{"id":211,"date":"2016-04-15T14:32:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-15T14:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/?page_id=211"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:47:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:47:42","slug":"source-water-protection-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-protection-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Source Water Protection Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-211\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-211-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-211-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-211-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<figure id=\"attachment_212\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-212\" style=\"width: 261px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-212 size-full\" title=\"Grow Zone sign\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/04\/SWPP.jpg\" alt=\"Grow Zone sign\" width=\"261\" height=\"204\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-212\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source water protection initiatives in Virginia; photos by Roy Soto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>About 7.2 million Virginians rely on waterworks for potable water. Protecting the quality of our drinking water sources by preventing and reducing their contamination is one of the best approaches to ensuring the sustainability of our drinking water supply. Hence, waterworks should consider adding source water protection as part of their multi-barrier approach to provide safe drinking water.<\/p>\n<p>The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) recognizes that development and implementation of source water protection measures may be achieved in several ways. Therefore, VDH-ODW continues to improve the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/office-of-drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-assessment-program\/\">Source Water Assessment Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One improvement has been to amend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/04\/2014VDH_SWPP_Definitions.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Virginia\u2019s Source Water Protection Program definitions<\/a>. The amended definitions introduce an opportunity for waterworks to obtain \u201csubstantial implementation\u201d status credits for the completion of source water protection initiatives by direct or indirect partners. Partners may be from local, state, and federal government programs, citizen groups, and the business community. This updated approach to evaluating program success (\u201csubstantial implementation\u201d status credits) emphasizes the benefits of collaboration with outside resources; in most cases waterworks alone have limited options to protect their source(s).<\/p>\n<p>VDH-ODW submits annual progress reports to the Environmental Protection Agency about the protection status of community water systems in Virginia. VDH-ODW or its contractors may inquire about the availability of a protection \u201cstrategy in-place\u201d and activities that may support \u201csubstantial implementation\u201d status during their interactions with community waterworks. A source water protection program annual survey is typically performed from June to August of each year.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/office-of-drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-protection-assistance-funding-opportunities\/\">Assistance and Funding Opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Source Water Protection Plan Development and Implementation Assistance<\/li>\n<li>VDH-ODW Source Water Protection Direct Technical Assistance<\/li>\n<li>Source Water Protection Implementation Grants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\"><b data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Waterworks Funding Opportunities for Source Water Protection - December 2025<\/b><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" role=\"presentation\">12\/5\/25 Webinar Recording: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/YWtiPd33_zA\">Click Here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" role=\"presentation\">12\/5\/25 Webinar Slides: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025_12_05-SWP-Webinar_Slide-handout.pdf\">Click Here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Below are the general steps in forming a Source Water Protection Plan. These resources and information could benefit anyone wanting to know more about Source Water Protection Plans, but are generally geared towards larger waterworks. For waterworks serving a population less than 50,000, please contact the ODW source water protection contractor\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2017\/09\/SWPP_Contractor_2017.jpg\">associated with your area<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-211-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_pt_tabs pt-widget-tabs panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-tabs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"widget-title\">Resources for Waterworks<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"pt-tabs__navigation  nav  nav-tabs\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link  active\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-1-collaborations\" role=\"tab\">Step 1: Collaborations<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-2-form-a-local-advisory-committee\" role=\"tab\">Step 2: Form a Local Advisory Committee<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-3-request-source-water-assessment-information\" role=\"tab\">Step 3: Request Source Water Assessment Information<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-4-collect-additional-information\" role=\"tab\">Step 4: Collect Additional Information<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-5-develop-a-swpp\" role=\"tab\">Step 5: Develop a SWPP<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-6-implement-the-swpp\" role=\"tab\">Step 6: Implement the SWPP<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"nav-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"nav-link\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#tab-step-7-review-and-update-plan\" role=\"tab\">Step 7: Review and Update Plan<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-tabs__content  tab-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade  in  active\" id=\"tab-step-1-collaborations\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e71\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e71-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e71-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e71-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w699f51deb8e71-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>A source water collaborative is\u00a0a group of\u00a0partners, across organizational and jurisdictional boundaries, to protect drinking water at the source. Below are some of the benefits of collaborations the National Source Water Collaborative includes in their toolkit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Increases recognition of need for protecting drinking water sources.