![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511071732im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Source Water Assessment and Protection
Source water protection is designed to protect all public drinking water supplies, whether they are served by ground water or surface water sources. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Source Water Assessment and Protection Program, which was created by the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, builds on the Wellhead Protection Program approach to protecting ground water.
A source water assessment report contains, at a minimum, the following steps:
- Delineation - Delineation of the source water assessment area
- Inventory - Inventory of potential sources of contamination
- Susceptibility - Determination of the susceptibility of the water supply to contamination
If you purchase your drinking water, you may have read about the source water assessment that was completed for your source of drinking water in the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). These reports are mailed to customers with the water bill and tell where the drinking water comes from, detected minerals and other compounds, and how to help protect it.
Source water protection is the next logical step following the completion of a source water assessment. Source water protection means preventing contamination and reducing the need for treatment of drinking water supplies. Source water protection also means taking positive steps to manage potential sources of contamination and developing contingency plans that list alternate sources of drinking water.
Protection of Our Drinking Water is Everyone's Business
The information in the source water assessment reports can be used to develop a source water protection or watershed protection plan. Citizen involvement is the key to conserving and protecting the precious resource.
To become actively involved in protecting your source of drinking water, to learn more about State Source water programs across the country, or to obtain a copy of the assessment reports, visit the State Offices within Region 4 or across the nation.
Outreach materials, guidance documents and various protection tools have been developed to assist citizens and businesses learn more about best management practices that aim to shield their water resources from human actives that degrade water quality.
Special educational materials have also been specifically designed for students and teachers.