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Sources of Nitrate <br /> Septic systems and dairies have been found to be the most significant sources of nitrate <br /> in ground water. Orchards that require fertilization in sandy soils are also a significant <br /> source of nitrate contamination in shallow or sandy aquifers in San Joaquin County. <br /> Contribution of Rainfall <br /> An estimate of the quantity and quality of rainfall was required for the nitrate loading <br /> analysis. The Hantzsche and Finnemore method utilizes the "average recharge rate of <br /> rainfall" in calculating potential nitrate impacts to the aquifer. Not all rainfall will <br /> percolate into the aquifer; evapotranspiration, the sum of evaporation and plant <br /> transpiration, will significantly reduce percolating effluent, especially in summer months. <br /> Rainfall recharge (deep percolation of rain) is a significant factor in the nitrate loading <br /> estimate; however, data on rainfall recharge rates are not widely available. Hantzsche <br /> and Finnemore present average rainfall versus estimated rainfall recharge data for three <br /> locations in California: <br /> Table 3: Rainfall Data Cited by Hantzsche and Finnemore, 1992 <br /> Bolinas Mesa Area Chico Area Baywood/Los Dsos <br /> Average rainfall 30.9 22.5 20.0 <br /> (in/yr) <br /> Estimated rainfall 14.4 16.8 12.0 <br /> recharge (in/yr) <br /> Rainfall recharge as <br /> percentage of 46.6% 74.7% 60.0% <br /> average rainfall` <br /> "Calculated by Live Oak <br /> In these locations, the rainfall recharge is calculated to be 46.6, 60.0, and 74.7 percent <br /> of average rainfall. The Chico area is the most similar geologically to the current project <br /> area. For the purpose of this report, Live Oak has selected 75 percent of rainfall to <br /> represent the estimated rainfall recharge for the project area. <br /> Rainfall data for the Acampo area was obtained from the Western Regional Climate <br /> Center. The Elliott station (040010), the closest station to the Site, reports the average <br /> total annual precipitation from July 1926 through May 2016 to be 18.27 inches. By <br /> assuming 75 percent of this precipitation percolates to the aquifer, the value of 13.70 <br /> inches average recharge of rainfall is obtained. <br /> LOGE 1729 Page 9 <br />