Source water protection should be a critical part of all community water programs. In the past, water suppliers used most of their resources to treat water from rivers, lakes, and underground sources of drinking water before supplying it to our homes as drinking water. Now, we understand that if we place greater emphasis on protecting our sources of drinking water, the need for treatment can be reduced. Mapping the locations of potential sources of drinking water contamination. Public water supply systems that use surface water and that have filtration treatment are eligible to participate.
Many communities are in the process of implementing source water protection programs.
Your local water supplier can tell you whether your community has a source water protection program. Source water protection works by involving all members of the community. Citizens can voice their support for controlling how land is used near drinking water intakes. Citizens can also educate their neighbors about the danger that household chemicals pose to drinking water supplies. Many communities sponsor household hazardous waste disposal days to promote proper handling of waste paints and thinners, pesticides, used oil, and other hazardous materials.