Sole Source Aquifer Q&A

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Sole Source Aquifer

Question:
Must the environmental review for a HUD-assisted project include an evaluation of the impacts to a sole source aquifer or other aquifer?

Answer:
The environmental review must evaluate the potential impact to any sole source aquifer designated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other aquifer when the HUD assisted project is located on or would affect the aquifer. Generally, this requirement applies only to the approval of HUD assistance for new construction, conversion of land use, or acquisition of undeveloped land (24 CFR 58.5(d) or 24 CFR 50.4 (d)). The environmental review must:

1. identified the aquifer,
2. provide a written explanation that is made by a qualified data source as to the effect of the proposed project on the aquifer and the measures to ameliorate the adverse effect (if any),
3. include a copy of any comments received from the EPA and the State or local agency with jurisdiction for protecting the drinking water system, and
4. include a copy of the written responses to such comments.

Protecting Sole Source Aquifers or Other Aquifers

Question:
What is the authority for the requirement to protect sole source aquifers?

Answer:
The Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) Protection Program is authorized by Section 1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 201, 300 et. seq., and 21 U.S.C. 349) that requires protection of drinking water systems that are the sole or principal drinking water source of an area and which, if contaminated, would create a significant hazard to public health. Aquifers are a geological formation, group of formations, or part of formation that is capable of yielding a significant amount of water to a well or spring (40 CFR 149.2).

Information Sources for Protecting Sole Source Aquifers

Question:
Where is information available on sole source aquifers?

Answer:
For a list of EPA-designated sole source aquifers, see the homepage of the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water at their website.