£EPA
Region III
EPA 903-B-98-001
 November 1998
   PROTECTING YOUR WATERSHED
             THROUGH A
    SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
        AND PROTECTION PLAN
           A "HOW-TO" WORKBOOK
    FOR COMMUNITIES AND WATERSHED GROUPS
                       EPA Report Collection
                       Regional Center for Environmental Information
                       U.S. EPA Region III
                       Philadelphia, PA 19103

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                                                          I
Regional Center for En\ ironmcntdl lutonnation
            US EPA Region III
               1S50 Arch i>t
          Philadelphia, PA 19103


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Protecting your watershed through a source water assessment and
protection : a "how-to" workbook for communities and watershed groups /
United States Environmental Protection Agency,
1998
EPA 903-6-98-001
48512547
Watershed management—Handbooks, manuals, etc ; Water quality
management—handbooks, manuals, etc ; Water quality— Measurement
40 p. ; 28 cm.
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"EPA 903-6-98-001." "November 1998."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Region III.
Philadelphia, PA :
"How-to" workbook for communities and watershed groups.
1998.
LIBRARY Date Modified
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            Protecting Your Watershed
•      Through A Source Water Assessment
I                and Protection Plan
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I                 A "How To" Workbook
-                         For
•           Communities And Watershed Groups
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|                      United States
                Environmental Protection Agency
•                   Drinking Water Branch (3WP22)
                       1650 Arch Street
                     Philadelphia, PA 19103
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I
 INTRODUCTION

This workbook was developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Spotts Stevens  and McCoy, Inc.
(Reading,  Pennsylvania) as a guide  for  communities and
watershed  groups, with  limited  financial resources, to
develop and implement an assessment and protection plan
for existing and new drinking watersheds.  This publication
is meant  as a workbook,  it is meant for  you to use,
please write in it and mark it up.

Groundwater protection is an important part of source water
protection, but in most cases, groundwater fundamentals
and  groundwater protection  are not  covered  in  this
workbook.  It is recommended that  readers refer  to the
state wellhead protection program for  information regarding
groundwater protection.   Proper implementation  of this
workbook  would include the implementation of a wellhead
protection  plan where applicable.

This workbook has been developed as a companion  to The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidebook  entitled
"State Source Water Assessment and Protection  Programs
Guidance - Final Guidance".

Source water assessment  is achieved through identifying
the  various   components,   influences   and   possible
contamination areas for a  water source.   This  workbook
serves as  a guide for  assessing  a water source and then
providing the proper steps for protection of the source.

The  Safe  Drinking Water  Act  applies to all publicly or
privately owned water systems having more than  15 or
more service connections and/or serving at least 25 people.
Water  systems will be required to meet the 1996 Safe
Drinking Water Act Amendments which have incorporated
source water protection through  the  use  of source water
assessment and protection. The goal of the Environmental
Protection Agency is that "by the year 2005, 50 percent of
the population served by community water  systems will
receive  their water from  systems  with  Source  Water
Protection  (SWP) programs in place under both  Wellhead
Protection  (WHP) and watershed protection programs."

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        AS A WATER PROVIDER OR WATER USER OF A WATERSHED
|           ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OR CONCERNED ABOUT...
                                               YES        NO
           Serving good quality water                    LJ         LJ
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•        •  Receiving good quality water                   LJ         LJ
         •  Protecting your water supply                   LJ         LJ
I        •  Identifying where your water supply comes from       LJ         LJ
         •  Knowing sources of potential contamination          LJ         LJ
•        •  Recognizing management tools for small           LJ         LJ
           drinking water systems
•        •  Avoiding expensive source water treatment          LJ         LJ
         •  Providing low-impact public use for recreation        LJ         LJ
           and education
•        •  Other: 	             D         D
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|             ...AS THESE RELATE TO YOUR COMMUNITY
                             WATERSHED?

I        IF YOU ANSWERED ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS WITH
I                                   A
1                                YES,
|                          PLEASE READ ON.
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I    Cg^OJr*S     WE'RE INTERESTED BUT...
I   U^iir^l^       WHAT CAN WE DO?
I   II  I    ^fjl          WHA T SHOULD WE DO?
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•    TO PROTECT THE SOURCE WATER WE USE FOR...
•           ...drinking
•              ...bathing
•                 ...cooking
•            ^L     ...washing clothes
•            ^^^V       ...recreation
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I    ONE APPROACH IS TO DEVELOP A. . .
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            SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
•           AND PROTECTION PROGRAM
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•                          HOW DO WE DO THIS?
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   THERE ARE 7 BASIC STEPS TO SOURCE WATER
           ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION
    STEP 1 - FORM A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM


    STEP 2 - DELINEATE THE WATERSHED TO BE PROTECTED


    STEP 3 - REVIEW THE ZONING SURROUNDING THE WATERSHED


    STEP 4 - IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS


    STEP 5 - IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION


    STEP 6 - MANAGE THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA


    STEP 7 - PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
ALL SEVEN STEPS REQUIRE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!!
THIS IS THE MOST CRITICAL STEP TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOURCE
WATER ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PLAN.


It may be easier to begin Step 2 first to gain support and awareness through education.


Completing this workbook will put you on the road to protecting your watershed for yourself
and for future generations.
    NOW IS THE TIME TO ACTII

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!       STEP1:
I       GETTING STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY PUNNING TEAM
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    Implementation of a plan requires someone to take action -  WHY NOT YOU!
Once  a need for a watershed  protection  plan is  realized, a  few initial  contacts  and
discussions can quickly locate others with similar interests.  Using the following page, jot
down  names, phone numbers, and addresses  of others you think may be interested in
watershed protection through source water assessment and  protection and... CALL THEM
NOW!!
      WHO SHOULD YOU CALL??
Any number of people and organizations may be interested  in participating in this activity,
including...

•  local government
•  planning/zoning
•  state regulatory agencies
•  water departments
•  agricultural community
•  industry
•  conservation/environmental groups
•  schools
•  civic/community organizations
•  developers
•  watershed advisory groups
•  lake associations
•  teachers
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO...
If the watershed for your system is located in multiple municipalities, it is essential that you
invite all municipalities.  Even if there is little cooperation between the  municipalities on
other issues, a watershed protection plan will indirectly affect and benefit individually the
municipalities surrounding the watershed as well as your own. This  is a critical step in
effectively organizing and implementing a plan of action.

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      INITIAL CONTACTS AND DISCUSSIONS
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      5.
      6.
      7.
8.
9.
10.



1.
2.
3.
A

WHO?





ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS, PHONE, FAX
AND EMAIL NUMBERS





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DEVELOP INTEREST
After making the initial telephone contacts, call for an informal meeting of all  interested
parties.  Make this a broad-ranging meeting, which further develops interests in watershed
protection planning for your community.


Use the following page as guide to organize your meeting.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS:


     •   Recent water quality problems

     •   Development in the surrounding watershed area

     •   Potential contamination threats

     •   How to organize

     •   Sources of assistance

     •   What information do we have

     •   Who else may  be interested
         -  include advocate peers with tlie group to offset opponents (e.g. a farmer who
           favors protection balanced with a farmer who opposes anti-protection)


     •   Budget

     •   Assignments

     •   Staff capabilities

     •   Volunteer capabilities

     •   Discussion of local water sources

     •   What are the perceived needs of the communities

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        INFORMAL MEETING TO DETERMINE INTEREST

            INTEREST! ENTHUSIASM!
_           CONTINUE WITH NEXT PAGE

            NO INTEREST! APATHY!
•           GO TO PAGE 37


m       ORGANIZER:	

        WHO IS ATTENDING?

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I           ZZ

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I       TIME/DATE	
•       LOCATION 	
        AGENDA ITEMS:
I           	

I           	

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-       REFRESHMENTS:.


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ADDRESS THE BASIC ISSUES
If watershed protection is of interest, begin the meeting by discussing the basic issues.
Don't get bogged down in the details at this point.  Several meetings may be needed as
the idea of watershed protection becomes more focused on your specific needs.


Solutions to the issues at hand will take time. Each situation will require specific attention
due to the varied personalities, interests, problems, constraints, and opportunities.  Take
one step at a time.
                                          USE THE NEXT TWO PAGES TO
                                        KEEP SIMPLE MINUTES OF YOUR
                                                          FIRST MEETING.
DO WE NEED OUTSIDE RESOURCES?


POSSIBLY.