<\/li>\n<li>Cost-effective approach with broader impact rather than \u201cgoing it alone.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Aligns diverse efforts for mutual benefit (conservation, regulation, planning, and\/or economic development).<\/li>\n<li>Brings together those with authority and influence to solve problems.<\/li>\n<li>Creates a shared vision and common goals.<\/li>\n<li>Fosters new ideas and identifies opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Reveals gaps and promotes integrated solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Combines and applies expertise to solve problems.<\/li>\n<li>Offers a forum for regular and open communication.<\/li>\n<li>Provides cohesive messaging for protection.<\/li>\n<li>Uses a voluntary approach while leveraging current state and federal programs more effectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/sourcewatercollaborative.org\/how-to-collaborate-toolkit\/\">Source Water Collaborative\u2019s Collaboration Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Examples of Collaboratives:\n<ul>\n<li>Local:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.otsegosoilandwater.com\/wqcc\">Ostego County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (NY<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>State:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/ncswc.org\/\">North Carolina Source Water Collaborative<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Multi-State\/Regional\/Watershed:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.potomacdwspp.org\/\">Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-2-form-a-local-advisory-committee\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e75\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e75-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e75-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e75-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The purpose of the Local Advisory Committee\u00a0is to evaluate the site-specific risks to the source water, develop site specific recommended actions to mitigate the risks, and to ensure that the recommended actions are implemented.\u00a0The committee\u00a0involves the community in this process by incorporating community members and local officials into its membership, and by holding meetings with local stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>Resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forming a Local Advisory Committee -\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wvdhhr.org\/oehs\/eed\/swap\/documents\/SB_373\/Updated_2016\/2_Supplemental%20Guide%20I-Protection_team_1_26_16.pdf\">A resource from the West Virginia Department of the Environment (DEP)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-3-request-source-water-assessment-information\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e77\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e77-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e77-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e77-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Source water assessments were initially developed and completed in 2003 for drinking water sources across the Commonwealth\u00a0as a result of the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gpo.gov\/fdsys\/pkg\/PLAW-104publ182\/html\/PLAW-104publ182.htm\">1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Section 1453<\/a>. ODW continues to maintain this program by delineating an assessment area for each drinking water source and creating an inventory of potential sources of contamination using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These reports and maps are available upon request - please contact ODW's <a href=\"mailto:sourcewater@vdh.virginia.gov\">Source Water Programs Team<\/a> for copies or additional information on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-assessment-program\/\">Source Water Assessment Program<\/a>. These data can prove to be especially useful in the initial data collection process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-4-collect-additional-information\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e79\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e79-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e79-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e79-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>ODW's source water assessment information is only the first step in information collection. It is important to recognize that ODW's source water assessment information is a baseline assessment utilizing publicly available information. Local knowledge is critical in verifying and updating this information. Examples of refining and updating source water protection information include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Updating or expanding the delineation area to reflect hydrogeological conditions<\/li>\n<li>Updating and verifying the Potential Sources of Contamination though public input\u00a0or windshield surveys\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more information on enhancing your source water assessment data, see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nepis.epa.gov\/Exe\/ZyNET.exe\/60000CH0.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&amp;Client=EPA&amp;Index=2006+Thru+2010&amp;Docs=&amp;Query=&amp;Time=&amp;EndTime=&amp;SearchMethod=1&amp;TocRestrict=n&amp;Toc=&amp;TocEntry=&amp;QField=&amp;QFieldYear=&amp;QFieldMonth=&amp;QFieldDay=&amp;IntQFieldOp=0&amp;ExtQFieldOp=0&amp;XmlQuery=&amp;File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C06thru10%5CTxt%5C00000000%5C60000CH0.txt&amp;User=ANONYMOUS&amp;Password=anonymous&amp;SortMethod=h%7C-&amp;MaximumDocuments=1&amp;FuzzyDegree=0&amp;ImageQuality=r75g8\/r75g8\/x150y150g16\/i425&amp;Display=hpfr&amp;DefSeekPage=x&amp;SearchBack=ZyActionL&amp;Back=ZyActionS&amp;BackDesc=Results%20page&amp;MaximumPages=1&amp;ZyEntry=1&amp;SeekPage=x&amp;ZyPURL\">\u201cHow-To Manual: Update and Enhance Your Local Source Water Protection Assessments\u201d<\/a> from the USEPA.<\/p>\n<p>Once the source water assessment information is completed and verified, waterworks and\/or collaboratives can then collect any additional information that could be useful in source water protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-5-develop-a-swpp\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e7b\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e7b-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e7b-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e7b-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w699f51deb8e7b-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Below are templates for both groundwater and surface water sources. These are meant to be a guide for large waterworks who are developing a Source Water Protection Plan.