The intent of this section is to provide water quality protection associated with aquifer recharge areas through the regulation of land use activities that pose a potential contaminant threat or could increase the vulnerability of the aquifer.
(Ord. 2025-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)
A critical aquifer recharge area (CARA) is a geographic area with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water, including areas where an aquifer that is a source of drinking water is vulnerable to contamination that would affect the potability of the water, or is susceptible to reduced recharge (WAC 365-190-030). CARAs are established according to the following categories:
A. 
Wellhead Protection Zones.
1. 
The area inside the one-year time of travel zone for Group A water system supply wells, calculated in accordance with the Washington State Well-head Protection Program.
2. 
For Group A water system supply wells, five-year time of travel zones in wellhead protection areas are also included as critical aquifer recharge areas when the well draws its water from an aquifer that is at or above sea level and is overlain by permeable soils listed in subsection (B)(1) of this section, without an underlying protective impermeable layer.
B. 
Aquifer Recharge Areas of Concern. Aquifer recharge areas of concern (ARAC) are those areas which provide recharge to current or potential potable water supplies and are vulnerable to contamination, and meet any one of the following criteria:
1. 
Highly Permeable Soils. Soils that have relatively high permeability and high infiltration potential may provide for groundwater recharge, but also may enhance transfer of contaminants from the surface to groundwater.
The general location and characteristics of soils are identified in the Soil Survey of Kitsap County. The following soil types are considered to have relatively high permeability and are aquifer recharge areas of concern:
Table 16.20.510.A—Soil Types
Soil Type
Soil Map Units
Grove
11, 12, 13
Indianola
18, 19, 20, 21
Neilton
34, 35, 36
Norma
37, 38
Poulsbo/Ragner
41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47
2. 
Areas Above Shallow Principal Aquifers. Surface areas above shallow principal aquifers which are not separated from the underlying aquifers by an impermeable layer that provides adequate protections to preclude the proposed land use from contaminating the shallow aquifer(s) below.
3. 
Areas with High Concentration of Group B Water System Wells and Private Domestic Wells. Locations with well concentrations of thirty-six map units or more within a one-mile radius of the proposed land use.
(Ord. 2025-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)
A. 
Wellhead Protection Zones. Land uses identified in Table 16.20.515 shall require a hydrogeological report (see Section 700 of this chapter, Special Reports). The hydrogeological report shall include a detailed risk-benefit analysis that considers credible, worst-case scenarios, and shall evaluate potential impacts of a proposed land use or activity on both groundwater and surface water quality. Uses listed in Table 16.20.515 may only be permitted where the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed activity will not cause contaminants to enter the aquifer and that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the recharging of groundwater.
1. 
Land uses or activities for new development that pose a significant hazard to the city’s groundwater resources are prohibited and include (but are not limited to): landfills, wood treatment facilities, chrome platers, tank farms, facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste, and chemical facilities that transfer or use large amounts of chemicals.
B. 
Aquifer Recharge Areas of Concern.
1. 
Applicants proposing operations that pose a potential threat to groundwater as listed in Table 16.20.515 in aquifer recharge areas of concern may be required to submit a hydrogeological report (see Section 700 of this chapter, Special Reports). The scope of the report shall be based on site-specific conditions.
2. 
The need for additional information will be determined by the department, the health district and the affected water purveyor. Based on the results of the report, controls, mitigation, and/or other requirements will be established as a prerequisite for the development proposal being approved.
C. 
Notification and Review.
1. 
Affected water purveyors, tribes and the Kitsap County health district will be notified and invited to comment during the preliminary phases of the city’s review process on the proposed land use and potential impacts. The purveyor may recommend appropriate mitigation to reduce potential impacts. The department will consider these recommendations to develop appropriate permit conditions.
2. 
The department will also notify the health district and affected water purveyors through the environmental review process, when those development activities listed in Table 16.20.515 are proposed out-side the areas designated critical aquifer recharge areas.
D. 
Stormwater.
1. 
Stormwater treatment and infiltration shall be required where soils permit and is determined feasible.
2. 
Low impact development best management practices (BMP) are required for smaller developments exempted from requirements to construct stormwater facilities.
E. 
Uses Requiring County, State or Federal Approval. Applicants shall provide the department with documentation of compliance with county, state and/or federal regulations associated with uses listed in Table 16.20.515.
Table 16.20.515—Activities with Potential Threat to Groundwater
*Note: Some uses may not be allowed by Title 18, Zoning.
Above and below ground storage tanks
Hazardous material storage
Animal feed lots
Commercial operations
Gas stations/service stations/truck terminals
Petroleum distributors/storage
Auto body repair shops/rust proofers
Auto chemical supply stores/retailers
Truck, automobile and combustion engine repair shops
Dry cleaners
Photo processors
Auto washers (if not on sewer)
Laundromats (if not on sewer)
Beauty salons (if not on sewer)
Food processors/meat packers/slaughterhouses
Airport maintenance/fueling operation areas
Junk and salvage yards
Storing or processing manure, feed or other agriculture by-products by commercially permitted businesses
Large-scale storage or use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or fertilizers by commercial or agricultural operations
Deep injection wells
Wastewater disposal wells
Oil and gas activity disposal wells
Mineral extraction disposal wells
Industrial operations
Furniture strippers/painters/finishers
Concrete/asphalt/tar/coal companies
Industrial manufacturers: chemicals, pesticides/herbicides, paper, leather products, textiles, rubber, plastic/fiberglass, silicone/glass, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, sawmills
Boat refinishers
Land application
Wastewater application (spray irrigation)
Wastewater by-product (sludge) application
Petroleum refining waste application
Materials stockpiles
Mining and mine drainage
On-site septic system
Of greater than 14,500 gpd capacity without pretreatment
Sand and gravel mining operations
(Ord. 2025-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)