Experience elsewhere has shown that watershed  protection planning must have a good
technical and legal basis. There are many things your planning team can do,  but two
resources that can provide valuable assistance include a hydrologist to determine the
watershed area delineation and  a lawyer to provide direction on the management tools.
The lawyer could very likely by your municipality's solicitor or a combination of solicitors
from the various municipalities. The hydrologist may be a  consultant from a local college
or government agency.

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MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING
KEY ITEMS DISCUSSED
OUR GOALS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
           NOW, MOVE TO IMPLEMENTATION
                                             10

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THINGS TO DO NEXT
     WHAT?
WHO?
WHEN?
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THE WATERSHED PROTECTION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE:
NAME




ADDRESS




PHONE/F AX/EMAIL
(W)/(H)




REPRESENTING




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STEP2:
DEFINE THE WATERSHED PROTECTION AREA
A watershed is the topographic boundary area that is within the perimeter of a catchment
area of a stream or the collection of streams, lakes, rivers.  A watershed can be influenced
by either groundwater and/or surface water.
          The primary goal of source water protection (SWP)
            under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to:


            Prevent the contamination of and maintaining
                good quality drinking water supplies,
       by reducing or preventing chemical and microbiological
                   contamination of source waters and
                     avoiding costly treatment
                   and monitoring requirements.
Defining the watershed is the key technical step in watershed protection planning, and
should be based on a reasonably sound approach in the event of challenges to the area
defined for source water protection.  This is the critical step where a hydrologist may be
able to help you.
                                                              13

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I       BASICS:

|       TO BEGIN DEFINING THE WATERSHED AREA



         1 .    Do we have a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map(s) that is likely to
•              cover our watershed?  If not, obtain one. (To buy maps look under Maps in the
              telephone book yellow pages; hunting and fishing stores may also have these.) A
              geographical information system (GIS) may be used in some cases in place of
m            USGS maps.


                                   a Yes         a No


M       2.    Is there a drawing showing any previous studies?


                                   a Yes         a No


£       3.    Is hydrologic information for our area available through the USGS or .a local college?


                                   n Yes         n NO

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         14.    Can we accurately identify the drainage area for our watershed from the maps or
              GIS or we will have a hydrologist complete this?


|                                 D Yes         a No
         5.    Do we have zoning maps and ordinances for the area likely under consideration?


                                      Yes         n No
                          PROCEED TO THE MEXT PAGE
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IF DATA AND THE ABILITY TO DELINEATE OR
FUNDS FOR A HYDROLOGIST ARE AVAILABLE.
1.    Obtain the necessary maps or the GIS file.


2.    Have a hydrologist delineate the watershed or complete this task using the following
      guidelines:

      a.     Find topographic high points surrounding your ground/surface water source
            and construct a line that connects these points (See Example).

      b.     The  line created will identify the boundary of the watershed including any
            wells, where  the slope of the land slopes into or away from the surface water
            source.

      c.     Field check your watershed delineation by driving/walking the area boundary.


3.    For the use of a USGS map, obtain clear mylar drawing sheets from a drafting or
      artist's supply store.  Place the mylar over the USGS map and  trace the watershed
      as defined above. This will be the foundation for your watershed mapping.


4.    If a GIS exists, maps will be able to be produced by using the computer.
THIS WILL  PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BASIC MAPS, INCLUDING THE WATERSHED
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA.
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STEP*
REVIEW  THE   CURRENT   PROVISIONS   OF   LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Review the  local  planning (zoning and related  ordinances) and provisions of local
government to evaluate what protection or potential hazards  may already exist for your
delineated watershed.

Address the following nuestions:
1.   What  are the  current  zoning  requirements for  the
     watershed?  What zoning already exists to protect the
     watershed area?


2.   What are the conditional land uses in the watershed?  Are
     there any detrimental land uses already in practice.


3.   What are  the municipalities long-range plans for the area
     surrounding and including the watershed? Are there any
     future  plans that may affect or be within the  watershed
     delineation?


4.   What other provisions already  exist  that support Source
     Water Protection, such as Wellhead Protection (WHP) and
     other regulatory issues?


5.   What are the other options that  exist for protection of the
     watershed, such  as   nutrient  management,  Wellhead
     Protection, Best Management Practice's (BMP's) and other
     voluntary issues?
         CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE WITH STEP 4
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STEP4:
HOW TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS





Once the watershed area has been delineated, the next step is to identify natural features
that may need special attention. A list of natural features are as follows:

1 . STEEP SLOPES WHERE EROSION MAY OCCUR. THIS MAY VARY
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF VEGETATION.
2. UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS ^
,-s^. if f
3. HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES i
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St


above-mentioned
features, and that some features may have a larger affect on one watershed than another.
Combinations of features may also be found. For example, relatively
slopes may present no influence on a watershed, but the same slope
allow for the passage of pesticides into the watershed.

A personal walking tour of your watershed should provide the location
steep vegetated
unvegetated may


of many of these
features. Information regarding critical areas should be added to your map for future use.



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Sources of information regarding critical areas include:



•  Natural Resource Conservation Service

   •  Cooperative Extension Service

     •  Soil and Water Conservation Districts

        •  U.S. Department of Agriculture

          •  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

             • Local Governments

               •  U.S. Geologic Survey


Precipitation data and stream  records can be retrieved from  the USGS for reviewing
flooding and storm water concerns.

                    AN ON-SITE REVIEW OF THE
          CONDITION OF CRITICAL AREAS DURING STORMS
            PROVIDE A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
              ON WHICH AREAS ARE MOST AFFECTED.
              SEE PAGE 20 FOR A SAMPLE INVENTORY.
                                Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy
                                extra copies or make photocopies), draw
                                your source water protection area on the map
                                and using the inventory sheet on the next
                                page, prepare an inventory of critical areas
                                for your watershed. Use a separate sheet to
                                organize names, addresses, and phone
                                numbers, where you can obtain these.
                                                                 19

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         PROGRAM INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CRITICAL AREAS
         DIRECTIONS:  Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the watershed
         protection area. Delineate the feature on the map and place the corresponding number at
         the location of the feature. If there are more than one source for a category, label each
         site with the number and a letter (e.g.  multiple wetlands would  be 10A, 10B, 10C, etc.).
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               1.    STEEP SLOPES
              2.    UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
              3.    HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
              4.    SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
I            5.    HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
—            6.    FORESTS
*            7.    WILDLIFE AREAS
•            8.    STREAMS AND RIVERBANKS
              9.    FLOODPLAINS
jj                  (Typically 50 feet from the top of bank, if no other data are available).
              10.   WETLANDS
*            11.   FARMLAND
t            12.   OTHER (SPECIFY)

         Once you have this field  information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to a
         second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area defined.
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STEPS:
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
After the critical areas have been identified and delineated, the next step is to identify the
potential sources of contamination.  Remember these are potential threats to water quality.
The best approach is to look at water quality data including pollutants and  existing and
projected land uses. Whether a potential threat becomes an actual one is determined in
part by the type of activity. This includes whether it enters the watershed, its concentration
and its duration.

There are many potential sources of source water contamination, including many routine
activities that we may not necessarily think of as being possible sources of contamination.
                 THE FOLLOWING PAGE IDENTIFIES
                 SEVERAL TYPES OF SOURCES OF
               SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION AND
                     IS FROM EPA'S REGION III
                WELLHEAD PROTECTION HANDBOOK
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TABLE 1 - COMMON SOURCES OF SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION
AGRICULTURAL

•   Animal burial areas
•   Animal feedlots
•   Chemical storage areas

COMMERCIAL

•   Airport
•   Auto repair shops
•   Boat yard
•   Construction Areas
•   Car Washes
•   Cemeteries
•   Dry cleaning establishments
•   Gas stations
•   Golf courses (chemical application)
•   Jewelry and metal plating
•   Laundromats

INDUSTRIAL

•   Asphalt plants
•   Chemical manufacture, warehousing, and
    distribution activities
•   Electrical and electronic products and
    manufacturing
•   Electroplaters and metal fabricators
•   Foundries
•   Fire training facilities
•   Machine and metal working shops
•   Manufacturing  and distribution for cleaning
    supplies
•   Mining (surface and underground) and mine
    drainage

RESIDENTIAL

•   Fuel storage systems
•   Furniture and wood strippers and finishers
•   Household hazardous products
•   Residential lawns (chemical application)

WASTE MANAGEMENT

•   Hazardous waste management units (e.g.,
    landfills, land treatment areas, surface
    impoundment's, waste piles, incinerators,
    treatment tanks)
•   Municipal incinerators
•   Municipal landfills
Irrigation
Manure spreading and pesticides
Pesticides and fertilizers
Medical institutions
Paint shops
Photography establishments/printers
Railroad tracks and yard/maintenance
Research laboratories
Road deicing operations (e.g. road salt)
Scarp and junkyards
Storage tanks and pipe (i.e. above-ground,
below-ground, underground)
Petroleum products production, storage and
distribution centers
Pipelines (e.g. oil, gas, coal, slurry)
Septage lagoons and sludge
Storage tanks (i.e. above ground, below-ground,
underground)
Toxic and hazardous spills
Wells - Operating and abandoned (e.g. oil, gas,
water supply, injection, monitoring, and
exploration)
Wood Preserving facilities
Septic systems, cesspools, water softeners
Sewer lines
Swimming Pools
Municipal wastewater and sewer lines
Open burning sites
Recycling and reduction facilities
Stormwater drains, retention basins, transfer
stations
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PREPARING YOUR INVENTORY

These are the likely sources of information, to begin the inventory for your source water
protection plan.

