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the ground-water aquifer, it is possible that any remaining surface contaminants may be <br /> transported to the first saturated zone of the aquifer. <br /> Sources of Nitrate <br /> Dairies, orchards that require fertilization in sandy soils, and septic systems have been <br /> found to be the most significant sources of nitrate in ground water. <br /> Percolating Recharge Waters <br /> One of the most determinant factors in the Hantzsche and Finnemore equation is the <br /> rate of recharge from percolating waters, which mix with the downward-percolating <br /> effluent generated by on-site septic systems. In the original Hantzsche and Finnemore <br /> paper, only "average recharge rate of rainfall" was considered. For the Chico area, <br /> Hantzsche and Finnemore present an average rainfall of 22.5 inches per year and an <br /> estimated recharge of 16.8 inches per year. <br /> Based on San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department policy (personal <br /> communication, March 18, 2019), the recharge input for the Hantzsche and Finnemore <br /> equation should be derived from average monthly precipitation of rainfall and <br /> evapotranspiration rates for the area; the data should be obtained from the California <br /> Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS). Recharge is calculated by first <br /> determining whether the average monthly precipitation exceeds average monthly <br /> potential evapotranspiration. If so, then the difference is the percolating recharge water <br /> into the aquifer. Runoff and stream infiltration drainage are not factored into the <br /> calculation. This approach likely under-estimates recharge to the aquifer and, <br /> consequently, over-estimates nitrate loading. <br /> For the project Site, the local precipitation and evapotranspiration rates are presented in <br /> Plate 15. The closest CIMIS station to the Site is Ripon (station 249). Data for the <br /> Ripon station were available for 2017 and 2018; based on the calculation shown, the <br /> estimated rate of recharge from percolating waters for the Ripon station is determined to <br /> be :3.12 inches (Plate 14). A statistical error of 46 percent is associated with this value. <br /> The nitrate concentration of the recharge waters was estimated to be 1 mg/L-N <br /> (Hantzsche and Finnemore). <br /> Quantity and Quality of Domestic Wastewater <br /> An existing four-bedroom house is located on the Site, as well as the proposed off-site <br /> wine cellar. <br /> The Roddans indicated that the facility will be open 59 days per year. During that time, <br /> up to 49 wine tasting events will take place, attended by up to 80 customers each day. <br /> Marketing events will take place the remaining 10 days, attended by up to 130 <br /> LOGE 1908 Page 10 <br />