EPAEPA’’s Source Water Protection Programs Source Water Protection Program

John John UngvarskyUngvarskyUSEPA Region 9USEPA Region 9April 1, 2010April 1, 2010CACA--NV AWWA 2010 Spring ConferenceNV AWWA 2010 Spring Conference

Outline Outline

BackgroundBackground

RolesRoles

ProgramsPrograms

Success StoriesSuccess Stories

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EPAEPA’’s Water Quality Lawss Water Quality Laws

Safe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water ActDrinking water standardsDrinking water standardsPublic water supply supervisionPublic water supply supervisionUnderground injection controlUnderground injection controlSource water protectionSource water protection

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Sole source aquifer programSole source aquifer program••

Wellhead protection programWellhead protection program••

Source water assessmentsSource water assessments••

Protection programsProtection programs

Clean Water ActClean Water ActWater quality standards Water quality standards Discharge permitsDischarge permitsWastewater treatment Wastewater treatment

MONITORING &

COMPLIANCE

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION reduce contaminant threats

TREATMENT

Safe Drinking Water Act Multiple-Barrier Approach

What is Source Water ?What is Source Water ?Source water is untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes, sprSource water is untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes, springs or ings or aquifers which is used for drinking water supply. aquifers which is used for drinking water supply.

What is Source Water Protection?What is Source Water Protection?

Taking actions to prevent or reduce the contamination of lakes,Taking actions to prevent or reduce the contamination of lakes, rivers, rivers, streams and groundwater that serve as sources of drinking water.streams and groundwater that serve as sources of drinking water.

Wellhead Protection is a frequently used term that applies to soWellhead Protection is a frequently used term that applies to source urce water protection for groundwater sources.water protection for groundwater sources.

Source water protection is one barrier in the multiSource water protection is one barrier in the multi--barrier approach to barrier approach to providing water that is safe to drinkproviding water that is safe to drink

Why Protect Source Waters?Why Protect Source Waters?

Public HealthPublic Health

Cost SavingsCost Savings••

treatmenttreatment••

cleanupcleanup

Public PerceptionPublic Perception

Other User Benefits Other User Benefits ••

ecological ecological ••

recreationrecreation

EfficiencyEfficiency

Safe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water Act Source Water Protection & AssessmentsSource Water Protection & Assessments

The 1986 amendments to the SDWA The 1986 amendments to the SDWA requiredrequired states to develop a states to develop a Wellhead Protection Program to protect Wellhead Protection Program to protect groundwatersgroundwaters used by used by public water systems. public water systems.

The 1996 amendments to the SDWA The 1996 amendments to the SDWA requiredrequired that states develop a that states develop a Source Water Assessment Program.Source Water Assessment Program.

assess and prioritize contamination threats to source waters (grassess and prioritize contamination threats to source waters (ground ound and surface) used by public water systems.and surface) used by public water systems.

States are States are encouragedencouraged to use information in the source water to use information in the source water assessments to further source water protection effects.assessments to further source water protection effects.

Implementation is state, local, water system driven Implementation is state, local, water system driven

Safe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water Act Source Water Assessment & ProtectionSource Water Assessment & Protection

DELINEATE DELINEATE your drinking water source protection areayour drinking water source protection area

INVENTORY INVENTORY known and potential sources of contamination within these known and potential sources of contamination within these areasareas

DETERMINE THE SUSCEPTIBILITY DETERMINE THE SUSCEPTIBILITY of your water supply system to of your water supply system to these contaminantsthese contaminants

NOTIFY AND INVOLVE THE PUBLIC NOTIFY AND INVOLVE THE PUBLIC about threats identified in the about threats identified in the contaminant source inventory and what they mean.contaminant source inventory and what they mean.

