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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
2005-P-00013
March 28, 2005
Why We Did This Review
We conducted this review to
determine how well the
Source Water Assessment
Program (SWAP) and the
voluntary Source Water
Protection Program (SWPP)
are helping to protect public
drinking water quality.
Background
The Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments of 1996 provide
the means to protect the
Nation's drinking water at its
source. With SWAP, EPA
requires States to conduct
source water assessments to
analyze existing and potential
threats to public drinking
water quality. SWAP intends
for States to follow the
assessment process by
developing protection
programs. Though source
water protection is not
mandated by the statute,
EPA's SWPP supports States
and communities in these
efforts.
For further information,
contact our Office of
Congressional and Public
Liaison at (202) 566-2391.
To view the full report,
click on the following link:
Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs
Show Initial Promise, But Obstacles Remain
What We Found
Source water assessments are being used by (1) some States to improve the overall
drinking water protection program by prioritizing protection efforts and program
resources, and by (2) assistance organizations in education and outreach efforts in
developing and implementing protection measures. However, at the local level,
assessment use is limited. While seen as a good starting point, some limitations of
the assessments themselves and other barriers hinder their potential for success in
leading to local-level initiation and implementation of source water protection
measures.
While States continue to make progress on completing source water assessments
and many are developing and implementing source water protection strategies, we
have identified several obstacles that hinder States" efforts to protect source water.
Despite EPA's best efforts, the program remains vulnerable. For the SWAP and
SWPP to support drinking water protection over the long term, EPA needs to
develop a more secure and consistent funding source. States and local entities will
also have to rely strongly on intra- and inter-agency coordination, program
integration, partnerships, and collaborative efforts to leverage human and financial
resources, technical assistance, and outreach to utilities and communities.
What We Recommend
To improve the success of Federal, State, and local source water protection
programs, we recommend that the Assistant Administrator for Water:
Issue a public statement to re-affirm that the Source Water Assessment and
Protection Programs are a priority for EPA.
Encourage States to target assessments not only to utilities, but also to local
governments, councils, planners, building and zoning officials, and other
stakeholders.
Provide guidance to States on how to leverage financial and technical
resources from other EPA programs, partners, and stakeholders.
Continue to improve cooperation and coordination between States and EPA
assistance contractors.
Work with Regions and States to (1) integrate environmental programs and
(2) determine how best to disseminate locally-applicable best practices
for contaminant source management and motivation.
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2005/
20050328-2005-P-00013. pdf
EPA generally agreed with our findings and recommendations and in some cases
has taken actions to address them.

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