1.1 The Background For Source Water Assessment And Protection
Comprehensive regulations designed to protect public drinking water supplies in the United States began with the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1970, was the federal agency charged with administering the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act strengthened the protection of groundwater by requiring states to develop Wellhead Protection Programs. The Wellhead Protection Programs provided guidelines to public water systems for protecting their groundwater supplies from contamination. Wyoming's Wellhead Protection Program was approved by the EPA in September, 1997. Wyoming is the 46th state to have an approved program in place.
The Safe Drinking Water Act was further strengthened in 1996 with the passage of additional amendments requiring states to develop Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs. The Source Water Assessment and Protection Program builds upon the Wellhead Protection Program and expands the concept to protect all sources of drinking water. Source Water Assessment and Protection applies to public water systems using surface water, groundwater, or combinations of surface water and groundwater.
1.2 Wyoming's Goals For The Source Water Assessment and Protection Program
The Source Water Assessment and Protection Program is a two-part program. First, assessments of public drinking water supplies will be completed. Secondly, Source Water Protection Plans can be developed with the information provided by the assessments. This enables the public water systems to protect the water supply.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) views Source Water Protection Plans as a means to ensure the long-term safety of drinking water resources in Wyoming. In addition to protecting public health, Source Water Protection Plans may reduce monitoring requirements for public water systems. DEQ is currently working with the EPA to develop a monitoring waiver program for Wyoming public water systems. An approved Source Water Protection Plan will likely be required for most waivers.
The first part of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program is to complete a source water assessment for all public water systems. Wyoming is the only state that does not have primacy, or responsibility, for administering the Safe Drinking Water Act. Consequently, Wyoming is the only state not required to complete a source water assessment on all public water systems within the state. The DEQ is committed to completing a source water assessment for each public water system that requests one. However, assessing all communities and public water systems that rely on surface water will be the highest priorities.
The completion of a source water assessment involves four steps. The first step is to determine a source water area for each public water system. Second, sources of contamination within this source water area that have the potential to affect the drinking water supply will be identified. Third, the susceptibility of the water supply to contamination by each of these potential sources of contamination will be evaluated. The fourth step is to write an assessment report. Assessment reports contain a summary of all the information gathered during the assessment in a format that is useful to the public. Each public water system that requested an assessment will receive a copy of the assessment report for their system. Availability of these assessment reports will be publicized.
The second part of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program promotes the development of Source Water Protection Plans. These plans will be similar to Wellhead Protection Plans. A Source Water Protection Plan is developed by community members and outlines the measures that the community or public water system believe are appropriate to protect their drinking water supply. These measures may include management plans, clean up efforts, or zoning changes. Source Water Protection Plans will be approved by DEQ in a manner similar to the process currently used to approve Wellhead Protection Plans. DEQ will strongly encourage public water systems to request assessments and develop Source Water Protection Plans.
1.3 Timetable For The Source Water Assessment And Protection Program
The final State Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Guidance was published by the EPA in August of 1997. The state guidance document indicated that all states must submit a draft Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Plan within 18 months of August 1997. DEQ submitted a draft Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Plan to the EPA for approval in early February, 1999.
The EPA is allowed nine months to review and approve all draft program plans. Once the program plans are approved, each state will have two years to complete all source water assessments. The EPA state guidance, however, allows states to request an 18 month extension. DEQ is requesting the 18 month extension, as are most states, due to the limited financial and personnel resources available. With the 18 month extension, source water assessments in Wyoming must be completed by May of 2003.
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Glossary |
Acronyms
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Wyoming's Source
Water Assessment Guidance Document Contents