DEVELOP A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION STRATEGY (aka, DEVELOP A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION STRATEGY (aka, PLAN) PLAN) including strategies and schedule to reduce contaminants posing including strategies and schedule to reduce contaminants posing the the greatest threatsgreatest threats

IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES to prevent, reduce, or eliminate threatsto prevent, reduce, or eliminate threats

DEVELOP CONTINGENCY PLANNING STRATEGIES DEVELOP CONTINGENCY PLANNING STRATEGIES to deal with to deal with water supply contamination or service interruption emergencieswater supply contamination or service interruption emergencies

Current ContextCurrent ContextTransition from source water assessments (Transition from source water assessments (SWAsSWAs) to ) to source water protection (SWP) source water protection (SWP)

The VisionThe Visionuse SWA information to address risksuse SWA information to address risksengage/partner with stakeholdersengage/partner with stakeholdersdevelop a strategy/plan develop a strategy/plan implementimplement

The Reality The Reality SWP plans are voluntarySWP plans are voluntaryState and local leadership is essentialState and local leadership is essential

Establish national SWP goalEstablish national SWP goal••

By 2011, 50% of community water systems, and 62% of population By 2011, 50% of community water systems, and 62% of population served by those systems, will be served by those systems, will be ““substantially implementingsubstantially implementing””

source source water protection planswater protection plans

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2009 results: 35% 2009 results: 35% CWSsCWSs

and 54% populationand 54% population

State promotes and helps facilitate plan development and State promotes and helps facilitate plan development and implementation, especially for large systemsimplementation, especially for large systems

Tribal governments generally develop and implement source water assessments, protection plans, and activities.

Local water system/community takes lead in developing and Local water system/community takes lead in developing and implementing a SWP plan or strategyimplementing a SWP plan or strategy

SWP RolesSWP Roles

EPA Support and CoordinationEPA Support and Coordination

Education and Technical AssistanceEducation and Technical AssistanceWorkshop fundingWorkshop fundingGrants to SWP partners (e.g., National Rural Water Assoc., TrustGrants to SWP partners (e.g., National Rural Water Assoc., Trust for Public Land)for Public Land)Grants to Tribes to develop and implement source water assessmenGrants to Tribes to develop and implement source water assessment and protection t and protection activities.activities.Information sharing and technical reviewsInformation sharing and technical reviews

Internal CoordinationInternal CoordinationCommunication with HQ and regional SWP CoordinatorsCommunication with HQ and regional SWP CoordinatorsIntegration of CWA, SDWA, and other programsIntegration of CWA, SDWA, and other programs

e.g., Underground Injection Control, Underground Storage Tanks, e.g., Underground Injection Control, Underground Storage Tanks, NonNon--Point SourcePoint Source

External CoordinationExternal CoordinationAssistance to and oversight of statesAssistance to and oversight of statesCoordination with key stakeholders Coordination with key stakeholders

Western States ForumWestern States ForumSource Water CollaborativeSource Water CollaborativeASDWA, GWPC, AWWAASDWA, GWPC, AWWA

Conduit between HQ and state, water industry, publicConduit between HQ and state, water industry, public

National Source Water CollaborativeNational Source Water CollaborativeNational Source Water Collaborative

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Launched in 2006 •

23 national organizations•

includes EPA and AWWA•

setting a national vision for source water protection

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LLaunched in 2006 aunched in 2006 •• 23 national organizations23 national organizations•• includes EPA and AWWAincludes EPA and AWWA•• setting a national vision for setting a national vision for

source water protectionsource water protection

WorkshopsWorkshops

EPA funded 10 source water collaboration workshops EPA funded 10 source water collaboration workshops in 2009, including the Western States Forum in Pacific in 2009, including the Western States Forum in Pacific Grove in May.Grove in May.

EPA will support another 10 workshops in 2010. EPA will support another 10 workshops in 2010.

These workshops have These workshops have ……promoted source water protection at the local level, promoted source water protection at the local level, created or strengthened collaborative partnerships, and created or strengthened collaborative partnerships, and enhanced integration with other programs at state and federal leenhanced integration with other programs at state and federal levels.vels.

