Public Health
Public Health – including water supply and wastewater treatment
o Groundwater is a critically important natural resource in WNC and steep slope developments rely heavily on it for potable water supply. Â About half of WNC residents rely on groundwater and this percentage is much higher in steep slope areas.
o There are unique ground water quality, usage, and sustainability issues on steep slopes, particularly in the fractured rock terrain of Western North Carolina – groundwater storage is limited due to thin soils, increased run-off and limited groundwater recharge. Prior to development it is recommended that a site-specific evaluation be made to determine whether adequate high quality groundwater supplies are present and can be sustained. (PH-3)
o Standard state setbacks between private wells and septic tank systems may be inadequate to prevent well contamination in steep slope developments.  The hydraulic connection between septic fields and wells is different in different terrains and current laws and ordinances tend to employ a “one size fits all†rule which does not reflect these complexities. The State should undertake research to better understand these issues and develop new septic to well setback guidelines based on slope and other factors. (PH-8)
o Groundwater is a critically important natural resource in WNC and steep slope developments rely heavily on it for potable water supply. Â About half of WNC residents rely on groundwater and this percentage is much higher in steep slope areas.
o There are unique ground water quality, usage, and sustainability issues on steep slopes, particularly in the fractured rock terrain of Western North Carolina – groundwater storage is limited due to thin soils, increased run-off and limited groundwater recharge. Prior to development it is recommended that a site-specific evaluation be made to determine whether adequate high quality groundwater supplies are present and can be sustained. (PH-3)
o Standard state setbacks between private wells and septic tank systems may be inadequate to prevent well contamination in steep slope developments.  The hydraulic connection between septic fields and wells is different in different terrains and current laws and ordinances tend to employ a “one size fits all†rule which does not reflect these complexities. The State should undertake research to better understand these issues and develop new septic to well setback guidelines based on slope and other factors. (PH-8)