SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLANNING

Source water protection is an ongoing and evolving program to understand and address risks to water supplies. In New Jersey, source water protection programs are typically community-based voluntary efforts that involve planning and implementation of various management strategies.

Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP)

The foundation for source water protection was established on a national level through the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments passed in 1986 and 1996. These amendments created wellhead protection and source water assessment programs and left responsibility for implementing these programs with each state.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s SWAP Plan incorporates four main steps:

  1. Determine the source water assessment area of each ground and surface water source of public drinking water.
  2. Inventory the potential contamination sources within the source water assessment area.
  3. Determine the public water system source’s susceptibility to regulated contaminants.
  4. Incorporate public education and participation.

For more information about the SWAP and source water assessment reports, click here.

Our Planning Approach

At New Jersey American Water, we are working to develop and implement voluntary source water protection plans for many of our water supplies.

Stakeholder involvement is an important part of the program. The nature and degree of involvement varies by task and stakeholder group.

For more information about how you can get involved in your area, contact us here.