Working with the USDA to protect source water

摘要

In the past, water suppliers often relied on pristine sources of water from distant locales. With rapid population growth and the advent of intensive land use, however, water suppliers can no longer ignore the quality of their source water. The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments recognized this and authorized voluntary state-supported incentive-based petition programs, through which water suppliers can work with landowners and local organizations to protect source water. In addition to good-faith efforts, financial incentives will be helpful in assuring an effective petition program. This article describes US Department of Agriculture incentive programs and how water suppliers can participate in them to augment their source water protection efforts.