1.    Contact the  local  department  of  environmental  protection   or  health
      department for sources subject to certain federal and state laws.

      This may require contacting a number of different programs within an environmental
      department or health department as well as individuals time to review files.

2.    Surf the Internet

      Many  internet sites now exist that provide information on a number of source water
      issues.  Typical  sites  include  local,  state  and  federal,  as  well  as  private
      organizations.  Two key source water sites developed by EPA include:

      EPA site for Toxic Release Inventory (TRi)
            www.epa.gov/enviro/html/tris/tris.query.java.html

      EPA site for surfing a watershed
            www.epa.gov/nwapsurf/text.html

3.    Utilize a Data Service

      There are a number of  data services that compile information on facilities  and
      sources where environmental problems have occurred or are subject to certain
      federal and state laws.  These services can provide an extensive amount of data,
      including maps, usually within 7 to 10 days of a request.  The cost of  these services
      typically range from $100  to $150  depending  on  the amount and type of data
      requested.  These services can be obtained through  use of the internet.

4.    Your Planning Committee (and other helpers)

      Although a data service can provide you with some important information, there are
      many  local activities you will have to identify yourself; for example, cemeteries.  In
      addition to your committee, other organizations may be interested in assisting with
      the inventory.   In other areas, senior citizen, civic, and environmental groups have
      helped prepare these inventories.

      No special training is required. What is needed is enthusiasm, common sense and
      some  general direction as to what to  look for, such as the activities  on the next
      page.   Be sure to include long-time residents of an area who will know past land
      uses and possible sources of historical problems.
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    Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy extra copies or make photocopies),
    draw your source water protection area on the map and using the inventory sheet on
    the next page, prepare an inventory for your area. Use a separate sheet to organize
    names, addresses, and phone numbers, where you can obtain these.


    Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to
    a second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area
    defined.
SEE SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM ON PAGE 25 FOR
 DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES.
                                                        24

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        INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION SOORCES
                                SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
                          INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES
                                    SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM
Inventory Person:
A.     Landowners Name:
B.     Address:
C.     Phone Number:
D.     City:
E.     County:
Description of Location:
                                     Zip Code:
Residential
City Gov't Site
 Commercial
State Gov't Site
 Nature of Property

	  Agricultural _
	Rental
Industrial
Other
DIRECTIONS:  Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the source water protection area.  Place
the corresponding number on the map at the location of the source.  If there is more than one source for a
category, label each site with the number and a letter (e.g., multiple cemeteries would be 7A, 7B, 7C, etc.)
       1._Abandoned Wells
       2._Aboveground Storage Tank
       3._Airport
       4._Animal Feedlot/Waste Storage
       5._Asphalt Plant
       6._Auto Repair/Body Shop/Salvage Washes
       7._Cemetery
       8.__Cesspool
       9._Chemical Production/Mixing/Storage
       10._Dry Cleaners
       11 ,_Electroplaters/Metal Finishers
       12._Farm/Pnvate Dumps
       13._Fertilizer/Pesticide Storage/ProductionMixing
       14._Golf Course
       15._Grain Storage Bin
       16._Highway
       17._Holdmg  Pond/Lagoon
       18._lndustnal (other-Identify):	

       19._lnjection Well
      20._lrrigation Practices
                                21._Landfi!l
                                22._Laboratories
                                23._Machine Shop
                                24._Mining(Quarry)
                                25._Oil/Gas Pipelines
                                26._Photo Processors
                                27._Printers
                                28._Railroad
                                29._Refinishing
                                30._Road Salt Storage
                                31._Septic Systems
                                32._Service/Gas Stations
                                33._Sewage Plant
                                34.__Underground Storage Tank
                                35._Waste Piles
                                36._Water Well
                                37._Wood Preserving
                                38._Other (specify)	
                                                                                    25

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STEP 6:
MANAGING THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
Up to this point you have collected or created a lot of information.  In this step, you will
make an assessment on how you will  use this information. You will likely need the advice
and assistance of your attorney.  You  may also find the assistance of other professionals,
such as planners, very useful.

You will basically be making a decision on how to proceed with protecting the source water
watershed area  in this step.   This decision may range from  "Do Nothing" to a very
aggressive protection program, as well as many variations in between.

  TYPICAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
                    FALL INTO TWO CATAGORIES:
            NON-REGULATORY  AND REGULATORY TOOLS

THE FIRST CATEGORY IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT THE START OF A
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM AND IS RELATIVELY EASY
TO BEGIN!


Non-regulatory

  •  Voluntary - school students and senior citizens provide an excellent source energy
     and resources for educating the public and the collection of information.

  •  Education - public education is  an important part of the program and is covered in
     more detail on page 29.

  •  Monitoring - typical monitoring plans include emergency telephone number listings
     and emergency telephone chains for possible upstream contaminant sources.
     Other plans include sharing of industrial monitoring well data and the development
     of additional monitoring wells at  possible contaminant locations.

  •  Adopting best management practices for
     critical areas listed previously
     Land Acquisition of critical areas of protection.

     Schools - contact local schools and aid in the
     development of school programs that involve
     students in source water protection programs.
     Students can provide almost a limitless supply of
     enthusiasm and energy for your project.
                                                                   26

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   •   Community Senior Citizens - involve local citizens of the community in the process.
      Older citizens of the community are aware of many of the past practices of the area
      and provide a valuable source of historical information.

 Certain Legislative tools may also be available


 Regulatory

   •  Health - guidelines are typically associated with regional health departments.

   •  Zoning and ordinances - local governing bodies may develop to enforce
      management practices.

   •  Subdivision control - a method of controlling size, location and type of subdivisions
      that may have adverse affects on the watershed including sewer and storm water
      issues.

   •  Buffer Zones - designate vegetated buffer zones and/or Water Supply Overlay
      Protection Zones.

   •  Performance-Based Zoning - holds individuals creating the drinking water impact
      responsible for addressing the problems.

   •  Urban Runoff Control - "Zero Runoff Ordinances" - provides treatment for runoff
      and limits the amount of impervious areas in watersheds.

   •   Wastewater Planning - coordinate wastewater planning within a watershed with the
      local governing agency to ensure protection from contamination.


         SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TOOLS
 FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE BASED ON SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
    INCLUDING HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING, POLITICAL SITUATION,
 RELATIONS WITH OTHER POTENTIALLY INVOLVED MUNICIPALITIES,
                        AND LEVEL OF INTEREST.


The following pages provide examples of a non-regulatory management tool  in the form of
public education and a  regulatory management tool in the form of overlay zoning.
                                                                      27

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MANAGEMENT TOOLS:
A.  NON-REGULATORY TOOL EXAMPLE: PURLIC EDUCATION
Educating  the  public  provides   a  critical  non-regulatory
management tool for source water protection.  When people
think about water, most think only  in terms of what comes out
of the tap.

They do  not realize that the  same  areas in which they live,
work, and play are frequently contributing  to the water they
drink and use.
Even a modest public education program can help people gain a greater understanding for
your source water protection program.  Remember that the cost of a potentially low-cost
protection program can be much less than the cost of treatment or a new source.


Public education is critical  to a successful program and should  be  started  at the very
beginning  of a source water  protection program  and should be an on-going  activity
throughout the planning and should continue as part of a long-range program.


