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Recognizing that the best way to maintain high quality
drinking water is to prevent contaminants from reaching
drinking water sources, in 1986 the Safe Drinking Water
Act was amended to require states to develop Wellhead
Protection Programs. Through this program, states help
communities to:
- form a local team which will assist with protection
of public supply wells in their area;
- determine the land area which provides water to
public supply wells;
- identify existing and potential sources of contamination;
- manage potential sources of contamination to minimize
their threat to drinking water sources; and
- develop a contingency plan to prepare for an emergency
well closing and to plan for future water supply
needs.
All six New England states began carrying out EPA-approved
Wellhead Protection Programs in 1990. In 1997 the New
England states reported that 62% of community water
systems using ground water (serving 5,037,529 people)
have taken action to protect their sources from contamination.
Through the newer Source
Water Assessment Program many wellhead protection
programs developed in the early 1990's are being updated.
Businesses play an important role in protecting drinking
water sources. To learn about what businesses can do,
click here. To learn
about national efforts to protect drinking water sources
or to learn about publications available from EPA about
drinking water source protection click here .
To learn more about your state's Wellhead Protection
Program in New England, please call your state
wellhead protection program manager or staff
at the EPA Region 1, New England Office.
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