Background/Purpose of Request:
Malcolm Jones of Mirasol Family Mine has indicated his intent to construct and enlarge a sand mine within the Wellhead Protection Area of the 6 million gallon per day 211 Water Treatment Plant (WTP) well field. Sand mines are considered “higher risk” uses in the wellhead protection plan that was approved by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners in 2013 in concert with direction from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The wellhead protection plan seeks to minimize or avoid development uses within the area that could have a detrimental impact on water quality and quantity of the wells that supply water to the WTP. Mr. Jones’ consultants have indicated that the wells are likely to be impacted by the sand mine but have not indicated if this may have a detrimental impact on operations. If there is hydraulic connectivity between the sand mine and the Castle Hayne Aquifer from which the wells draw the water, the available water from the impacted wells may be increased but the potential for contamination is likely to increase as well. The 211 Water Treatment Plant is permitted as a groundwater facility and well contamination may require the abandonment of the wells or conversion of the treatment process to meet surface water requirements. Mr. Jones is seeking re-zoning approval from the county.
The enclosed task order with ECS Southeast, LLP is for consulting services to review information from the developer, a desktop analysis of the potential impacts, recommendations for a modeling plan for the developer to follow in the event that the desktop analysis indicates more in-depth field work is necessary, potential treatment impacts and additional water treatment measures. Brunswick County currently has an on-call contract with ECS. The initial cost of the work is $10,350 and other future phases may be required based on the results of the initial phase. Staff requests input regarding engineering work to determine the impacts associated with a developer request to expand and construct a sand mine within the 211 Water Treatment Plant Wellhead Protection Area and based on that input approve a task order with ECS in the amount of $10,350 for consultant services. |