Em4885 irrigation management practices to protect ground water

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CHAPTER 2
Blanket statements concerning ground water quality in all Washington aquifers cannot be made.
However, identified contamination of some ground water resources can be taken as a warning
concerning other aquifers in similar situations.
Overall Strategy for Reduction of Nonpoint Source Pollution
As previously stated, and as partially listed in Table 2-2, there are adopted water quality standards
(WAC 173-201A) that protect the beneficial uses of surface waterbodies. These standards are
intended to protect water quality, not to react to water pollution. The standards incorporate a portion
of existing state law termed the anti-degradation policy (WAC 173-201-035(a)). This policy strictly
forbids the degradation of water that would preclude its beneficial uses of drinking water, irrigation,
and wildlife habitat.
Note that this is not a policy of non-degradation. As indicated by Table 2-2, some level of
contamination is allowed, even of drinking water.
The overall strategy for protecting waterbodies is based on technology. If land-use activities are
the primary causes of nonpoint source pollution, then modification of these activities should reduce
the pollution. Thus, the strategy depends on the implementation of practices that will minimize
contaminating activities. These practices have generally been termed “best management practices.”
In the Manual they are referred to as “Implementation Practices” and are presented in Chapter 4.
Other parts of the strategy include technical assistance, education programs, and enforcement of
state and local regulations. Enforcement and regulatory tools include the following:
1. State Water Pollution Control Act - This is Chapter 90.48 of the Revised Code of Washington.
This Act authorizes the administration of programs mandated by the Federal Clean Water Act
and also establishes the anti-degradation policy.
2. Water Quality Standards - Chapters 173-200 and 173-201A of the Washington Administrative
Code set the numerical criteria for ground water and the various classes of surface water in
the state. They are established to protect current and potential uses of the water. Action must
be taken if testing shows that the waterbody is threatened or impaired. They specify that “all
known, available, and reasonable methods of prevention, control, and treatment” will be
implemented for those activities with the potential to pollute water. These methods are
known under the acronym of AKART. AKART must be used no matter what the quality of
the receiving water. Further, if existing AKART are not sufficient to protect water quality,
additional controls must be used.
3. State Environmental Policy Act - This Act requires consideration of impacts on the
environment by significant activities. These activities may be construction projects
or implementation of policies, plans, ordinances, or regulations.
4. Shoreline Management Act - Chapter 90.58 of the Revised Code of Washington establishes
a policy of . . . “protecting against adverse effects to the public health, the land and its
vegetation and wildlife, and the waters of the state or their aquatic life.” Shorelines where
the mean annual flow is less than 20 cubic-feet-per-second are exempt from regulation under
this Act.