Source Water Assessment and Protection | Region 8

Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP)

As a continuing effort to protect drinking water sources from contamination, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996 were enacted with a new emphasis on public right-to-know and preventing pollution of the source of a water supply. The SDWA amendments require individual states to take the lead in developing and implementing Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Programs.

A Source Water Assessment, completed by the State or the public water system, is a tool to provide a public water system, its customers, and the public with information needed to make source water protection decisions. The assessment identifies the area of the watershed or aquifer from which a public water system´s drinking water is drawn, including those areas most critical for protection. The assessment then identifies possible sources of contaminants that could affect the water´s quality, and how likely they are to cause a problem.

Public water systems that supply communities must report their assessment results in their annual water quality report (consumer confidence report) to their customers. Many States, including most in Region 8, are also posting assessment results on their web sites. Most initial Source Water Assessments should be complete by the end of 2003.

Communities and water systems may use their assessment as a basis for plans to manage possible threats to their drinking water source´s quality. Source Water Protection focuses on managing possible sources of contaminants to prevent pollution of drinking water supplies, and planning for emergencies. Source Water Protection is up to local communities, and is voluntary in most Region 8 States. The Source Water Protection umbrella covers a wide variety of activities, including well head protection programs, a watershed approach, the use of permits, local land use ordinances or zoning, and/or public education. State and federal agencies may be important partners in these local efforts.

Protect Drinking Water Sources

participate in community activities to protect your drinking water

How can you help protect your sources of drinking water?

Public participation is important to the State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs. These programs help you protect your water sources. Here are a few things you can do to ensure safe drinking water:

The States SWAP plan documents are available to the public. Most States have posted their SWAP plans on their Internet sites (links below), or the State may send you a copy.
Get involved in State or local SWAP activities. Your State may need volunteers to help protect water sources.
Remember: Everyone's opinion counts when protecting our priceless watersheds and groundwater aquifers!

SWAP Related Links

Find out what your State is doing to assess and protect sources of drinking water

Find more information on SWAP from the following links

EPA Region 8 SWAP Related Links:

Tribal SWAP links:

Drinking Water Quality in Indian Country: Protecting the Sources

Headquarters SWAP links:

Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Contacts

U.S. EPA Region 8

Gregory Oberley
U.S. EPA Region 8 (8EPR-EP)
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129
Phone: (303) 312-7043
Fax: (303) 312-6897
E-mail: oberley.gregory@epa.gov

State Program Contacts