EPA
April 1989
Forward
The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) established a new Wellhead Protection (WHP) Program to protect ground waters that supply wells and wellfields that contribute drinking water to public water supply systems. Under SDWA Section 1428 each State must develop a WHP Program that consists of several elements.
At a minimum, each State’s WHP Program
must:
- Specify roles and duties of State agencies, local government entities, and public water suppliers, with respect to WHP Programs
- Delineate the wellhead protection area (WHPA) for each wellhead
- Identify sources of contaminants within each WHPA
- Develop management approaches to protect the water supply within WHPAS from such contaminants
- Develop contingency plans for each public water supply system to respond to well or wellfield contamination
- Site new wells properly to maximize yield and minimize potential contamination; and
- Ensure public participation.
The Wellhead Protection Program requires the participation of all levels of government. The Federal government is responsible for approving State Wellhead Protection Programs and for providing technical support to State and local governments. States must develop and implement Wellhead Protection Programs that meet therequirements of the SDWA Amendments. While
the responsibilities of local governments depend upon the particular requirements of their State’s Wellhead Protection Program, localities are often in the best position to implement measures to ensure that wellhead areas are properly protected from contamination. Local governments typically implement zoning decisions, develop land-use plans, oversee building and fire codes, implement health requirements, supply water and sewer services, and enforce police powers. Each of these local powers may be used to protect the quality of local aquifers.
Local cities and counties are also often the innovators in developing wellhead protection programs by applying combinations of management techniques (e.g., zoning and source prohibitions) to meet unique local conditions. Localities often protect ground water as part of larger projects,
such as developing growth management plans or economic development efforts. In close cooperation with regional, State, and Federal agencies, local governments can take positive steps to protect their wellhead areas.
Because of the importance of local efforts to protect ground water, EPA has prepared this Technical Assistance Document. In general, this document is directed at the fourth program element noted above, the management of
contaminant sources within WHP areas. More specifically, it shows how local governments, such as cities and counties, have developed innovative
and effective wellhead protection programs, even with limited resources and expertise. The document describes ways in which local governments may develop such programs, discusses potential management tools, and provides examples of local programs around the country.
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