Source Water Protection Grant (Surface Water)

Planning Team

Form a local SWP team, a collection of not less than three persons whose purpose is to facilitate the development, implementation, and maintenance of a SWP Program on a local level.  Ideally, the team should include a representative from the Public Water System (PWS) and representative from a community served by the PWS.

Areas of Concern, and Source Water

Conduct scientific investigation to develop or improve understanding of hydrology for current or future source water use and development.

Complete a zone of critical concern delineation for new intakes.

Develop and implement a SWAP program for new intakes or incorporate them into an existing SWAP program.

Potential Contaminant Sources (PCSs)

Update PCS inventory by performing all of the following activities: search records to identify present and historical PCSs and land uses that have a potential to impact the source water; conduct general surveys to identify PCSs and land uses that have a potential to impact the source water; map existing and potential sources of contamination within the zone of critical concern, and develop a plan to inspect and update inventory regularly.

Address specific PCSs, by conducting on-site inspection of PCSs that have a potential to impact the source water.

Design and develop an implementation strategy to prevent non-point source pollution in protection areas, such as a house and farm hazardous waste collection program including herbicides, pesticides, paint products, auto and farm implement products, and cleaning agents.

Develop and implement best management practices that reduce the risk of source water contamination.

Management Strategies

Develop and implement management strategies within the protection areas.

Partner with municipality or county government to incorporate a SWP Plan into a comprehensive environmentally-sensitive land use and development planning program.

Develop waste reduction strategies.

Revise existing ordinances, or develop and adopt ordinances specifically designed to protect sources of drinking water.

Establish a program for transferring development rights within a zone of critical concern to land outside of the protection area.

Contingency Plan & Emergency Response Protocol

Enhance or augment existing public water system and/or local agency Emergency Response Plans to address potential incidents that may impact drinking water quality, including written standard operating procedures and mutual aid agreements.

Participate in or initiate an “early-warning” system to identify contamination and alert those who may be affected downstream. 

Develop a contingency plan for providing alternative water supplies in the event of source water contamination.

Public Awareness

Develop, produce, and circulate public participation and/or educational materials that promote awareness and encourage local support of SWP efforts, these materials may include: flyers, billboards, posters, videos, newsletters, workshops, school curriculum, etc.

Develop, prepare, and produce media announcements, such as news releases, newspaper articles and radio announcements.

Conduct educational programs that target identified existing or potential contaminant sources; or link specific pollution issues to local SWP concerns.

Erect signs that identify the zone of critical concern or promote the concept of SWP, such as storm drain stenciling, construction and placement of road signs.

Security Projects

Install fencing, alarms, cameras, locks, and lights to protect wells, intakes, or raw water facilities.  Other structures may be included within fencing, in specific instances where it is clearly indicated doing so is the most prudent means to protect entry to the wellhead or intake.  Fencing gates to allow foot or vehicular access to source are eligible.

Provide a site plan showing intakes, source vulnerability and proposed security features. 

Other

Perform other activities related to source water protection not listed above. To check the eligibility of activities not listed or for guidance, please contact program personnel:

Contact Staff at 304-558-2981