AgricultureAgriculture

Source water protection curriculum for high Source water protection curriculum for high school agricultural science students by FFA school agricultural science students by FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) under an (formerly Future Farmers of America) under an interagency agreement between EPA and USDA interagency agreement between EPA and USDA

Available this Spring and onlineAvailable this Spring and online

Water & Land UseWater & Land Use

OOngoing Collaboration with ngoing Collaboration with The Trust for Public LandThe Trust for Public Land

Path to ProtectionPath to Protection

Source Protection HandbookSource Protection Handbook

Enabling Source Water Protection: Integration Grants Enabling Source Water Protection: Integration Grants for State Water and Land Use Protection Programsfor State Water and Land Use Protection Programs

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Grants awarded in 2007 to Grants awarded in 2007 to The Trust for Public LandThe Trust for Public Land

and and Smart Growth Leadership Smart Growth Leadership Institute. Institute. Partnering with Association of State Drinking Water AdministratoPartnering with Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and The rs and The River NetworkRiver Network

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Encourage states to work across program and agency lines to moreEncourage states to work across program and agency lines to more

effectively support effectively support protection of drinking water sources at the local and watershed protection of drinking water sources at the local and watershed levellevel

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Work completed in New Hampshire, Maine, and Ohio and underway iWork completed in New Hampshire, Maine, and Ohio and underway in North Carolina, n North Carolina, Utah and Oregon; two states to be added in midUtah and Oregon; two states to be added in mid--April 2010April 2010

NutrientsNutrients

Nutrients Innovations Task GroupNutrients Innovations Task GroupState and EPA water programsState and EPA water programs

An Urgent Call to ActionAn Urgent Call to ActionAddresses drinking water and Addresses drinking water and ecological impactsecological impacts

Options for new and existing toolsOptions for new and existing tools to reduce to reduce nutrient pollution nutrient pollution ……

Numeric standardsNumeric standardsPilot projects to test alternative strategiesPilot projects to test alternative strategiesIncentiveIncentive--based toolsbased toolsTechnologyTechnology--based strategiesbased strategies

Oversight & AssistanceOversight & AssistanceExample: Example: Helping CA Assess SWP EffortsHelping CA Assess SWP Efforts

Interviewed 16 of the largest water systems in CA,such as …• Santa Clara Valley Water District • Sacramento Department of Utilities, • East Bay Municipal Utilities District• Irvine Ranch Water District • Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power

Examples of tools that benefit SWP• Watershed Sanitary Surveys• Source Water Assessments• Groundwater Management Plans• Integrated Regional Water Management Plans• Regional/Urban Water Management Plans

SWP Players in CASWP Players in CA (not a complete list)(not a complete list)

LocalLocalCity GovernmentCity GovernmentCounty GovernmentCounty GovernmentWater Agency/Utility/District Water Agency/Utility/District Special Districts (e.g., Irrigation)Special Districts (e.g., Irrigation)WatermasterWatermasterIndustryIndustryGeneral PublicGeneral Public

FederalFederalNatural Resources Conservation ServiceNatural Resources Conservation ServiceBureau of ReclamationBureau of ReclamationForest ServiceForest ServiceEnvironmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection AgencyGeological SurveyGeological Survey

StateStateDepartment of Health ServicesDepartment of Health ServicesState Water Resources Control BoardState Water Resources Control BoardRegional Water Quality Control BoardsRegional Water Quality Control BoardsDepartment of Water ResourcesDepartment of Water ResourcesDepartment of Toxic SubstancesDepartment of Toxic SubstancesDepartment of Pesticide RegulationDepartment of Pesticide RegulationDepartment of Fish & GameDepartment of Fish & GameIntegrated Waste Management BoardIntegrated Waste Management Board

State/Federal AgencyState/Federal AgencyCalCal--Fed Bay Delta ProgramFed Bay Delta Program

NGOsNGOsClean Water ActionClean Water ActionNatural Resources Defense CouncilNatural Resources Defense Council

Key Findings from CA InterviewsKey Findings from CA Interviews

Significant amount of SWP is in place, although Significant amount of SWP is in place, although few systems have a comprehensive SWP Plan. few systems have a comprehensive SWP Plan.

