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Source water protection focus of group’s ‘call to action’
February 18, 2015 By Ground Water Canada
Feb. 18, 2015, Westerville, OH – Changes to water quality and
quantity challenge the United States to redouble its efforts to protect its
water resources, said the Source Water Collaborative in a recent report.
Feb. 18, 2015, Westerville, OH – Changes to water quality and
quantity challenge the United States to redouble its efforts to protect its
water resources, said the Source Water Collaborative in a recent report.
The report is entitled A Call to Action: A Recommitment to Assessing and Protecting Sources of Drinking Water.
The Source Water Collaborative (SWC), made up of 22 national organizations including the National
Ground Water Association, issued its call to action in late December in
conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water
Act.
“Why a call to action now? As a nation we face a host of water
quality and quantity challenges that are both pressing and ongoing.
Persistent threats and challenges, and disastrous chemical spills
highlight the importance of safe drinking water to public health and
local economies,” the SWC said in a news release.
“The public and private costs of inaction can be extensive.
Together, we must consider lessons learned over the past decade and
apply newly available resources to prioritize threats and protect
drinking water sources, both surface and ground water. A realistic assessment of recent events demonstrates that additional
action by federal, state, and local partners can and must be taken to
effectively protect drinking water sources,” the SWC said.
The organization recommends several actions to ensure all drinking water sources are adequately
protected:
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Update/improve source water assessments and protection plans to prioritize risks and actions, by leveraging new data and tools.
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Take priority actions to protect sources of drinking water, working with key partners.
-
Co-ordinate,
plan, and communicate in advance with key “upstream” partners as well
as within water utilities to help ensure that, in an event, rapid
emergency notification is provided to facilitate activation of
mitigation measures.
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