14.36.110 Critical aquifer recharge areas--Uses and activities in critical aquifer recharge areas that are subject to limitations in wellhead protection zones.
A. To protect the public health and safety, prevent aquifer contamination, and preserve the groundwater resource for continual beneficial use, uses and activities shall be most limited in those areas which have the highest degree of risk.
B. Stormwater Runoff. Stormwater impacts shall be mitigated through the application of the most current version of the city of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual. To minimize the potential for groundwater contamination, enhanced treatment and/or phosphorous treatment may be required prior to infiltration or discharge.
C. Agricultural Activities. Agricultural activities within the city are primarily associated with urban agriculture, as allowed under Chapter 16.21 LMC, which includes limits and requirements for small farm animals. Agricultural impacts shall be mitigated through implementation of the Northern Thurston County Ground Water Management Plan (1991) as revised and updated, where applicable. In designated critical areas, the city of Lacey in consultation with the health officer or other qualified health expert shall require an applicant to employ methods that result in protection from aquifer contamination.
D. Solid Waste. Solid waste disposal facilities shall comply with Chapters 173-304 and 173-200 WAC. Solid waste landfills, and other solid waste disposal facilities likely to produce leachate shall be prohibited in Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Categories I and II. Handling and transfer facilities within these two categories may be placed with source control BMPs appropriate to the facility. Special care shall be employed to avoid the impacts of spills and leachate.
E. Hazardous Materials. Projects within sites that utilize, store, or dispose of hazardous substances may be required to prepare and implement a spill, prevention, control, and countermeasures plan (SPCC plan) that is specific to the hazardous substances on the site, or hazardous materials management plan as described in LMC 14.36.160.
F. Landscaping and Irrigation. Requirements for landscaping and associated irrigation are addressed in Chapter 16.80 LMC. All land use projects located within a wellhead protection area will be required to develop and implement an integrated pest management (IPM) plan that addresses plant selection, irrigation, and maintenance practices for minimizing the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and for preventing the leaching of soluble fertilizers and other contaminants into groundwater. IPM plans are expected to include the elements described in Thurston County’s Integrated Pest Management Plan Guidance, and IPM plans as required by Thurston County for any projects located within a city of Lacey wellhead protection area shall also be submitted to the city of Lacey.
G. On-Site Septic Systems. On-site septic systems for new or expanding uses within the city are addressed in service policies in the city of Lacey Wastewater Comprehensive Plan. The following provisions do not apply to septic tank effluent pumping (STEP) systems that are part of the city sewer system.
1. New individual or community onsite septic systems are not allowed within the city.
2. Individual on-site septic systems for expanding uses are discouraged and will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, generally as exceptional cases when connection to city sewer is not feasible. The city may require annual testing of septic systems as a condition of approval.
H. Abandoned Wells. Wells that cease to be used as a water source or as a resource protection well, are unmaintained, or are in such disrepair as to be unusable shall be decommissioned consistent with Chapter 173-160 WAC to prevent groundwater contamination and remove any public safety hazards. (Ord. 1638 §11, 2023; Ord. 1505 §44 (part), 2017).