CWSsCWSs often have limited, if any, authority over often have limited, if any, authority over imported source water. imported source water.

Responsibility for SWP of imported water is Responsibility for SWP of imported water is diffuse and progress involves multiple players diffuse and progress involves multiple players working together. working together.

Success StoriesSuccess Stories ExamplesExamples

Contra Costa Water DistrictContra Costa Water DistrictComprehensive source water protectionComprehensive source water protection

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Alternative Intake ProjectAlternative Intake Project••

Partnering with local agriculture to move Partnering with local agriculture to move drains and implement drains and implement BMPsBMPs

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Drinking Water Quality Management PlanDrinking Water Quality Management Plan

City of FresnoCity of FresnoEnterprise Canal Protection PlanEnterprise Canal Protection PlanFresno Irrigation District, DPH Fresno Irrigation District, DPH City of Clovis, SheriffCity of Clovis, Sheriff’’s Department s Department general publicgeneral public

Success StoriesSuccess Stories ExamplesExamples

Metropolitan Water DistrictMetropolitan Water DistrictProactive monitoring for Proactive monitoring for perchlorateperchlorateTraced to KerrTraced to Kerr--McGee facility in NVMcGee facility in NVResulting decline in concentrationResulting decline in concentration

Tahoe Water Suppliers AssociationTahoe Water Suppliers AssociationTwelve medium and small water systemsTwelve medium and small water systemsNumerous outreach campaignsNumerous outreach campaignsBuffer zones around shoreline and wellheadsBuffer zones around shoreline and wellheadsAnnual Watershed Control Program ReportAnnual Watershed Control Program Report

Funding & AssistanceFunding & Assistance ExamplesExamples

WorkshopsWorkshopsClean Water & Drinking Water State Revolving FundsClean Water & Drinking Water State Revolving FundsCWA 319 NonCWA 319 Non--Point Source grantsPoint Source grantsCA Propositions 84 & 50CA Propositions 84 & 50NDEP Integrated Source Water Protection ProgramNDEP Integrated Source Water Protection ProgramAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tribal Water ProtectionTribal Water ProtectionRural Water AssociationRural Water AssociationUSDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (agricultural sources only)(agricultural sources only)

EPA administeredEPA administered

SummarySummary

EPA is a resource, but EPA is a resource, but ……SWP tends to be state and locally drivenSWP tends to be state and locally drivenSWP is voluntary SWP is voluntary Funding is limited/competitiveFunding is limited/competitiveDeveloping and implementing a SWP plan or Developing and implementing a SWP plan or strategy provides short and longstrategy provides short and long--term benefitsterm benefitsIntegration and collaboration is keyIntegration and collaboration is keyLetLet’’s talk about your SWP experiences s talk about your SWP experiences

Thank you!Thank you! ungvarsky.john@epa.govungvarsky.john@epa.gov

415415--972972--39633963

EPA Source Water Protection siteEPA Source Water Protection sitehttp://http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewatercfpub.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater//

Source Water CollaborativeSource Water Collaborativewww.protectdrinkingwater.orgwww.protectdrinkingwater.org

Report by Nutrient Innovations Task GroupReport by Nutrient Innovations Task Grouphttp://http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrientwww.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrient/ / nitgreport.pdfnitgreport.pdf

NV Division of Environmental ProtectionNV Division of Environmental Protectionhttp://http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/sourcewater.htmndep.nv.gov/bwpc/sourcewater.htm

CA Department of Health ServicesCA Department of Health Serviceshttp://http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/DWSAP.aspxwww.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/DWSAP.aspx

Trust For Public Land Trust For Public Land (search on source water protection)(search on source water protection)

http://http://www.tpl.orgwww.tpl.org//