Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) The water quality monitoring system shall
accurately characterize groundwater and surface water flow, groundwater and
surface water chemistry and flow systems on the site and adjacent area. The
system must consist of the following:
(1) At
least one monitoring point at a position hydraulically upgradient from the coal
ash placement area in the direction of increasing static head that is capable
of providing representative data of groundwater not affected by placement of
coal ash, except when the coal ash placement area occupies the most upgradient
position in the flow system. In that case, sufficient downgradient monitoring
points shall be placed to determine the extent of adverse effects on
groundwater from the coal ash placement.
(2) At least three groundwater monitoring
points hydraulically downgradient in the direction of decreasing static head
from the area in which coal ash has been or will be placed. The Department at
its discretion may accept two downgradient monitoring points on small sites
that can be well represented by two points. The Department may allow one or
more springs, seeps and mine discharges to substitute for wells if these points
are hydraulically downgradient from the area in which coal ash has been or will
be placed and if these points will be as effective or more effective at
monitoring the coal ash placement area than wells. Downgradient monitoring
points must be hydrologically connected to the area of coal ash placement, and
must be located and constructed so as to detect any chemical influence of the
coal ash placement area. The downgradient points must be proximate enough to
detect contaminants within the life of the placement operation. All monitoring
points must be developed and protected in a manner approved by the
Department.
(3) Surface water
monitoring points where surface water monitoring is likely to show any chemical
influence that the coal ash placement area may have on the hydrologic
regime.
(b) The
upgradient and downgradient monitoring points shall be:
(1) Sufficient in number, location and depth
to be representative of water quality.
(2) Located so as not to interfere with
routine operations at the site.
(3)
Located within 200 feet of the coal ash placement area or mining activity area,
except as necessary to comply with subsections (c) and (d). The Department may
approve location at a greater distance based on the hydrology of the coal ash
placement and adjacent areas.
(c) In addition to the requirements of
subsection (b), upgradient monitoring points shall be located so that they will
not be affected by effects on groundwater or surface water from the coal ash
placement area.
(d) In addition to
the requirements of subsection (b), downgradient monitoring points shall be
located so that they will provide early detection of effects on groundwater or
surface water from the coal ash placement area.
(e) Wells drilled under this section shall be
drilled by drillers licensed under the Water Well Drillers License Act
(32
P. S. §§ 645.1-645.13).
(f) The well materials shall be
decontaminated prior to installation.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
290.304 (relating to assessment
plan); and 25 Pa. Code §
290.307 (relating to interim water
quality monitoring requirements).
