Wellhead Protection

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A portion of Pinellas County’s potable water supply comes from groundwater sources. The use, handling, production and storage of regulated substances (hazardous and toxic materials) present a risk of contamination to the groundwater supply. The Wellhead Protection Zone is in northeast Pinellas, and bounded by Pasco County on the north; Hillsborough County on the east; East Lake Road on the west; and the Florida Power right-of-way on the south.

 

Wellhead Protection Ordinance was implemented to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and visitors of Pinellas County by providing criteria for regulating certain substances that may impair present and future public potable water supply wells and wellfields. It prohibits or restricts all non-residential activities that use, handle, produce, dispose, and/or store regulated substances within the Zone of Protection, except as provided under the General Exemption and Special Exemption provisions of the Ordinance. If a pre-existing owner or tenant did not obtain the required permit, he or she had to submit a Closure Permit. Residential activities and stormwater ponds are also regulated by this ordinance. Certain activities in non-compliance with this ordinance may be required to cease operation.

 

Non-residential properties which handle regulated substances in amounts greater than ten (10) gallons liquid or twenty-five (25) pounds solid are subject to the regulations of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance. Certain facilities and activities may be prohibited or restricted. Please refer to the document titled Prohibitions and Restrictions for information.

 

Non-residential properties not subject to Wellhead Protection Permit or General Exemption requirements must complete an Affidavit of Notification attesting to this circumstance.

Where to start: files in pdf format

• Prohibitions and Restrictions / Regulated Activities
• Generic Substances List - Appendix A- Appendix A of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance. For additional regulated substances, see Appendix E.

• Best Management Practices for the Construction Industry
  Appendix D of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.

• Application Flow Chart

• Applications and Fees:
  • Application for permit to operate within the Wellhead Zone of Protection - For commercial facilities. Complete description of facility operations required; may require annual renewal. Fee - $25.00
  • Application for permit to operate a residential development within the Wellhead Zone of Protection - For new residential developments larger than 25 units and/or with stormwater ponds. Fee - $25.00
  • Application for general exemption within the Wellhead Zone of Protection - For most commercial and government facilities, parks, utilities, offices, and residential developments; Development falls in a GE category. Fee - $100.00
  • Annual renewal for permit to operate within the Wellhead Zone of Protection - For commercial facilities that are required to renew annually. Fee - $25.00
  • Affidavit of Notification - Statement that development or facility operations do not meet criteria regarding regulated substances. Fee – None

Wellhead Protection Resources:

• Wellhead Protection Ordinance (Pinellas County Municode Sec. 166-191)
• Pinellas County Building Services

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection:

  • Wellhead protection information
  • Wellhead protection rule
  • Source Water Assessment and Protection Program

 

 

 

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