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Sole Source Aquifers
Related Information
Sole Source Aquifer designation is one tool to protect drinking water supplies in areas with few or no alternative sources to the ground water resource, and where if contamination occurred, using an alternative source would be extremely expensive. The designation protects an area's ground water resource by requiring EPA to review all proposed projects within the designated area that will receive federal financial assistance. All proposed projects receiving federal funds are subject to review to ensure they do not endanger the ground water source.
EPA defines a sole or principal source aquifer as one which supplies at least fifty percent (50%) of the drinking water consumed in the area overlying the aquifer. These areas can have no alternative drinking water source(s) which could physically, legally, and economically supply all those who depend upon the aquifer for drinking water. For convenience, all designated sole or principal source aquifers are referred to as "sole source aquifers" (SSA).
If you are interested in petitioning the EPA to make a designation, please consult the Sole Source Aquifer Program Petitioner's Guidance or contact EPA for assistance.
DESIGNATED SOLE SOURCE AQUIFERS
| State | Name | Federal Register | Date | GIS Map | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | Buried Valley Aquifers, Central Basin, Essex and Morris Counties | 45 FR 30537 | 05/08/80 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ | Upper Rockaway River Basin | 49 FR 2946 | 01/24/84 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ | Ridgewood Area Aquifers | 49 FR 2943 | 01/24/84 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ/NY | Highlands Aquifer System Passaic,Morris & Essex Co's NJ; Orange Co. NY | 52 FR 37213 | 10/05/87 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ/DE/PA | New Jersey Coastal Plain Aquifer System | 53 FR 23791 | 06/24/88 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ/NY | New Jersey Fifteen Basin Aquifers | 53 FR 23685 | 06/23/88 | Yes | Yes |
| NJ/NY | Ramapo River Basin Aquifer Systems | 57 FR 39201 | O8/28/92 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Nassau/Suffolk Co., Long Island | 43 FR 26611 | 06/21/78 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Kings/Queens Counties | 49 FR 2950 | 01/24/84 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Schenectady/Niskayuna | 50 FR 2022 | 01/14/85 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Clinton Street-Ballpark Valley Aquifer System, Broome and Tioga Co's | 50 FR 2025 | 01/14/85 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Cattaraugus Creek Basin Aquifer, WY & Allegany Cos. | 52 FR 36100 | 09/25/87 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Cortland-Homer-Preble Aquifer System | 53 FR 22045 | 06/13/88 | Yes | Yes |
| NY | Northern Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer | 71 FR 64524 | 11/02/06 | Yes | Yes |