Some potential activities include:


•  Providing signs along roadways  and in housing areas to identify  your source water
   protection area (PennDOT can help along state highways)


•  Prepare "Best Management Practices" guidelines for distribution to the public including
   items such as:
    •   Urban Runoff

    •   Critical Areas

    •   Household Hazardous Materials


   Conduct public meetings

      Time:      	

      Date:       	

      Speaker:    	
Lawncare and Gardening

Septic Tanks
   Provide speakers for civic/community groups:
      Possible groups to speak to include:
                                                                          28

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I         PUBLIC EDUCATION
I         •   Provide newsletter or water bill inserts about the program.
           •   Request coverage with your local newspaper and other media.
                Newspaper
•                    Contact:                	
*                    Phone/Fax Number:      	
I              Radio
                      Contact:                	
|                    Phone/Fax Number:      	

I              Television
                      Contact:                	
I                    Phone/Fax Number:      	

I        •  Contact your local school districts to determine interest in participating in activities
             related to source water protection.
I              For Example:
                •  Help develop curriculum including projects and field trips
I              •  Participating in any Earth Day or scheduled environmental activity
                •  Designing a slogan or logo for the source water protection area
|              •  Art or essay contests related to water resource protection
•              You can get started by answering a few simple questions

                Your School District      	
|              Contact Person          	
                Phone/Fax Number      	
|              Areas of Interest         	

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MANAGEMENTTOOLS

B.  REGUUTORY TOOL EXAMPLE: OVERLAY ZONING
    For communities of watershed groups, one management tool to consider that may
    involve  the least disruption  and  be simpler to  implement  and  be accepted  is the
    concept of a watershed zone.


Watershed Zone:

•  Accepts  current zoning that may  already
   exist.

•  "Overlays"  the  source  water   protection
   zoning on top of the existing zoning.

•  Recognizes existing activities of the  existing
   zoning.

•  Recognizes  existing  activities that could
   impact on source water protection but with a
   minimum of disruption to them.

•  Prohibits or provides  certain limitations  on
   future activities that can affect source water
   protection.

If you consider the use of an overlay zone for your system:

Compare  current zoning and planning documents  for the protection  area you have
mapped. As a result of this comparison, identify:


•  Current  planning of concern to source water protection:
                                                                         30

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I        •  Uses or concern to source water protection that are currently allowed in the
             source water protection area.
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I        _

I        -
          •  Specific provisions of local government that may have an affect on source water
•           protection issues.
|        MANAGEMENT TOOLS
•        Key Elements of overlay watershed zoning:
                1.    Define regulated land uses
•              2.    Define regulated substances
                3.    Variances for existing uses/activities
•              4.    Special exceptions for new sources
_              5.    Consider requirements for design standards
*              6.    Consider requirements for operating permits

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Samples of other types of source water protection management tools
may be obtained from:
USEPA Region III:
Drinking Water Branch 3WP22
Water Protection Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029


Delaware:
Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control
Division of Water Resources
PO Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903


Maryland:
Water Management Administration
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD  21224
Pennsylvania:
Bureau of Water Supply Management
PA Department of Environmental Protection
11th Floor, RCSOB
PO Box 8467
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467


Virginia:
Division of Water Supply Engineering
Virginia Department of Health
1500 East Main Street
PO Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218


West Virginia:
West Virginia Department of Health
815 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
                                                                     32

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!       snp i:
|       PLANNING I OR THE FUTURE
I               Review your source water protection plan yearly!
•       This will allow you to
             • Keep up-to-date on regulations
             I« Review trends and activities in the
               protection area
             I« Act on new information about potential
               contaminant sources
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        Next Meeting:
             Date:
             Time:
             Place:
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•       Possible areas to be considered:
              Identify future critical areas and take action to include them
                      in your source water protection planning.
                                                                    33

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I         DEVELOP A CONTINCENCY PLAN TO:
•         ONCE POTENTIAL THREATS TO A COMMUNITY SOURCE WATER ARE IDENTIFIED:
          •  Develop an Emergency Management Plan
          - What are the steps involved to address identified potential threats?
•         =========:
I         - Identify who is responsible for each step including who will coordinate
            efforts.
I         ==:==:
I         - What are sources of technical, logistical and financial resources for handling
            potential threats?
•        •  Provide for alternate water supply or treatment should yours become
             contaminated
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I             A good place to start with, is your community or county hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
             response coordinator.  Have a copy of their program on hand for reference and for
             inclusion into your emergency management plan.
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For possible sources for assistance, please refer to the agencies listed on Page 32.
Deal with hazardous materials and accident spills.
  Community/county HAZMAT coordinator:
             Telephone/Fax Number:
                                                               34

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MOTES ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
                                              35

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WHAT IF THERE IS LITTLE INTEREST?
                               Find out why others don't see a benefit.  Identify the
                               barriers that stop cooperation.


                               •  Do they understand the "cost" of an unprotected
                                  water source?

                               Some possibilities are listed on the next page.
                               •  Are you addressing the wrong issues ?


                               •  Are the participants frustrated because everybody
                                  has a different approach?


                               •  What are the problems you are running into?
                                  List them on the next  page  and  then try to find
                                  ways to overcome them.

                               Many people  still  live with  the misconception that
                               since water did not present a problem  in the past, it
                               will  not present any problem now.  This is not true
                               today with the large  amount of population growth,
                               more intense  use  of  land, and  increased use of
                               chemicals that threaten most water supplies.

                               Some of the costs  of contaminated water can include
                               cost  to clean  up  the  water, adverse health effects,
                               extra monitoring costs, treatment costs, and finding a
                               new source of supply.
                                                                         36

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I                                ISSUES?

         WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS AND WHY IS THERE LITTLE INTEREST?
I
                 O   Lack of understanding of the SDWA
                 O   Legal Concern
I                D   Economic Conditions
•                O   Lack of Leadership
                 L~J   Costs
                 D   Timing Wrong
I                D   Group Too Large
ft                O   Group Too Small
                 n   Municipal Differences
*                D   Other
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LOOK FOR POSSIBLE SOLOTIONS TO CREATE INTEREST
                                                         v1>>
Look for ways to eliminate barriers and create interest in
source water protection efforts and list them on the next
page.   These  will  vary  from  situation  to  situation
depending on  the  barriers  encountered.   Two  typical
problems can be the "cost" of developing a source water
protection  program and in  many cases,  the required
cooperation when more than one municipality must be
involved.
When the costs of cleaning up a contaminated water service are understood, the barrier
should disappear.  The source of water for one community may be located in numerous
municipalities and the areas  to be protected may be in  yet other municipalities.  It is
important to  stress the health and safety factor to the neighboring municipalities to gain
cooperation in the implementation of a plan.

Once you have identified ways to overcome the barriers, list the actions needed to make it
happen.  Don't forget to select a specific person who will be responsible for each step of
your plan.

As problems are overcome and interest is developed, go back to page 9 to continue with
the planning to protect the drinking water in your area.

Remember, the cost of source water protection is cheap compared to the many costs of
coping with a source once it is contaminated.
                                                                         38

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Possible Ways To
Eliminate Barriers
And Create Interest
1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


Actions Required To
Make It Happen
Solutions
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
Who is in
Charge?
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
39

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GLOSSARY
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP'S) - Protective measures for  preventing or
controlling threats of water quality that have worked best over time.

COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that serves at least 15 service
connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system  or regularly
serves at least 25 year-round residents.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) - In the  SDWA, an MCL is defined as "the
maximum permissible level of a contaminant  in  water which is delivered to  any user of a
public water systems."

NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that is not a community
water system. There are two types of NCWSs:  transient (serve 25 non-resident persons
per day for 6 months or less per year)  and non-transient (serve at least 25 of the same
non-resident persons per day for more than 6 months per year).

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA (SWAP) - The area delineated by the state for a
public water system (PWS)  or including numerous PWSs,  whether the source is ground
water or surface water or both, as part of the state SWAP approved by EPA  under section
1453 of the SDWA.

SURFACE  WATER  TREATMENT  RULE  (SWTR)  -  The  rule  specified  maximum
contaminant  level  goals for Giardia lamblia, viruses  and  Legionella, and promulgated
filtration  and  disinfection requirements for PWSs using surface water sources under the
direct influence of surface water.  The regulations also specified water quality, treatment,
and watershed protection criteria under which filtration may be avoided.

WATERSHED - A topographic boundary area that is the perimeter of the catchment area
of a stream.

WATERSHED AREA - A topographic  area  that is within a line drawn connecting the
highest points uphill of a drinking water intake, from  which overland flow  drains to the
intake.

