(1) Classification. All Clallam County lands and shorelands shall be classified as having either a high, moderate or low aquifer recharge potential. At a minimum, classification shall be based on soil permeability and recharge potential as described within the soil survey of Clallam County. Where adequate information is available, aquifer recharge potential shall be further classified based on the recharge potential of surficial geologic materials, presence or absence of restrictive layers, surface and ground water monitoring data, well head protection areas, depth to ground water, topography (i.e., slopes), and locally adopted ground water protection plans and studies.

Lands classified as having a high, moderate or low aquifer recharge potential shall also be classified as having a high, moderate or low susceptibility to contamination of an underlying aquifer, respectively. Based on these criteria, the potential for recharging aquifers or transmitting contaminants to the underlying aquifer is greatest where the aquifer is close to the ground surface, where ground surface slopes are minimal, and where the recharge potential of the soils and/or surficial geologic material is greatest.

(2) Designation. All lands and shorelands classified as high aquifer recharge potential and aquifer susceptibility are hereby designated as areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water. These areas shall be delineated on maps available at the Clallam County Department of Community Development. Critical aquifer recharge areas may be designated due to special circumstances, including areas with a high level of susceptibility or vulnerability to contamination, or known well head protection areas for Class A water systems. A well head protection area is the surface and subsurface area surrounding a well or well field that supplies a public water system through which contaminants are likely to pass and eventually reach the water well(s) as designated under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.