AWWA JAW46240

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) amendments of 1996 are replete with provisions that expand current efforts to protect source water. As a result, source water protection has become a national priority. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set as a goal that local source water protection programs be in place by 2005 to protect water supplies in 30,000 communities that serve 60 percent of the US population. This article discusses the six major programs now existing under the SDWA related to source water protection: underground injection control, sole source aquifer, wellhead protection, source water assessment, source water petition, and comprehensive groundwater protection grants. Although each of these programs is administered by the USEPA, state and local involvement are key to their success. Includes 3 references.