WELLHEAD  PROTECTION AREA  (WHPA)  - The surface  and  subsurface  area
surrounding a well or  well  field, supplying  a  PWS, through  which contaminants are
reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field.
                                                                        40

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vvEPA
Region 111
EPA 903-B-98-001
 November 1998
   PROTECTING YOUR WATERSHED
             THROUGH A
    SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
       AND PROTECTION PUN
           A "HOW-TO" WORKBOOK
       COMMUNITIES AND WATERSHED CROUPS
                          EPA Report Collection
                          Regional Center for Environmental Information
                          U.S. EPA Region ill
                          Philadelphia, PA 19103

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             Protecting Your Watershed
•      Through A Source Water Assessment
I                and Protection Plan
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|                  A "How To" Workbook
I                          F°r
•            Communities And Watershed Groups
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•                       United States
                 Environmental Protection Agency
•                     Drinking Water Branch (3WP22)
                         1650 Arch Street
                      Philadelphia, PA 19103
I
                                 Uo. •''?£. tt.-'.V.-': "SIT
•                                ? • : •:-.-=,•' ." I !",..•' "'"••V.inXCTlta?
I                                "

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  I
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 INTRODUCTION

This workbook was developed by the U.S.  Environmental
Protection Agency and Spotts Stevens and McCoy, Inc.
(Reading,  Pennsylvania) as a guide  for communities and
watershed  groups,  with  limited  financial  resources, to
develop and implement an assessment and protection plan
for existing and new drinking watersheds. This publication
is meant  as a workbook, it is meant for you to  use,
please write in it and mark it up.

Groundwater protection is an important part of source water
protection, but in most cases, groundwater fundamentals
and  groundwater protection  are not  covered  in  this
workbook.  It  is recommended that  readers  refer  to the
state wellhead protection program for  information regarding
groundwater protection.   Proper implementation  of this
workbook  would include the implementation of a wellhead
protection  plan where applicable.

This workbook has been developed as a companion  to The
U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency guidebook entitled
"State Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs
Guidance - Final Guidance".

Source  water assessment  is achieved through identifying
the  various  components,   influences  and   possible
contamination  areas for a water source.  This workbook
serves as a guide for  assessing a water source and then
providing the proper steps for protection of the source.

The Safe Drinking  Water Act applies  to  all  publicly or
privately owned water systems having  more than  15 or
more service connections and/or serving at least 25 people.
Water  systems will  be required to  meet the  1996  Safe
Drinking Water Act Amendments which have incorporated
source water protection through the  use of source water
assessment and protection.  The goal of the Environmental
Protection Agency is that "by the year 2005, 50 percent of
the population served  by  community water systems will
receive  their  water  from systems  with  Source  Water
Protection (SWP) programs in place  under both Wellhead
Protection (WHP) and watershed protection programs."

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         AS A WATER PROVIDER OR WATER USER OF A WATERSHED
|            ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OR CONCERNED ABOUT...

I
_                                               YES        NO
•        • Serving good quality water                    LJ         LJ
•        • Receiving good quality water                   LJ         LJ
         • Protecting your water supply                   LJ         LJ
•        • Identifying where your water supply comes from       LJ         LJ
         • Knowing sources of potential contamination          LJ         LJ
I        • Recognizing management tools for small            LJ         LJ
           drinking water systems
•        • Avoiding expensive source water treatment          LJ         LJ
         • Providing low-impact public use for recreation        LJ         LJ
•           and education
         • Other: 	              O         D

I

|             ...AS THESE RELATE TO YOUR COMMUNITY
                              WATERSHED?


I        IF YOU ANSWERED ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS WITH
I                          PLEASE READ ON.
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1
1
1 ^
1 (r
• ife
• ""^
•


^ff "^ WE'RE INTERESTED BUT...
P^k
IPw.
~~^ WHAT CAN WE DO?
^LJ&& II
nfil WHA T SHOULD WE DO?
^^^^^T^B
• TO PROTECT THE SOURCE WATER WE USE FOR...

1
1
1
1
1
1

...drinking
...bathing
...cooking
^L ...washing clothes
^^^V ...recreation

| ONE APPROACH IS TO DEVELOP A. ..
1


1
1
1


SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
AND PROTECTION PROGRAM


HOW DO WE DO THIS?
3

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   THERE ARE 7 BASIC STEPS TO SOURCE WATER
           ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION
    STEP 1 - FORM A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM
    STEP 2 - DELINEATE THE WATERSHED TO BE PROTECTED


    STEP 3 - REVIEW THE ZONING SURROUNDING THE WATERSHED
    STEP 4- IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
    STEP 5 - IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION


    STEP 6 - MANAGE THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
    STEP 7 - PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
ALL SEVEN STEPS REQUIRE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!!
THIS IS THE MOST CRITICAL STEP TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOURCE
WATER ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PLAN.


It may be easier to begin Step 2 first to gain support and awareness through education.


Completing this workbook will put you on the road to protecting your watershed for yourself
and for future generations.
    NOW IS THE TIME TO ACTII

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!       8TEP1:
         GETTING STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM
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             Implementation of a plan requires someone to take action - WHY NOT YOU!
          Once a need for a watershed  protection plan  is  realized,  a few initial  contacts and
          discussions can quickly locate others with similar interests. Using the following page, jot
          down names, phone numbers, and addresses of others you  think may be interested  in
          watershed protection through source water assessment and protection and... CALL THEM
          NOW!!
               WHO SHOULD YOU CALL??
          Any number of people and organizations may be interested in  participating in this activity,
          including...
          •  local government
          •  planning/zoning
          •  state regulatory agencies
          •  water departments
          •  agricultural community
          •  industry
          •  conservation/environmental groups
          •  schools
          •  civic/community organizations
          •  developers
          •  watershed advisory groups
          •  lake associations
          •  teachers
         IT IS UERY IMPORTANT TO...
         If the watershed for your system is located in multiple municipalities, it is essential that you
         invite all municipalities.  Even if there  is little cooperation between  the municipalities on
         other issues, a watershed protection plan will indirectly affect and benefit individually the
         municipalities surrounding the watershed as  well as your own.  This is a critical step in
         effectively organizing and implementing a plan of action.

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      INITIAL CONTACTS AND DISCUSSIONS
              WHO?
                                   ORGANIZATION
                                ADDRESS, PHONE, FAX
                                 AND EMAIL NUMBERS
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       9.
      10

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I        DEVEIOPINTEREST
g        After making the initial telephone contacts, call for an informal meeting of all interested
          parties.  Make this a broad-ranging meeting, which further develops interests in watershed
•i        protection planning for your community.
          Use the following page as guide to organize your meeting.
I
-        SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS:
                •   Recent water quality problems
•              •   Development in the surrounding watershed area
                •   Potential contamination threats
I              •   How to organize
                •   Sources of assistance
I              •   What information do we have
•                •   Who else may be interested
                   -  include advocate peers with the group to offset opponents (e.g. a  farmer who
                     favors protection balanced with a farmer who opposes anti-protection)
|              •   Budget
m              •   Assignments
•              •   Staff capabilities
m              •   Volunteer capabilities
™             •   Discussion of local water sources
•             •   What are the perceived needs of the communities

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        INFORMAL MEETING TO DETERMINE INTEREST
            INTEREST! ENTHUSIASM!
•           CONTINUE WITH NEXT PAGE
            NO INTEREST! APATHY!
»           GO TO PAGE 37
        ORGANIZER:	
        WHO IS ATTENDING?
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        AGENDA ITEMS:
        TIME/DATE
        LOCATION
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-       REFRESHMENTS:,

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ADDRESS THE DASIC ISSUES
If watershed protection is of interest, begin the meeting by discussing the basic issues.
Don't get bogged down in the details at this point.  Several meetings may be needed as
the idea of watershed protection becomes more focused on your specific needs.


Solutions to the issues at hand will take time. Each situation will require specific attention
due to the varied personalities, interests, problems, constraints, and opportunities.  Take
one step at a time.
                                          USE THE NEXT TWO PAGES TO
                                        KEEP SIMPLE MINUTES OF YOUR
                                                          FIRST MEETING.
DO WE NEED OUTSIDE RESOURCES?


POSSIBLY.


Experience elsewhere has shown that watershed  protection planning must have a good
technical and legal basis.  There are many things your planning team can do,  but two
resources that can provide valuable assistance include a hydrologist to determine the
watershed area delineation and a lawyer to provide direction on the management tools.
The lawyer could very likely by your municipality's solicitor or a combination of solicitors
from the various municipalities. The hydrologist may be a  consultant from a local college
or government agency.

