What is Source Water Assessment and Protection?
Most drinking water systems in South Dakota depend on ground water for their source of drinking water. However, there are other public drinking water systems that depend on surface water supplies such as lakes and streams for their drinking water. In either case, it is likely that the drinking water system is using that source because there is not another reliable, high quality source of water available or the cost for the other source is prohibitive. Therefore, to protect the future of our state, it is important to protect our water supplies from potential contaminant sources. The federal 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act’s “Source Water Assessment and Protection Program” utilizes pollution prevention measures that focus on protecting the area surrounding a public drinking water supply. This program requires each state to identify existing and potential pollution sources that may impact the quality of public drinking water supplies. The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Re