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/04\/SWPP-for-Groundwater-Sources-Template.docx\">Source Water Protection Plan Template for Groundwater Sources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2017\/05\/SWPP-for-Surface-Water-Sources-Template.docx\">Source Water Protection Plan Template for Surface Water Sources<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Source Water Protection\u00a0Educational Brochure Template\u00a0<em>(Coming Soon)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/region8-waterops\/rcap-emergency-response-planning-template-public-drinking-water-systems\">Emergency Response Planning Template for Public Drinking Water Systems<\/a>\u201d produced for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership National Network and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (2005) was used to develop an Emergency Response Plan<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the Virginia Rural Water Association helps members serving less than 10,000 persons to develop and implement Source Water Protection Plans. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrwa.org\/AboutUs\/Services\/SourceWaterProtection.aspx\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Other planning tools are provided here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/programs-initiatives\/source-water-protection\">USDA Tools for Source Water Protection (AWWA)<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/waterresilience\">EPA\u2019s Water Resilience Resources<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-6-implement-the-swpp\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e7d\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e7d-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e7d-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e7d-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w699f51deb8e7d-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The initial step should be to discuss and assign tasks to their respective responsible parties. Timelines to implement the source water protection strategies should also be determined.\u00a0 Community members can determine the best process for completing activities within the projected time periods.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Numerous funding opportunities are available to aid communities in the implementation of source water protection initiatives.\u00a0 The following is a table of funding sources currently available to support source water protection in Virginia:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Source Water Protection Implementation Grants<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 Virginia Department of Health \u2013 Office of Drinking Water<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Grant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0This program supports the implementation of wellhead protection projects including well abandonment, educational outreach, wellhead fencing, advancing ordinances, emergency response planning, hazardous waste collection, and protection area delineation.\u00a0 This program requires that the waterworks have a protection strategy in-place (i.e. Source Water Protection Plan) and an active source water protection committee.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-protection-assistance-funding-opportunities\/\">https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-protection-assistance-funding-opportunities\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Drinking Water State Revolving Fund<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Virginia Department of Health \u2013 Office of Drinking Water<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Low interest loan with possible loan forgiveness<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides planning funding, which could be used to analyze solutions to source water measures or evaluate potential new sources.\u00a0 This program also provides low interest loans with possible principal forgiveness for waterworks construction projects including new wells and intake modifications, and low interest loans for waterworks to acquire land or conservation easements and to establish local voluntary incentive-based source water protection measures.\u00a0 Funding is prioritized for small, financially stressed, community waterworks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/financial-construction-assistance-programs\/\">https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/financial-construction-assistance-programs\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Nonpoint Source Management Implementation Grant Program<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Grant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides grants for watershed projects, demonstration and educational programs and nonpoint source pollution control program development.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/Programs\/Water\/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs\/NonpointSourcePollutionManagement.aspx\">http:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/Programs\/Water\/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs\/NonpointSourcePollutionManagement.aspx<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>The Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Cost-share<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program supports the acquisition and\/or development of public outdoor recreation areas.\u00a0 This may aid utilities in purchasing land in the SWPA when the source water protection goals do not conflict with the recreational use of the land.\u00a0 It should be noted that all LWCF assisted areas must be maintained and opened, in perpetuity, as public outdoor recreation areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/recreational-planning\/grants\">http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/recreational-planning\/grants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Stormwater Local Assistance Fund<\/u><\/strong><u>\u00a0<\/u>\u2013 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Cost-share<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This fund provides matching grants for stormwater projects including new stormwater best management practices, stormwater best management practice retrofits, stream restoration, low impact development projects, buffer restorations, pond retrofits, and wetlands restoration.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/clean-water-financing-and-assistance\/stormwater-local-assistance-fund-slaf\">https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/clean-water-financing-and-assistance\/stormwater-local-assistance-fund-slaf<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Virginia Wastewater Revolving Loan Fund<\/u><\/strong><u>\u00a0<\/u>\u2013 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Low interest loan<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides low interest loans for acquisition of title or other rights to real property to protect or improve water quality, and for storm water runoff control best management practices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/wastewater\">https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/wastewater<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund\u00a0<\/u><\/strong>\u2013 Virginia Department of Environmental Quality<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Low interest loan<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program primarily funds wastewater treatment projects, but also funds agricultural best management practices and non-point Source Pollution Abatement.