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      MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING
      KEY ITEMS DISCUSSED
      OUR GOALS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
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,                NOW, MOVE TO IMPLEMENTATION
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THINCS TO DO NEXT
     WHAT?
WHO?
WHEN?
                                            11

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THE WATERSHED PROTECTION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE:
NAME






ADDRESS PHON^j^)EMA'L REPRESENTING



j





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STEP 2:
DEFINE THE WATERSHED PROTECTION AREA
A watershed is the topographic boundary area that is within the perimeter of a catchment
area of a stream or the collection of streams, lakes, rivers. A watershed can be influenced
by either groundwater and/or surface water.
          The primary goal of source water protection (SWP)
            under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is to:


            Prevent the contamination of and maintaining
                good quality drinking water supplies,
       by reducing or preventing chemical and microbiological
                   contamination of source waters and
                     avoiding costly treatment
                   and monitoring requirements.
Defining the watershed is the key technical step in watershed protection planning, and
should be based on a reasonably sound approach in the event of challenges to the area
defined for source water protection. This is the critical step where a hydrologist may be
able to help you.
                                                               13

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I        BASICS:

|        TO BEGIN DEFINING THE WATERSHED AREA



         1 .    Do we have a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map(s) that is likely to
I              cover our watershed?  If not, obtain one.  (To buy maps look under Maps in the
              telephone book yellow pages; hunting and fishing stores may also have these.) A
              geographical information system (GIS) may be used in some cases in place of
•             USGS maps.
                                   D  Yes            No


M        2.    Is there a drawing showing any previous studies?


                                   D  Yes         a No


M        3.    Is hydrologic information for our area available through the USGS or a local college?


                                   D  Yes         O No


         14.    Can we accurately identify the  drainage area for our watershed from the maps or
              GIS or we will have a hydrologist complete this?


|                                  D  Yes         D No


I        5.    Do we have zoning maps and ordinances for the area likely under consideration?

|                                  D  Yes         D No



I


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                          PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE
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IF DATA AND THE ABILITY TO DELINEATE OR
FUNDS FOR A HYDROLOGIST ARE AVAILABLE...
1.    Obtain the necessary maps or the GIS file.


2.    Have a hydrologist delineate the watershed or complete this task using the following
      guidelines:

      a.     Find topographic high points surrounding your ground/surface water source
            and construct a line that connects these points (See Example).

      b.     The  line created will identify the boundary of the watershed including any
            wells, where  the slope of the land slopes into or away from the surface water
            source.

      c.     Field check your watershed delineation by driving/walking the area boundary.


3.    For the use of a USGS map, obtain clear mylar drawing sheets from a drafting or
      artist's supply store. Place the  mylar over the USGS map and  trace the watershed
      as defined above. This will be the foundation for your watershed mapping.


4.    If a GIS exists, maps will be able to be produced by using the computer.
THIS WILL  PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BASIC  MAPS, INCLUDING THE WATERSHED
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA.
                                                                       15

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STEP 3:
REVIEW   THE   CURRENT   PROVISIONS   OF   LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Review the local  planning  (zoning  and  related ordinances)  and  provisions of  local
government to evaluate what protection or potential hazards may already exist for your
delineated watershed.

Address the following questions:
1.   What are  the  current  zoning  requirements  for  the
     watershed?   What zoning already exists  to protect the
     watershed area?


2.   What are the conditional land uses in the watershed?  Are
     there any detrimental land uses already in practice.


3.   What are the municipalities long-range plans for the area
     surrounding  and including the watershed?  Are  there any
     future plans that may affect  or be within  the watershed
     delineation?


4.   What other  provisions already exist that support  Source
     Water Protection, such as Wellhead Protection (WHP) and
     other regulatory issues?


5.   What are the other options that exist for protection of the
     watershed,  such  as  nutrient  management,  Wellhead
     Protection, Best Management  Practice's (BMP's)  and other
     voluntary issues?
         CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE WITH STEP4
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STCP4:
HOW TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS
Once the watershed area has been delineated, the next step is to identify natural features
that may need special attention.  A list of natural features are as follows:


1.    STEEP SLOPES WHERE EROSION MAY OCCUR. THIS MAY VARY
     DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF VEGETATION.
2.   UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
3.   HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
4.
SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
5.   HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
6.
FORESTS
7.   WILDLIFE AREAS
8.   STREAMS AND RIVERBANKS
9.   FLOODPLAINS
10.  WETLANDS


Listed above are many of the features that may be found in a watershed.


It is important to realize that not every watershed will have all of the above-mentioned
features, and that some features may have a larger affect on one watershed than another.
Combinations of features may also be found.  For example, relatively steep vegetated
slopes may present no influence on a watershed, but the same slope unvegetated may
allow for the passage of pesticides into the watershed.


A personal walking tour of your watershed should provide the location of many of these
features.  Information regarding critical areas should be added to your map for future use.
                                                                 18

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Sources of information regarding critical areas include:



•  Natural Resource Conservation Service

   •  Cooperative Extension Service

     •  Soil and Water Conservation Districts

        •  U.S. Department of Agriculture

          •  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

             •  Local Governments

               •  U.S. Geologic Survey


Precipitation data and stream  records can be  retrieved from the  USGS for reviewing
flooding and storm water concerns.

                    AN ON-SITE REVIEW OF THE
          CONDITION OF CRITICAL AREAS DURING STORMS
            PROVIDE A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
              ON WHICH AREAS ARE MOST AFFECTED.
              SEE PAGE  20 FOR A SAMPLE INVENTORY.
                                Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy
                                extra copies or make photocopies), draw
                                your source water protection area on the map
                                and using the inventory sheet on the next
                                page, prepare an inventory of critical areas
                                for your watershed. Use a separate sheet to
                                organize names, addresses, and phone
                                numbers, where you can obtain these.
                                                                19

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I       PROGRAM INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CRITICAL AREAS

™       DIRECTIONS:  Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in  the watershed
         protection area. Delineate the feature on the map and place the corresponding number at
I       the location of the feature.  If there are more than one source for a category, label each
™       site with the number and a letter (e.g.  multiple wetlands would be 10A, 10B, 10C, etc.).
I
              1.    STEEP SLOPES
I            2.    UNVEGETATED OR DISTURBED AREAS
m            3.    HIGHLY ERODABLE SOIL TYPES
              4.    SOILS WITH HIGH CLAY CONTENT
£            5.    HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
              6.    FORESTS
•            7.    WILDLIFE AREAS
•            8.    STREAMS  AND RIVERBANKS
              9.    FLOODPLAINS
|                  (Typically 50 feet from the top of bank, if no other data are available).
              10.   WETLANDS
"            11.   FARMLAND
•            12.   OTHER (SPECIFY)

I       Once you have this field information, use the  same labeling system and transfer it to a
         second sheet of mylar placed over the one with  the source water protection area defined.
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SUPS:
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
After the critical areas have been identified and delineated, the next step is to identify the
potential sources of contamination. Remember these are potential threats to water quality.
The best approach is to look at water quality data including  pollutants and  existing and
projected land uses. Whether a potential threat becomes an  actual one is determined in
part by the type of activity. This includes whether it enters the watershed, its concentration
and its duration.

There are many potential sources of source water contamination, including many routine
activities that we may not necessarily think of as being possible sources of contamination.
                 THE FOLLOWING PAGE IDENTIFIES
                 SEVERAL TYPES OF SOURCES OF
               SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION AND
                     IS FROM EPA'S REGION III
               WELLHEAD PROTECTION HANDBOOK
                                                             21

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TABLE 1 - COMMON SOURCES OF SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION
AGRICULTURAL

•   Animal burial areas
•   Animal feedlots
•   Chemical storage areas

COMMERCIAL

•   Airport
•   Auto repair shops
•   Boat yard
•   Construction Areas
•   Car Washes
•   Cemeteries
•   Dry cleaning establishments
•   Gas stations
•   Golf courses (chemical application)
•   Jewelry and metal plating
•   Laundromats

INDUSTRIAL

•   Asphalt plants
•   Chemical manufacture, warehousing, and
    distribution activities
•   Electrical and electronic products and
    manufacturing
•   Electroplaters and metal  fabricators
•   Foundries
•   Fire training facilities
•   Machine and metal working shops
•   Manufacturing and distribution for cleaning
    supplies
•   Mining (surface and underground) and mine
    drainage

RESIDENTIAL

•   Fuel storage systems
•   Furniture and wood strippers and finishers
•   Household hazardous products
•   Residential lawns (chemical application)

WASTE MANAGEMENT

•   Hazardous waste management units (e.g.,
    landfills, land treatment areas,  surface
    impoundment's, waste piles, incinerators,
    treatment tanks)
•   Municipal incinerators
•   Municipal landfills
    Irrigation
    Manure spreading and pesticides
    Pesticides and fertilizers
•   Medical institutions
•   Paint shops
•   Photography establishments/printers
•   Railroad tracks and yard/maintenance
•   Research laboratories
•   Road deicing operations (e.g. road salt)
•   Scarp and junkyards
•   Storage tanks and pipe  (i.e. above-ground,
    below-ground, underground)
    Petroleum products production, storage and
    distribution centers
    Pipelines (e.g. oil, gas, coal, slurry)
    Septage lagoons and sludge
    Storage tanks (i.e. above ground, below-ground,
    underground)
    Toxic and hazardous spills
    Wells - Operating and abandoned (e.g. oil, gas,
    water supply, injection, monitoring, and
    exploration)
    Wood Preserving facilities
   Septic systems, cesspools, water softeners
   Sewer lines
   Swimming Pools
   Municipal wastewater and sewer lines
   Open burning sites
   Recycling and reduction facilities
   Stormwater drams, retention basins, transfer
   stations
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PREPARING YOUR INVENTORY

These are the likely sources of information, to begin the inventory for your source water
protection plan.


