and surface water systems, and (2) existing potential sources of contaminants to the proposed wells. For both existing and proposed wel
