Groundwater Protection

Just like our rivers, our groundwater must be protected. The City of Sellwood has implemented a groundwater protection program to protect the Glades Well Field – a drinking water source for over 800,000 residents.

A Drop of Prevention is Worth a Gallon of Cure

The goal of the groundwater protection program is to prevent chemical spills that could seep into the ground and pollute our drinking water.

• Businesses within the wellhead protection area boundary are subject to regulation if they use certain types and quantities of chemicals
• Regulations focus on:
  • Spill containment
  • Prevention
  • Best management practices
• Pollution prevention is a cost-effective way to protect our groundwater resource and requires the cooperation of everyone living and working in the protection area

Why is Groundwater Protection Important?

Over 70% of Sellwood residents rely solely or in part on groundwater for drinking water. Contaminated groundwater is very difficult and expensive to clean up – costing tens of millions of dollars. Implementing groundwater protection measures is the most cost-effective and responsible thing to do.

Sellwood has a long commitment to source water protection:

• We have had a groundwater protection program in place since 1988
• The Glades Well Field Groundwater Protection Program regulates businesses that use, store, and/or transport potentially hazardous chemicals in our groundwater protection area

How Can I Help Protect Groundwater?

Businesses are not the only ones responsible for protecting groundwater. We all have a role in protecting this valuable resource whether at home, in the yard, or in your community.

Is my Business Regulated Under the Groundwater Protection Program?

If your business is located within the Glades Well Field Wellhead Protection Area Boundary and uses chemicals over set threshold amounts, you may be regulated under this program.

What Chemicals are Regulated?

The table in the next section summarizes the types of chemicals and quantities of chemicals that are regulated under the groundwater protection program.

• Concentrations of the chemical must exceed 10% to be regulated
• Because halogenated solvents pose the greatest risk to groundwater (due to their density and ability to travel easily through the ground) the threshold amount is only 10 gallons
• Products that contain halogenated solvents include industrial cleaners, glues, and degreasers

Regulated Chemicals & Chemical Quantities