1.    Contact the   local  department  of  environmental  protection   or  health
      department for sources subject to certain federal and state laws.

      This may require contacting a number of different programs within an environmental
      department or health department as well  as individuals time to review files.


2.    Surf the Internet


      Many  internet sites now exist that provide information  on a number of source water
      issues.  Typical  sites  include  local,   state  and  federal,  as   well   as  private
      organizations. Two key source water sites developed by EPA include:

      EPA site for Toxic Release  Inventory (TRI)
            www.epa.gov/enviro/html/tris/tris.query.java.html

      EPA site for surfing a watershed
            www.epa.gov/nwapsurf/text.htmt


3.    Utilize a Data Service


      There are a number of  data services that compile  information  on facilities  and
      sources where  environmental problems have occurred or are subject to certain
      federal and state laws.  These services  can provide an extensive amount of data,
      including maps,  usually within 7 to 10 days of a request.  The cost of these services
      typically range from $100  to  $150 depending  on  the  amount and type of data
      requested.  These services  can be obtained through  use of  the internet.


4.    Your Planning Committee (and other helpers)

      Although a data service can provide you  with some important information, there are
      many  local activities you will have to identify yourself; for example, cemeteries. In
      addition to your  committee, other organizations may be interested in assisting with
      the inventory. In other areas, senior citizen, civic, and environmental groups have
      helped prepare these inventories.

      No special training is required. What is needed is enthusiasm, common sense  and
      some  general direction as  to what to  look for, such  as the activities  on the next
      page.   Be sure  to include long-time residents of an area  who  will know past land
      uses and possible sources of historical problems.
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    Using a copy of your USGS map (either buy extra copies or make photocopies),
    draw your source water protection area on the map and using the inventory sheet on
    the next page, prepare an inventory for your area. Use a separate sheet to organize
    names, addresses, and phone numbers, where you can obtain these.

    Once you have this field information, use the same labeling system and transfer it to
    a second sheet of mylar placed over the one with the source water protection area
    defined.
SEE SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM ON PAGE 25 FOR
 DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES.
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        INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION SOORCES
                                SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
                          INVENTORY OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES
                                    SUGGESTED INVENTORY FORM
Inventory Person:
A.     Landowners Name:
B.     Address:
C.     Phone Number:
D.     City:
E.     County:
Description of Location:
                                     Zip Code:
Residential
City Gov't Site
 Commercial
State Gov't Site
 Nature of Property

	  Agricultural _
	Rental
Industrial
Other
DIRECTIONS:  Place an "X" next to each category that you identify in the source water protection area. Place
the corresponding number on the map at the location of the source.  If there is more than one source for a
category, label each site with the number and a letter (e.g., multiple cemeteries would be 7A, 7B, 7C, etc.)
       1._Abandoned Wells
       2._Aboveground Storage Tank
       3._Airport
       4._Animal Feedlot/Waste Storage
       5._Asphalt Plant
       6._Auto Repair/Body Shop/Salvage Washes
       7._Cemetery
       8._Cesspool
       9.	Chemical Production/Mixing/Storage
       10._Dry Cleaners
       11._Electroplaters/Metal Finishers
       12._Farm/Private Dumps
       13._Fertilizer/Pesticide Storage/ProductionMixing
       14._Golf Course
       15._Grain Storage Bin
       16. _ High way
       17._Holding  Pond/Lagoon
       18._lndustrial (other-Identify):	

       19._lnjection Well
       20._lrrigation Practices
                                21._Landfill
                                22._Laboratories
                                23._Machine Shop
                                24._Mining(Quarry)
                                25._Oil/Gas Pipelines
                                26._Photo Processors
                                27._Printers
                                28._Railroad
                                29._Refinishing
                                30._Road Salt Storage
                                31._Septic Systems
                                32._Service/Gas Stations
                                33._Sewage Plant
                                34._Underground Storage Tank
                                35._Waste Piles
                                36._Water Well
                                37._Wood Preserving
                                38._Other (specify)	
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STEPS:
MANAGING THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA
Up to this point you have collected or created a lot of information.  In this step, you will
make an assessment on how you will use this information. You will likely need the advice
and assistance of your attorney. You may also find the assistance of other professionals,
such as planners, very useful.

You will basically be making a decision on how to proceed with protecting the source water
watershed area  in this step.  This decision may range from  "Do Nothing" to a very
aggressive protection program, as well as many variations in between.


  TYPICAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
                    FALL INTO TWO CATAGORIES:
            NON-REGULATORY  AND REGULATORY TOOLS


THE FIRST CATEGORY IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT THE START OF A
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM AND IS RELATIVELY EASY
TO BEGIN!


Non-regulatory

  •  Voluntary - school students and senior citizens provide an excellent source energy
     and resources for educating the public and the collection of information.

  •  Education - public education is an important part of the program and  is covered in
     more detail on page 29.

  •  Monitoring - typical monitoring plans include emergency telephone number listings
     and emergency telephone chains for possible upstream contaminant sources.
     Other plans include sharing of industrial monitoring well data and the development
     of additional monitoring wells at possible contaminant locations.

  •  Adopting best management practices for
     critical areas listed previously

  •  Land Acquisition of critical areas of protection.

  •  Schools - contact local schools and aid in the
     development of school programs that involve
     students in source water protection programs.
     Students can provide almost a limitless supply of
     enthusiasm and energy for your project.
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   •  Community Senior Citizens - involve local citizens of the community in the process.
     Older citizens of the community are aware of many of the past practices of the area
     and provide a valuable source of historical information.

Certain Legislative tools may also be available


Regulatory

   •   Health - guidelines are typically associated with regional health departments.

   •   Zoning and ordinances - local governing bodies may develop to enforce
      management practices.

   •   Subdivision control - a method of controlling size, location and type of subdivisions
      that may have adverse affects on the watershed including sewer and storm water
      issues.

   •   Buffer Zones - designate vegetated buffer zones and/or Water Supply Overlay
      Protection Zones.

   •   Performance-Based Zoning - holds individuals creating the drinking water impact
      responsible for addressing the problems.

   •   Urban Runoff Control  - "Zero Runoff Ordinances" - provides treatment for runoff
      and limits the amount of impervious areas in watersheds.

   •   Wastewater Planning- coordinate wastewater planning within a watershed with the
      local governing agency to ensure protection from contamination.


         SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TOOLS
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE BASED ON SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
    INCLUDING HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING, POLITICAL SITUATION,
 RELATIONS WITH OTHER POTENTIALLY INVOLVED  MUNICIPALITIES,
                        AND  LEVEL OF INTEREST.


The following pages provide  examples of a non-regulatory management tool  in the form of
public education and a regulatory management tool in the form of overlay zoning.
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MANAGEMENTTOOLS:
A.  NON-REGULATORY TOOl EXAMP1E: PUBLIC EDUCATION
Educating  the  public  provides   a   critical  non-regulatory
management tool for source water protection.  When people
think about water, most think only  in terms of what comes out
of the tap.

They  do  not realize that the same areas in which they live,
work,  and play are frequently  contributing  to the water they
drink and use.
Even a modest public education program can help people gain a greater understanding for
your source water protection program.  Remember that the cost of a potentially low-cost
protection program can be much less than the cost of treatment or a new source.


Public education is critical  to a successful  program and should  be started  at the very
beginning  of a  source water  protection program  and should be  an on-going  activity
throughout the planning and should continue as part of a long-range program.


