NEIWPCC brings together state and EPA staff to forge a strong and productive working relationship focused around improving source water protection measures throughout the region.
The NEIWPCC Source Water Protection (SWP) Workgroup provides a unique opportunity for states to compare strategies and collaborate on source water protection strategies, as well as provide feedback to the EPA on their initiatives.
Drinking water faces similar threats across the Northeast, and collaboration between states is essential to coordinating solutions for source water quality management. The workgroup covers discussions and training on topics such as fuel storage tanks, groundwater impacts from stormwater infiltration, cyanobacteria, and road salt issues.
A priority of the SWP workgroup is ensuring collaboration with local water systems to communicate funding opportunities, resources, and recommendations for management practices available at the local, state, and federal level. Through the workgroup, state and EPA officials share resources, such as planning tools and project success stories, to protect land critical for drinking water sources.
Recent Source Water Protection Projects Within the Region
Connecticut
The Connecticut Source Water Collaborative, chartered in May 2016, brings together stakeholders ranging from governmental officials, professors, water utilities representatives, and conservation groups working to protect Connecticut’s drinking water sources.
Maine
The Saco Watershed Collaborative brings together community members, scientists, and professionals to protect the Saco Watershed and River which serves as a drinking water source for residents across New Hampshire and Southern Maine.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services held a SWP conference which covered topics ranging from PFAS, using federal and state funds for land conservation, reducing road salt loads, private well outreach, and the results of the statewide source water risk assessments.
New York State
The New York State Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2), established in 2020, provides free technical assistance to municipalities to support the development of long-term source water protection plans. NEIWPCC partners with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health to support staff experts for this collaborative, inter-agency program.
For more information about the SWP workgroup, contact Ian Dulin.