Source Water Protection (SWP)

Many people think our drinking water is protected from pollution, especially since we rely on groundwater in Pike County, which is underground and out of sight.

However, wells become polluted when substances that are harmful to human health get into our groundwater.

When precipitation falls on impervious surfaces like asphalt or concrete, water cannot infiltrate into the ground and instead becomes runoff. Runoff washes downslope across the land surface until it reaches an area where it can seep back into the ground, typically a forest, grassland, or other permeable area.

Contaminants (like road salt, motor oil, etc.) that are left on the surface of the ground can be swept up by stormwater runoff and carried away from the original site.

This collection of pollutants in runoff is considered non-point source pollution and is one of the main ways pollutants enter our waterways. Though the soil filters some things from the water, it is not able to filter things such as paints and motor oils which can eventually end up in our aquifers which we drink from!

Wells that source from polluted aquifers can be dangerous to drink from if the level of pollution rises above health standards.  

Source water protection includes a wide variety of actions and activities aimed at safeguarding, maintaining, or improving the quality and/or quantity of sources of drinking water and their contributing areas.  These activities may depend on the type of source being protected (e.g., groundwater, reservoir, or river).

Some examples of source water protection are:

• Riparian zone restoration to reduce runoff pollution; vegetation along the banks of surface waters (like streams and lakes) help filter contaminants from runoff.
• Stream bank stabilization to reduce erosion and sediment pollution (sediment is the #1 pollutant in Pennsylvania streams);
• Land protection/easements around reservoirs or around wellheads;
• Best management practices for agricultural and forestry activities or stormwater control;
• Local ordinances to limit certain activities in source water or wellhead protection areas;
• Educating local industry, businesses, and citizens on pollution prevention and source water protection.
• Developing emergency response plans to prepare for pollution events (source water protection planning).

• Inspect and pump your septic system regularly. A typical septic system should be pumped every 3-5 years.
• Recycle used motor oil (Many places that sell motor oil accept used oil for recycling).
• Dispose of household hazardous waste, such as bleach and paint, properly. Don’t dump chemicals down drains or on the ground.
• Limit the amount of fertilizers and pesticides used in your yard. If you are going to use lawn chemicals, try to buy only what is needed and follow the instructions on the label.
• Plant native species on your property. Growing native plants requires less watering and chemicals since they are better adapted to living in our area.
• Pick up after your pet when out for walks.
• Conserve water at home and at work.
• Test underground fuel oil tanks for leaks. If possible, place them above ground.

Check out more ways to protect water quality at home »