Safe Drinking Water Begins at the Source

Providing protection for water supplies. Source Water Protection has been a growing concern for many municipalities and community water systems. To help protect Pennsylvania’s drinking water, the Department of Environmental Protection created the Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program (SWPTAP). This program provides funding and expertise to develop a Source Water Protection Plan. Community water systems that participate receive free assistance in delineating protection zones, developing strategies for managing the protection areas, and planning for the future.

It is a voluntary program that benefits water systems with groundwater wells, springs, reservoirs, river intakes, or any combination of these water sources.

All types of community water systems are eligible to participate in SWPTAP including municipal, authority, water associations, and investor-owned (private) systems throughout the Commonwealth. With over 400 community water systems participating, this highly successful and effective program is entering its 13th year.

In conjunction with PADEP, SSM assists water systems in developing source water protection plans. Professional geologists and environmental specialists delineate protective zones around each well or surface water intake to show the areas that contribute to the drinking water supply. We engage water supplier and community representatives to identify ways of protecting these areas. Our team identifies potential sources of contamination, develops protective management strategies, plans for emergencies, and identifies new water supply options. Our ultimate goal is to protect the source for future generations.

Speak like a Water Resource Specialist

Now that you’re an expert on the value of water quality - it’s time you sound like one too! Which words do you remember learning in science class?

Aquifer - An aquifer is a layer of rock with openings that allow liquids and gases to pass through. This is how wells work - the openings allow the water to enter into drilled wells underground.

Best Management Practices (BMP) - These are practices that help to decrease negative impacts on water quality. We want everyone to be utilizing BMPs!

Evapotranspiration - This is when moisture is transferred from the earth to the atmosphere through two avenues - evaporation and transpiration.

Infiltration - This activity is when the water that falls saturates into plants and vegetation. As development continues to increase, we need to be more intentional about allowing infiltration to occur.

Potential Sources Of Contamination (PSOC) - This frequently refers to areas in which pose risks to contamination of water sources. Having a database of PSOCs allows water authorities and other relevant parties to have contingency plans in place and to develop barriers and systems to defend against these potential contaminants.

Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) - These are those special defenses against contaminants. SCMs are designed to remove pollutants and control stormwater runoff.

Watershed - A watershed is the entire area of land that feeds one specific body of water. So - any land that goes into the Schuylkill River is that watershed. Why does that matter? Remember how important it is to understand what contaminants are reaching water sources, and how those contaminants are getting there. We use watersheds to do that.

Clean Drinking Water: It’s not as simple as turning on the faucet.

Where does drinking water come from?

The quick and easy answer to this question is - either a body of water or an underground water source. What does that mean? An underground source, like a well, fills with groundwater (that’s what we call water in the ground). When groundwater like rain or snow soaks into the ground, it creates an “aquifer”- allowing the well to fill. Bodies of water, on the other hand, include streams, rivers, and lakes. Unlike underground sources that rely on groundwater, these water body sources are reliant on air, rain, and water that flows down to the source.

Remember… we said that was the quick and easy answer. So, what about everything else? The truth is a lot goes into making sure you get that refreshing and clean glass of water. We have to make sure to protect those underground aquifers and those above ground bodies of water. This means doing our part to eliminate contaminants - a job for all of us!

The issue of contaminants - the obvious and the not so obvious.

Think about that rain we mentioned - it’s what flows to our bodies of waters and also soaks into the ground. That’s right, rain and stormwater has a direct path into your drinking water. So, you want to do everything you can to keep that water as pure and clean as possible. (Think: eliminating health risks. Think: saving money on water treatment.) When rain falls onto homes and buildings it “runs off” the buildings instead of infiltrating into the ground and vegetation. It runs off the buildings and begins to make its way to our bodies of water - taking any pollutants and contaminants it finds along the way. (Think - pet waste, cigarette butts, fertilizers, oil, sediment, and so much more.) Rain that falls on undeveloped properties typically “infiltrates” straight into the soil or “evapotranspires” back into the atmosphere.

Developing neighborhoods and communities isn’t all bad news though. But being aware of the impact it has on water quality is an important piece of it all. As members of neighborhoods and communities - and (newly appointed) experts in water quality - you have an opportunity to take a role in preventing stormwater runoff from accruing too many pollutants before it makes it to our water sources. More on that later (See page 2: Protecting Water Quality: There’s a lot You Can Do to Help). Remember, even if you cannot see a body of water, your stormwater still carries pollutants through the storm drains!

There’s also a “big picture” issue of contaminants as well. This is where we usually come in. Using GIS technology, we work with water authorities to locate potential sources of contamination near and around water sources. (Think - oil tank storage sites or farms with regular animal waste.) Locating these potential sources of contamination as well as managing them through databases and calculating their risks all allow the water system to flow effectively and efficiently. An oil leak is not as scary when we are prepared and aware. In many cases, the community you live in, shop in, or work in have all been designed with management of stormwater in mind.

Protecting Water Quality: There’s a lot You Can Do to Help.

There are many reasons to take a role in protecting water quality and there are many ways to do it. 

1.   Think - less is more. Try to limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides. Remember, yard waste swept into storm drains or the street will all be collected by stormwater runoff and will make its way into our water sources.  

2.   Consider different ways for your rain to be collected. Instead of your rain gutter going into the road or driveway where it can easily pick up pollutants, adjust your gutter to the grass - allowing a direct opportunity for that water to infiltrate into the soil. Or - you can even consider a rain barrel or DIY rain garden. A quick search online will show you some tips!

3.   The most important thing you can do is stay informed and stay conscious! Be mindful of your impact on the world and take the small steps you can to help protect our water sources. Do it for the animals who need high water quality to survive. Do it for the money - because the less treatment required means more money in your pocket. Do it for the future - because protecting water resources will preserve our ecosystem and improve the quality of life for future generations. Whatever your reason may be - just make sure you do it!

What’s the To-Do with Dog Poo?

When you leave your pet waste on the grass or sidewalk, or when you improperly dispose of pet waste through storm or street drains - you could be contributing to low water quality and water pollution.

Remember everything you’ve learned about stormwater? Let’s think about that next to pet waste. When we leave our pet’s waste in the yard, on sidewalks, or even dump it down the storm drain - we’re offering it an almost direct path to our sacred water sources.

Once it’s in the water, pet waste can do a number of damaging things to our water quality and to our aquatic life! The decaying process uses up a lot of oxygen in lakes or streams. (Remember - oxygen is what those underwater animals need to live!)

Pet waste can also cause some of those waters to become quite gross looking. With excess pet waste comes excess weed and algae growth. You know what that
means - cloudy and green water.

We also know that pet waste carries an awful lot of diseases and bacteria. Many that we don’t want in our water, and certainly not in our bodies.

Keeping our water bodies clean and free of toxic materials allows us to continue to stay safe from public health risks, large water bills, and mucky boating trips. What will you do it for?

Ready to pick-up and protect our water quality? Click here or email ‘Send me a Pet Bag Dispenser!’ with your name/address to information@ssmgroup.com