Some potential activities include:


•  Providing signs along roadways and in housing areas to identify  your source water
   protection area (PennDOT can help along state highways)


•  Prepare "Best Management Practices" guidelines for distribution to the public including
   items such as:
    •   Urban Runoff

    •   Critical Areas

    •   Household Hazardous Materials


   Conduct public meetings

      Time:      	

      Date:       	

      Speaker:    	
Lawncare and Gardening

Septic Tanks
   Provide speakers for civic/community groups:
      Possible groups to speak to include:
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I        PUBLIC EDUCATION
I        •  Provide newsletter or water bill inserts about the program.
_        «  Request coverage with your local newspaper and other media.
                Newspaper
                      Contact:
                      Phone/Fax Number:
I
                Radio
_                    Contact:
                      Phone/Fax Number:
I              Television
                      Contact:                	
•                    Phone/Fax Number:      	

•        •  Contact your local school districts to determine interest in participating in activities
             related to source water protection.
I              For Example:
                •  Help develop curriculum including projects and field trips
|              •  Participating in any Earth Day or scheduled environmental activity
                •  Designing a slogan or logo for the source water protection area
I              •  Art or essay contests related to water resource protection
•              You can get started by answering a few simple questions

—              Your School District      	
I              Contact Person	
_              Phone/Fax Number	
I              Areas of Interest         	

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MANAGEMENTTOOIS


B.  REGULATORY TOOL EXAMPLE: OVERLAY ZONING


    For communities of watershed groups, one management tool to consider that may
    involve the least disruption and be simpler to implement and be accepted is the
    concept of a watershed zone.


Watershed Zone:

•  Accepts current zoning  that may  already
   exist.

•  "Overlays"  the  source  water   protection
   zoning on top of the existing zoning.

•  Recognizes existing activities of the  existing
   zoning.

•  Recognizes  existing  activities  that could
   impact on source water protection but with a
   minimum of disruption to them.

•  Prohibits or provides  certain limitations  on
   future activities that can affect source water
   protection.

If you consider the use of an overlay zone for your system:

Compare  current zoning and  planning documents for the  protection area you have
mapped. As a result of this comparison, identify:

•  Current planning of concern to source water protection:
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•        •   Uses or concern to source water protection that are currently allowed in the
             source water protection area.
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          •   Specific provisions of local government that may have an affect on source water
•           protection issues.

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|        MANAGEMENT TOOLS
•        Key Elements of overlay watershed zoning:
               1.    Define regulated land uses
•             2.    Define regulated substances
               3.    Variances for existing uses/activities
•             4.    Special exceptions for new sources
H             5.    Consider requirements for design standards
               6.    Consider requirements for operating permits

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Samples of other types of source water protection management tools
may be obtained from:
USEPA Region III:
Drinking Water Branch 3WP22
Water Protection Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

Delaware:
Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control
Division of Water Resources
PO Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903

Maryland:
Water Management Administration
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Pennsylvania:
Bureau of Water Supply Management
PA Department of Environmental Protection
11th Floor, RCSOB
PO Box 8467
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467

Virginia:
Division of Water Supply Engineering
Virginia Department of Health
1500 East Main Street
PO Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218

West Virginia:
West Virginia Department of Health
815 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
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|       PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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              Review your source water protection plan yearly!
I       This will allow you to
            • Keep up-to-date on regulations
I           • Review trends and activities in the
™             protection area
              Act on new information about potential
              contaminant sources
•       Next Meeting:
™           Date:
            Time:
"           Place: _

             Identify future critical areas and take action to include them
•                   in your source water protection planning.
        Possible areas to be considered:
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I        DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY PLAN TO:
•        ONCE POTENTIAL THREATS TO A COMMUNITY SOURCE WATER ARE IDENTIFIED:
          •  Develop an Emergency Management Plan
          - What are the steps involved to address identified potential threats?
          -  Identify who is responsible for each step including who will coordinate
            efforts.
I        -  What are sources of technical, logistical and financial resources for handling
            potential threats?
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8        •  Provide for alternate water supply or treatment should yours become
             contaminated
|           For possible sources for assistance, please refer to the agencies listed on Page 32.

I        •  Deal with hazardous materials and accident spills.
I             A good place to start with, is your community or county hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
             response coordinator.  Have a copy of their program on hand  for reference and for
             inclusion into your emergency management plan.
Community/county HAZMAT coordinator:
          Telephone/Fax Number:
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NOTES ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
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WHAT IF THERE IS LITTLE INTEREST?
                               Find out why others don't see a benefit.  Identify the
                               barriers that stop cooperation.


                               •  Do they understand the "cost" of an unprotected
                                  water source?


                               Some possibilities are listed on the next page.
                               •  Are you addressing the wrong issues?


                               •  Are the participants frustrated because everybody
                                  has a different approach ?


                               •  What are the problems you are running into?
                                  List them on the next  page  and  then try  to find
                                  ways to overcome them.


                               Many people  still  live with  the misconception that
                               since water did not present a problem  in the  past, it
                               will  not present  any problem now.   This is not true
                               today with the large  amount of population growth,
                               more intense  use of  land, and  increased  use  of
                               chemicals that threaten most water supplies.


                               Some of the costs of contaminated water can include
                               cost  to clean  up the  water, adverse health effects,
                               extra monitoring  costs, treatment costs, and finding a
                               new source of supply.
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I                                ISSUES?

         WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS AND WHY IS THERE LITTLE INTEREST?
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                 G   Lack of understanding of the SDWA
                 D   Legal Concern
|                G   Economic Conditions
•                G   Lack of Leadership
                 G   Costs
                 G   Timing Wrong
jj                G   Group Too Large
•                G   Group Too Small
                 G   Municipal Differences
™                G   Other
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LOOK FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE INTEREST
                                                         Vlr>
Look for ways to eliminate barriers and create interest in
source water protection efforts and list them on the next
page.   These  will  vary  from  situation  to  situation
depending  on  the barriers  encountered.   Two  typical
problems can be the "cost" of developing a source water
protection  program and in  many cases, the required
cooperation when more than one municipality must be
involved.
When the costs of cleaning up a contaminated water service are understood, the barrier
should disappear.  The source of water for one community may be located in numerous
municipalities and the areas  to be protected may be in yet other municipalities.  It is
important to stress the health and safety factor to the neighboring  municipalities to gain
cooperation in the implementation of a plan.

Once you have identified ways to overcome the barriers, list the actions needed to make it
happen.  Don't forget to select a specific person who will be responsible for each step of
your plan.


As problems are overcome and interest is developed, go back to page 9 to continue with
the planning to protect the drinking water in your area.

Remember, the cost of source water protection is cheap compared to the many costs of
coping with  a source once it is contaminated.
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Possible Ways To
Eliminate Barriers
And Create Interest
1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


Actions Required To
Make It Happen
Solutions
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
Who is in
Charge?
1A.
1B.
1C.
2A.
2B.
2C.
3A.
3B.
3C.
4A.
4B.
4C.
5A.
5B.
5C.
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GLOSSARY
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP'S) - Protective measures for preventing or
controlling threats of water quality that have worked best over time.

COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that serves at least 15 service
connections used by year-round residents  of the area served by the system or regularly
serves at least 25 year-round residents.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) - In the  SDWA, an MCL is defined as "the
maximum permissible level of  a contaminant  in  water which is delivered to any user of a
public water systems."

NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM - A public water system that is not a community
water system. There are two types of NCWSs:  transient (serve 25 non-resident persons
per day  for 6  months or less per year) and non-transient (serve at least 25 of  the same
non-resident persons per day for more than  6 months per year).

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREA (SWAP) - The area delineated by the state for a
public water system (PWS)  or including numerous PWSs,  whether the source  is ground
water or surface water or both, as part of the state SWAP approved by EPA under section
1453 of the SDWA.

SURFACE WATER  TREATMENT  RULE (SWTR)  -  The  rule specified  maximum
contaminant  level  goals for Giardia lamblia, viruses  and  Legionella,  and promulgated
filtration  and  disinfection requirements for PWSs using surface water sources  under the
direct influence of surface water. The regulations also specified water quality, treatment,
and watershed protection criteria under which filtration may be avoided.

WATERSHED - A topographic boundary area that is the perimeter of the catchment area
of a stream.

WATERSHED AREA -  A topographic area  that is  within  a line  drawn connecting the
highest points uphill of a drinking water intake,  from  which overland flow drains to the
intake.

WELLHEAD   PROTECTION AREA  (WHPA)  - The surface and  subsurface  area
surrounding a well  or well  field, supplying  a  PWS, through  which contaminants are
reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field.
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