Source Water Protection at the Strategic Level

The concept of source water protection for potable water—embodied in AWWA's Utility Management Standard G300, Source Water Protection, and originally highlighted the 1996 amendments to Safe Drinking Act (SDWA)—is making a comeback. Yet so many challenges provision healthy drinking are out control utility operators. Per- polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group persistent, bioaccumulative toxins (commonly referred as “forever chemicals”) that driving new regulations at state federal levels, most particularly under SDWA Superfund program, which will materially affect operations. Inevitably, these customers because increased costs related treatment, carbon residue disposal, long-term operations maintenance. All PFAS compounds found waters result industrial consumer products have been commercially available decades. And while tend get lot media attention, recall shutdown Toledo system 2015 due harmful algal blooms Lake Erie, largely unregulated agricultural runoff polluted city's water. Added list threats deforestation, forest fires, wastewater discharges, stormwater, bromide from power plants trying comply with Clean Air Act. In all cases, systems mercy other parties over whom they no or influence. Utilities dependent on collection watershed out-of-watershed players who may not be doing their part protect sources safe These include regulators areas outside For instance, discharges might regulated (CWA), should addressed before entering commerce Toxic Substances Control (TSCA). AWWA has provided technical comments US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opportunities protecting TSCA, we continue press case is EPA's Office Water. This discourage efforts members labor level practice sound protection, using own resources, expertise, networks partners. But strategic focus by industry, government, agriculture, municipalities can put wind backs local ways utilize sectors’ knowledge, financial assets, regulators, regulatory authorities. Government Affairs office Washington, D.C., worked several years now operationalize level. example, revisions embodied 2018 Farm Bill recognized importance first time conversations Department Agriculture (USDA), bill mandated an allocation 10% its funds specifically protection. Before Bill, USDA focused almost entirely CWA goals pertaining ambient quality centered impaired (“the worst first”) total maximum daily loads pollutants allowed enter body. implementing provisions easy. It takes build relationships each conservationist his her State Technical Committee, mutual understanding between sectors requires hard work patience. Still, utilities seat table, benefitting financially conservation programs. Discussions also underway next reauthorization there's how more fully optimize Not forgetting about CWA, Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15. limitations guidelines (ELGs) manage source, least upstream intake, receiving comprehensive waters. Unfortunately, average age ELG than 30 years, program merits review current issues, urgently, needs implemented maximize benefit nation's supply keep affordable consumers. G. Tracy Mehan III executive director government affairs AWWA. He contacted [email protected].