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 2003
National Source Water Protection Conference
EPA held its National Source Water Protection (SWP) Conference
on June 2-4, 2003 at the Hotel Washington, in Washington DC. The conference,
timed to promote SWP as 165,000 source water assessments
were due to be completed, offered an opportunity for participants
to share their experiences, learn about protection strategies, and network
with others who are working to promote source water protection.
Over 450 people attended the 2003 National SWP Conference, and everyone
seemed to agree it was a huge success; a
summary of the conference evaluations is available . Participants came from 47 states, the District
of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces; a
list of participants is available . They represented all levels of government
agencies from local to federal, utilities, technical assistance providers
and health care workers, and private citizens.
The conference focused on the "Path
to Protection," six steps for moving from a completed source water assessment
to an effective protection strategy. These steps are: (1) review assessments,
(2) prioritize actions, (3) identify and motivate key actors, (4) mobilize
and develop a strategy for protection and security, (5) implement source
water protection strategy, and (6) measure results.
Conference Topics
The conference covered many topics of interest to SWP stakeholders–from
understanding assessments and using technology to forging beneficial
partnerships and obtaining the necessary resources to implement effective
source water protection strategies. Out of the many presentations and
discussions, some common themes emerged:
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Partnerships are valuable. A variety of stakeholders
can productively contribute to effective SWP initiatives. Each offers
a unique perspective on all of the activities that affect source water,
and can communicate SWP messages to their constituencies. Furthermore,
partners may offer mutual opportunities to leverage resources, combine
efforts, or make use of existing authorities. It is important to know
who the stakeholders are and to involve them early in the process.
Partners can include local and regional environmental and citizens'
groups, water utilities, local officials, schools, businesses, farmers,
conservation districts, state program managers (drinking water, flood
plains, hazardous waste, and others), federal agencies, watershed
groups, land conservancies and non-profit organizations, rural water
associations, neighboring jurisdictions, and universities/extension
programs. See more on partnerships in Sessions A2,
B4, C1,
C2, and C4.
- Coordination is important. Sharing information with other
agencies and organizations can get them involved and motivated to protect
drinking water sources. Including SWP in their priorities can be mutually
beneficial and may increase available resources and manpower, and help
to overcome resistance. See more on coordinating for SWP in Sessions
A1, A2,
A3, B1,
C1, C2,
C3, and C4.
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Technology is a powerful tool. Geographic information
systems (GIS) are being used as an effective tool for identifying
and managing threats, communicating potential source water threats
and protective actions to decision makers, and overseeing management
activities by providing maps that allow visualization of the areas
being protected. Software packages, templates, and models can facilitate
completing vulnerability assessments (VAs) or drafting local ordinances.
The Internet is a powerful communication and information sharing tool.
SWP planners can access data from various state and federal Web
sites .
See more on how technology can improve SWP in Sessions A1,
A3, A4,
C1, C2,
and C4.
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Funding is always a concern. All communities
and government agencies, from local to federal, are cash-strapped.
Resources are available through a variety of sources, such as the
Clean
Water Act (CWA) and Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA) State Revolving Funds (SRF), CWA Section
319 funds, and the Farm Bill. Implementing protection measures and
increased public awareness can provide substantial cost savings by
reducing monitoring requirements (through waivers) or avoiding expensive
treatment. Sharing information on available funding is important as
well. See more on funding in Sessions B1,
B3, B4,
C3, and the Financing
Plenary.
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Outreach and education are a must. Citizens,
business owners, farmers, and others need to understand where their
drinking water originates, how their actions affect its quality, and
what they can do to protect it. Local water system staff may need
training on specific SWP measures and available technologies, such
as GIS, as well. Schools and community events are good avenues for
knowledge transfer; public service announcements or a national advertising
campaign could help. See more on outreach and education in Sessions
A1, A2,
A3, A4,
C1, C2,
and C4.
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Communication is a key part of a successful
SWP strategy. Stakeholders need to be involved throughout the planning
and implementation of a SWP strategy. Certain groups, such as farmers
and business owners, can be contacted and involved through organizations
that serve these groups. Sharing information should be balanced with
security concerns, however. Communication across federal and state
programs is also important. See more on effective communication in
Sessions A2, A4,
C1, C2,
and C4.
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There are new opportunities to support protection.
Initiatives under the Farm Bill; Homeland Security; state and local
initiatives; and innovative technologies, such as GIS and best management
practices (BMPs), all present opportunities to develop or fund effective
SWP strategies. See more on new opportunities in Sessions A2,
A3, A4,
B2, C4,
and the Financing Plenary.
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Source water protection is just starting. Conference
participants shared and discussed ideas for follow-up actions EPA
should take to promote SWP. Participants have begun to network and
take follow-up actions as well.
Conference Materials
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| From left to right: Bill Diamond, Tracy Mehan,
Senator Paul Simon; Jeff Stuck, and Mike Baker |
Click here
for a summary of the conference in PDF format .
The conference's opening plenary featured Tracy Mehan,
Assistant Administrator for Water, US EPA; former Senator Paul Simon;
Mike Baker, President of the Ground Water Protection Council; and Jeff
Stuck, President of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.
The conference also featured additional plenary sessions on partnerships,
financing and public health protection. Materials from the plenary
sessions are available here.
During twelve breakout sessions, participants had ample opportunities
to delve into topics of interest to them, including effective communication
strategies, GIS tools, working with upstream neighbors, and integrating
CWA and SDWA programs. Materials from the breakout
sessions are available here.
Participants had many opportunities to interact and learn at the conference's
Resource Fair. Click here
for a list of resource fair participants .
Everyone got a chance to kick back and relax at a reception sponsored
by the National Rural Water Association. People had time to catch up
with old friends, talk about the first day of the conference, or take
in the beautiful sights of our nation's capital.
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