My community has zoning and subdivision regulations–can these be used as ground water protection tools?
• The ability of a locality to control land uses through zoning can provide a strong basis for a successful ground water protection program. Along with the part of the code dealing with the comprehensive plan, Section 15.2-2283 of Virginia’s zoning law was also amended to incorporate language allowing localities to include “reasonable” zoning provisions to protect ground water. Wellhead protection is a prime example of the type of program envisioned when the state enabling laws were expanded. While the term “reasonable” is not defined in the statute, it can be assumed that a reasonableness standard applies to all zoning and, therefore, that ground water protection measures must be no less reasonable than other zoning measures. • Zoning can be used as a tool to protect wellhead areas from contamination in a number of ways, depending on the level of development surrounding the wellfields. It is most effective for directing future development in a planned fashion – it is much less effecti
