WISH LIST 1. Considered the most lenient in the nation, Virginia's septic systems were never meant to protect groundwater. They were designed to dispose of sewage as quickly as possible, not to treat it by giving soil time to filter out pollutants. Albemarle County has the responsibility and the authority to develop stronger regulations. The proposed Plan includes a recommendation that the County study present regulations and measures for improvements in order to protect groundwater.
Conservation is absolutely necessary.
Forecasts of water supply needs for the County's urban area alone emphasize the necessity of a strong water conservation program. Contribute to the work of the Virginia Division of Mineral Resources Research Center in developing a hydrogeologic base system for Albemarle County for determining how much groundwater is available and for developing a list of watersheds based on development potential. Albemarle County should work with the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority to balance water supply needs with IFS requirements, especially for the Moormans River, and perhaps also for the Rivanna River below the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir's dam. Strongly support the strategies for Biological Diversity, a new section in the Plan. Strongly support Wellhead Protection, a means of preventing groundwater pollution.