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Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Program
Doing Business in a Wellhead Protection Area
Links:
- Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) template
- Information Brochure
- Best Management Practices Brochure
- Resources for Businesses (Pollution control requirements and BMPs, tips, etc.)
- CARA Code (Chapter 13.29, IMC)
Help Keep the City of Issaquah’s Drinking Water Clean
 Much of Issaquah’s drinking water comes from groundwater wells that draw water from the lower Issaquah Valley aquifer. These wells are located close to downtown Issaquah, near many of Issaquah’s businesses. This makes the aquifer highly susceptible to pollution.
A variety of materials and products threaten safe drinking water. Hazardous materials such as solvents, oil, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and fertilizers, if handled carelessly or stored improperly, are all potential threats. Leaking underground fuel storage tanks and failing septic systems are also sources of contamination.
How Do You Tell if a Product is Hazardous?
Hazardous materials are part of our lives. Most businesses and households use them. In general, a hazardous material exhibits at lease one of the following properties: toxicity, corrosivity, reactivity or flammability.
To help identify a hazardous material, look for the words Poison, Danger, Warning or Caution on the product label. This indicates that it can be harmful to humans and the environment.
And if you generate hazardous wastes, disposal of it requires special handling by a vendor to dispose of it properly and a permit from the State. They can not be put in the dumpster, taken to a transfer station, poured down the drain, or evaporated into the air.
CARA Requirements - Handling and Storing Hazardous Materials
REGULATIONS
Aquifer protection is regulated under the City of Issaquah Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) Ordinance (IMC 13.29), which focuses on preventing groundwater pollution.
 Businesses located within CARA Class 1 or 2, shown on the map on the right (click map to see larger figure), are subject to these CARA rules. The City will enforce these regulations through review of permits, business licenses, and physical site inspections in coordination with Eastside Fire & Rescue.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
If you are located in the CARA, you are required to do the following (“BMPs”) as part of storing and handling hazardous materials:
• Prepare Hazardous Material Inventory (see below)
• Develop a spill response plan and have cleanup materials on hand.
• Keep all hazardous materials in secondary containment
• Periodically monitor your storage areas
• Keep records of waste disposal.
More information on BMPs can be found in a separate brochure titled “Best Management Practices for Businesses in the CARA”, and also on this web page.
Hazardous Materials Inventory (HMI)
A Hazardous Materials Inventory (HMI) must be prepared for all existing and new businesses that are located in CARA Class 1 and 2 areas and have hazardous materials. The HMI is a list of all current and anticipated types and quantities of hazardous materials that will be stored, handled or used at a facility.
You are exempt from having to prepare an HMI if you do not have hazardous materials onsite, or your business sells retail containers of 5 gallons or less in size with an inventory of less than 500 gallons.
Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMP)
Businesses are required to submit a Hazardous Materials Management Plan if you store or handle as little as 20 gallons (or 200 pounds) of Hazard Materials that could pose a risk to groundwater. Whether you need to prepare an HMMP will be determined by the City after review of the HMI. The HMMP describes activities at your business that will help prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water by hazardous materials.
The primary elements of an HMMP are as follows:
• Description and floor plans of the facility.
• Listing of all hazardous materials and locations with method of secondary containment.
• Details on how Best Management Practices are being implemented.
Requirements for Construction Activities
The CARA ordinance also contains several other requirements that affect new construction:
1. Construction vehicles.
2. Imported Fill Source Statement.
3. Permitted land uses.
4. Stormwater management.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Public Works Engineering at (425) 837-3400
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