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Source Water Protection |  |
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State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs Final GuidanceAugust 6, 1997 Dear Friends; One year ago, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996. Today, I am pleased to present to you the Source Water Assessment and Protection Guidance for States to implement the source water provisions of that law. The 1996 Amendments initiated a new era in cost-effective prevention of drinking water contamination, and in State flexibility and citizen involvement in drinking water programs. This guidance reflects EPA's commitment to those values as we implement our new responsibilities. The guidance addresses the law's requirement that States identify the areas that are sources of public drinking water, assess water systems' susceptibility to contamination, and inform the public of the results. Funding is available through the recently created Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Completed assessments can be used to focus resources on protecting drinking water sources. Assessment is one of the law's key prevention initiatives, which can provide information vital to the success of new regulatory flexibility for States and water systems. In source water assessments as in many other provisions, the law now reflects the principle of public information and involvement. EPA has recognized the importance of this principle in our extensive stakeholder processes used to develop this guidance and to carry out our other responsibilities. Similarly, much of the flexibility States are given, in assessments and elsewhere, must be guided by public involvement. Through source water assessments and consumer confidence reports, water systems will inform the public about their drinking water, and can then engage consumers, States, and upstream neighbors in partnerships to do what needs to be done in treatment or prevention. Many States, water suppliers, and other public and private organizations and individuals have already protected their drinking water supplies, particularly through wellhead and watershed protection programs. I want to recognize and thank the participants in these vital efforts. I urge you to lend your unique expertise to the national challenge of source water protection, and encourage all interested citizens to join in partnerships to protect our precious drinking water. Thank you for your commitment to safe drinking water. Sincerely
Carol Browner
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