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<br />7A - ATTACHMENT NO.3 <br />Saltworks Proposal- Water Group Summary Report (22 January 2010) Page 37 <br /> <br />elevated aluminum and arsenic concentrations in the sample. The reverse osmosis <br />treatment proposed for onsite groundwater would likely be effective in reducing <br />excessive TOS, chloride, iron, manganese, and arsenic to potable water standards. <br /> <br />Recognizing that limited pumping from existing wells could promote lateral, downward, <br />and/or upward migration of poor quality water, an evaluation of detectable saltwater or <br />brine impacts underlying the site was performed using geochemical methods. The <br />evaluation used the available water quality data for major and minor ions for the three <br />samples from near-site wells (Bayport No.1 in 1991 and Pacific Shores Nos. 1 and 2 in <br />1993; see Table 6). Standard water quality data for seawater and for brine (Hem, 1988) <br />also were obtained for comparison, as was water quality data from two deep monitoring <br />wells in Palo Alto. As a basic data quality control measure, the water quality data were <br />examined for the charge balance of reaction error between the major cations and anions <br />(see Mazor, 1991); this measure revealed that accuracy of the water quality data from <br />the local wells is poor. Nonetheless, the analysis did not indicate the presence of brine <br />or the initiation of saltwater intrusion in existing wells for that time period. <br /> <br />3.5.2 Unresolved Issues Regarding Groundwater as Source of Supply <br />Since site-specific wells and aquifer testing are not available for the Saltworks site, <br />several unresolved issues remain regarding the feasibility of a groundwater supply for <br />the Saltworks project. Issues are related to both the quantity and the quality of the <br />resource and include the ability of onsite production wells to provide sufficient yield, the <br />long-term sustainability of such a groundwater supply, groundwater quality concerns, <br />and the potential for subsidence and/or liquefaction. <br /> <br />3.5.2.1 Groundwater Quantity (Well Yields and Sustainability) <br /> <br />OMB's initial proposed reliance on groundwater (as source of potable supply) of up to <br />700 AFY is equivalent to 1.92 acre feet per day (AF/day) or 434 gallons per minute <br />(gpm) operating 24 hours per day. Recommended pumping cycles would likely be 18 <br />hours per day (0.75 day) resulting in a required well yield of 579 gpm to meet the annual <br />requirement. In addition, daily peak pumping demands can be much higher, up to about <br />1.5 times greater than the average daily demand, or about 870 gpm. This daily peak <br />demand can be decreased if water storage facilities are planned for the project. <br />Nonetheless, this pumping rate requirement is high compared to what may be capable <br />for the site, as described below. <br /> <br />The recommended yield of a production well is a balanced compromise between the <br />available drawdown, operating parameters, well and aquifer characteristics, and <br />groundwater recharge. The available drawdown is the vertical distance between the <br />SWL and the top of the well screen. The recommended drawdown is two-thirds (2/3) the <br />available drawdown or 100 feet whichever is less. The 1/3 safety factor allows for <br />unanticipated or unknown fluctuations in water level elevations due to tidal influences, <br />seasonal fluctuations, interference from other wells, well aging and deterioration, and <br />barrier boundaries. The 100-foot limitation prevents over-pumping from the aquifer, <br />reduces near-well pressure changes that affect geochemical reactions and, generally, <br />increases the longevity of the well. The recommended drawdown in feet is then <br />multiplied by the SC24 to provide an estimate of well yield. These calculations indicate <br />that the recommended yields from the wells summarized in Table 5 range from 20 gpm <br />(Maggiora test Well 3) to 240 gpm (Maggiora Well 2). The average is about 120 gpm, <br />while the median is 110 gpm. Collectively, these data indicate that more than one well <br /> <br />30 <br />