Since 1998, the Business Pollution Prevention Program has provided technical assistance to businesses operating near the 29 municipal wells serving the city's of Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, and Grand Mound. Wellhead Protection protects public drinking water supplies by managing the land surface around a well where activities might affect the quality of the water. The County has worked with the city representatives in these wellhead protection areas to identify and gain the participation of over 80 businesses. [Click picture for enlarged view]

Businesses in the County's wellhead protection areas voluntarily allow County inspectors to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with Thurston County's Nonpoint Source Pollution Ordinance (Article VI [PDF] of the Sanitary Code). These inspections also provide an opportunity for technical assistance aimed at minimizing hazardous material use and on-site storage. Inspectors also assist businesses in developing spill response plans, spill prevention, and recycling opportunities.

Additional Information

If you have questions about the wellhead protection program, please call Thurston County Environmental Health at 360-867-2664 or TTY / TDD 711 or 1-800-833-6388, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Other information that may be of interest:

• Doing Business in a Wellhead Protection Area [PDF] — fact sheet
• Report from the Field: Doing Business on Thurston County Shorelines [PDF] (3/05 Hazardous Waste Update, pg 3) ― how businesses operating near a shoreline must manage hazardous materials or wastes properly to avoid contamination of these delicate areas.

Above diagram courtesy of The Groundwater Foundation