Join Us and Take Action during Source Water Protection Week: Sept. 29 – Oct. 5

September 29 – October 5 is Source Water Protection Week. Join us as we take action to safeguard the clean water that sustains our communities. Let’s Protect the Source together

Wellhead Protection Program

The City of Lacey relies on multiple groundwater sources to provide a safe and reliable potable water supply for its growing community. This includes 20 wells that draw water from three underground aquifers.

In 1995, the City began implementing its Wellhead Protection Program as a commitment to protect the environment and prevent groundwater contamination. The program outlines hydrogeological (the type of geology concerned with water occurring underground or on the surface of the earth) characteristics, water quality monitoring, risk of contamination, and more to keep our drinking water safe.

You can view the entire Wellhead Protection Program in Appendix P, page 272.

What is a Wellhead Protection Area?

A wellhead protection area (WHPA) is the surface and underground land area that is monitored to prevent contamination of a well or well field that supplies the City’s drinking water.

The protection area is split up into different zones. These zones are based on the time it takes a drop of water to travel from the point where it enters the underground aquifer to the point where it enters the nearest drinking water well.

Critical components that ensure our drinking water stays clean include:

Identifying WHPAs
Identifying potential sources of groundwater contamination within WHPAs
- Keeping a contaminant source inventory within each WHPA
Providing extensive notification network to owners/operators, local regulatory agencies, and local emergency responders.
Having a Spill Response Plan

To find out if you live within a wellhead protection area, enter your address into this map.

What Can You Do to Prevent Groundwater Contamination?

Properly Dispose of Potentially Toxic Substances

For your health and safety, carefully dispose of hazardous chemicals like motor oil, batteries, paints, pesticides, etc.
- You can dispose of these items FREE at the Thurston County’s HazoHouse, 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE, Lacey, WA 98516
  Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  For questions call (360) 867-2491 or visit the HazoHouse website

Using fewer chemicals around your home and yard reduces the amount you’ll have to dispose of! Consider natural/nontoxic household cleaners.
- Materials such as lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar make great cleaning products, are inexpensive, and environmentally friendly!
Letting out-of-date or unused prescriptions sit in the medicine cabinet is NOT a good idea. Too often, such medicines are accidentally taken and can be potentially dangerous to digest if they’re past their expiration date.
- Visit the following websites to locate a safe medication takeback location: