(1) Designation. Critical aquifer recharge areas are geographical areas which contain hydrogeologic conditions that provide recharge to one or more aquifers that are a current or potential potable water source and, due to their geological properties, are highly susceptible to the introduction of pollutants, or because of special circumstances, have been designated by Clallam County as a critical aquifer recharge area in accordance with WAC 365-190-080. All lands and shorelands classified as having high aquifer recharge potential and aquifer susceptibility are hereby designated as areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water. 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 wellhead protection areas for Class A water systems. A wellhead protection area is the surface and subsurface area surrounding a well or wellfield 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.

(2) Mapping. Critical aquifer recharge areas shall be delineated on maps available at the Clallam County Department of Community Development.

(3) 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 groundwater monitoring data, wellhead protection areas, depth to groundwater, topography (i.e., slopes), and locally adopted groundwater 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.