If you live over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the water out of your tap is fresh, clean and envied by so many people who don't have such a pristine drinking water source beneath them. With the population living over the aquifer constantly increasing, protecting the quality of the water is an important job.

Four environmental health specialists at the Panhandle Health District work daily to prevent contamination to the underground water source used by more than 500,000 people in Idaho and Washington.

More than 1,000 businesses that handle chemicals are located on top of the aquifer in Kootenai County. PHD's aquifer protection team visits each of those businesses at least every two years.

"There are all kinds of approaches to regulation," says Ellen Mueller, a member of PHD's aquifer protection team. "I believe in education."

Allan Roberge, another team member, sees himself as a resource.

"The businesses we work with are run by good people," Allan says. "They're as concerned about the aquifer as we are."

The Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer stretches from southern Bonner County through central Kootenai County and into Spokane County.

Businesses with amounts of chemicals and other potential aquifer contaminants that fall below a certain threshold are unregulated but still visited. Regulated businesses typically store chemicals in large enough amounts that appropriate secondary containment is required. Every business is different, so each needs to show how it prevents contamination from reaching the aquifer if its chemicals are released during storage or use.

Past inspection records, notes and photos taken at some sites are kept in a database and studied before each visit. Ellen visits unregulated businesses over the aquifer. In some cases, businesses have changed with new owners, processes and chemicals. Ellen reviews with them the history of the site's chemical management and wastewater disposal practices.

Most business owners manage their chemicals well, but regular visits help assure that recommended practices are followed. Prevention is far less costly than clean-up. Ellen encourages them to consider fewer toxic chemicals and storing them in smaller amounts and she evaluates management of any commercial/industrial waste water generated.

She takes an Aquifer Atlas to each business. The Aquifer Atlas explains the aquifer's history, evolution, water cycle, uses and much more.

"I want them to take ownership of protecting the aquifer," she says. "It's important for them to know what they're protecting."

Most businesses respond well to her educational approach. Many are surprised to learn that the aquifer flows five to 60 feet per day, how vulnerable it is to contamination and how interactive it is with the Spokane River.

"I try to have a positive effect," Ellen says. "Taking the time to explain the uniqueness of our aquifer gets people on board."

Allan is one of three Aquifer Protection team members who visit regulated businesses over the aquifer. He looks for which chemicals they use, how they store the chemicals and maintain the site and any evidence of leaks.

Regulated businesses are required to construct and continually maintain secondary containment systems for all above ground tanks and containers that hold more than five gallons of chemicals.

Every business with large quantities of chemicals has the potential to contaminate the aquifer. Allan evaluates all secondary containment systems for leak potential and checks that the primary container is not leaking into the secondary containment system.

The aquifer team also looks for any discharge of non-domestic wastewater into the environment. Water that carries chemicals such as soaps from vehicle cleaning, pressure washing activities or any diluted chemicals must be directed to a central sewer system for proper treatment.

Business owners know Allan and call him between official visits for information. Like Ellen, he takes Aquifer Atlases on every visit.

"For the most part, people are cooperative," he says. "They think of me as a resource and that's how it should be."

For more on PHD's Aquifer Protection program, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov.

Cynthia Taggart is the public information officer for the Panhandle Health District. She can be reached at [email protected].