The term "Source Water" is used to define drinking water in its original environment, either as surface water (rivers, streams, reservoirs, lakes) or as groundwater (aquifers), before being withdrawn, treated, and distributed by a water system.
Source Water Protection (SWP) is the act of preventing contaminants from entering public drinking water sources. SWP includes a wide variety of actions and activities aimed at safeguarding, maintaining, or improving the quality and/or quantity of sources of drinking water and their contributing areas. These activities may depend on the type of source being protected (e.g., groundwater, reservoir, or river).
In 1996 Congress amended the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act to include Source Water Protection for Public Water Supplies (PWS). Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources initiated a SWP Program at that time, the program now provides a basic SWP Phase 1 Report for all Iowa Municipal Water Supplies. The program also now partners with USDA-NRCS, USDA-FSA, EPA, Iowa Dept. of Ag and Land Stewardship, among others, to assist public water supplies in development of their PWS’s SWP Phase 2 Plan. Implementing a viable SWP Phase 2 Plan can decrease economic and environmental risks for a public water supply.
Access your public water supply information: Iowa DNR Source Water Protection Tracker
Environmental Protection Agency SWP information: https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection
The American Water Works Association has partnered with USDA to provide additional program funding for SWP for areas within a public water supply’s wellhead capture zone area. The two available USDA programs to support SWP practices are the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). USDA has prioritized 10% of all EQIP funds for SWP. EPA 319 watershed funding is also available for SWP efforts in Winneshiek County.
Currently, Winneshiek SWCD supports SWP efforts with the Spillville Municipal Water Supply and the Decorah Municipal Water Supply. Starting in 2024, SWP assistance in the Trout Run Watershed project will be initiated. Our SWCD commissioners and watershed project coordinators can assist with development and implementation of SWP efforts. The Winneshiek County SWCD has three watershed project coordinators who can assist landowners with SWP efforts.
SWP Video Links
