Best Practices

Models for improving collaboration between source water and clean water state programs

A webinar, held on September 19th, 2012, featured different approaches states are taking to integrate clean water and source water programs and improve collaboration among state agency staff.

  • Maine’s Drinking Water Program has a long history of working across programs. The state’s water supply classification program developed years ago still drives regulatory decisions today including discharge restrictions and special considerations for lakes and stormwater recharge, and use of Clean Water Act section 319 funds. Maine has used a variety of cross-program approaches to encourage re-development and mitigate the impacts of new development. Download the Maine webinar presentation.
  • North Carolina’s Water Supply Watershed Protection Program has water supply classifications that limit new development, new wastewater dischargers, and other land use activities around surface water areas. Local governments are required to adopt minimum standards in their ordinances, but many have also adopted more stringent standards and enhanced outreach efforts. See how the Town of Garner is linking litter removal with drinking water protections. Download the North Carolina webinar presentation.
  • Several ideas for accessing nonpoint source funding from section 319 of the Clean Water Act for source water protection projects came out of the team’s work with the state of Missouri. By streamlining program guidelines and designating source water protection as a “uniquely high priority” state need, states can increase access to these funds. Download the 319 funding and Missouri webinar presentation.
  • The Utah Division of Drinking Water has designed a nitrate modeling tool in coordination with state partners to model nitrate concentrations at multiple scales through time. They are using section 319 funds to implement best management practices in susceptible source water protection areas identified using the tool. Download the Utah webinar presentation.

Watch a recording of this webinar to learn more.