\u00a0 This program can provide low interest loans to waterworks or localities to provide loans or other incentives to facilitate the implementation of agricultural best management practices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Links<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Land conservation -\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/clean-water-financing-and-assistance\/virginia-clean-water-revolving-loan-fund-vcwrlf\/land-conservation\">http:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/Programs\/Water\/CleanWaterFinancingAssistance\/LandConservation.aspx<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Stormwater - <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/stormwater\">https:\/\/www.deq.virginia.gov\/water\/stormwater<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Virginia Land Conservation Foundation<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Grant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: Grants are awarded to help fund the purchase of permanent conservation easements, open spaces and parklands, lands of historic or cultural significance, farmlands and forests, and natural areas.\u00a0 This program may allow public waterworks to permanently protect land in the SWPA at little cost to the waterworks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/virginia-land-conservation-foundation\/\">http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/virginia-land-conservation-foundation\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Other Virginia Department of Forestry funding programs<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: VDF administers a number of programs aimed at promoting healthy forests and wildlife habitat that may help waterworks to limit erosion on land that they control within the SWPA.\u00a0 Additionally, VDF administers programs aimed at supporting agricultural best management practices.\u00a0 Waterworks can use these programs to promote Best Management Practices within their SWPA.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dof.virginia.gov\/land-water-protection\/community-assistance-land-water-protection\/financial-assistance-programs-protecting-water-quality-in-communities\/\">https:\/\/dof.virginia.gov\/land-water-protection\/community-assistance-land-water-protection\/financial-assistance-programs-protecting-water-quality-in-communities\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 U.S. Endowment for Forestry &amp; Communities, Inc.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Grant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides grants to accelerate strategic protection of healthy, freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds. The primary focus for applicants should be protection and stewardship of the landscape that comprises the watershed, rather than restoration of degraded habitats or projects with a strictly water quality improvement outcome.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.usendowment.org\/healthywatersheds.html\">http:\/\/www.usendowment.org\/healthywatersheds.html<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Urban Waters Small Grants Program<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 US Environmental Protection Agency<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: Grant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides small grants to restore their urban waters in ways that also benefit community and economic revitalization.\u00a0 In general, projects should address local water quality issues related to urban runoff pollution, provide additional community benefits, actively engage underserved communities; and foster partnership<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/urbanwaterspartners\/urban-waters-small-grants\">https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/urbanwaterspartners\/urban-waters-small-grants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Regional Conservation Partnership Program<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding type<\/strong>: cost share<\/li>\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: This program provides funding to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation\u2019s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.\u00a0 The program connects partners with producers and private landowners to design and implement voluntary conservation solutions that benefit natural resources, agriculture, and the economy. Applicants must match or exceed the federal award with private or local funds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link<\/strong>:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/programs-initiatives\/regional-conservation-partnership-program\"> https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/programs-initiatives\/regional-conservation-partnership-program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tab-pane  fade\" id=\"tab-step-7-review-and-update-plan\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"pl-w699f51deb8e7f\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w699f51deb8e7f-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w699f51deb8e7f-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w699f51deb8e7f-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The Local Advisory Committee should review the plan every three years and determine if there is a need for plan updates. Keeping your plan current has several advantages. For example,\u00a0updating the potential sources of contamination inventory\u00a0or new mapping will ensure that the plan continues to identify any risks to the watershed and the source water. These reviews can also make the plan more robust by exploring new strategies that reflect new Best Management Practices or pursuing additional partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About 7.2 million Virginians rely on waterworks for potable water. Protecting the quality of our drinking water sources by preventing and reducing their contamination is one of the best approaches to ensuring the sustainability of our drinking water supply. Hence, waterworks should consider adding source water protection as part of their multi-barrier approach to provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":657,"featured_media":0,"parent":127,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-211","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Source Water Protection Program - Drinking Water<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/source-water-programs\/source-water-protection-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Source Water Protection Program - Drinking Water\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"About 7.2 million Virginians rely on waterworks for potable water. Protecting the quality of our drinking water sources by preventing and reducing their contamination is one of the best approaches to ensuring the sustainability of our drinking water supply. 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