2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

REPORT

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 2

LETTER FROM THE SOURCE WATER COLLABORATIVE CO-CHAIRS 2016 marked the Source Water Collaborative’s 10th year. In 2006, fourteen national organizations, concerned about the implications of shifting landscapes and quickly expanding developments on the safety and sustainability of drinking water supplies, gathered to discuss how together they could help make source water protection an integral part of land use and development decisions. The meeting objective was simple: define a broad agenda to guide their collective efforts and bring new energy and awareness to source water protection. What started as an opportunity to converse, build shared understanding, and improve coordination quickly grew into something more. New source water assessments, years in the making, had recently been completed for over 160,000 public water systems. Attendees realized they were faced with an opportunity, that by acting together now, they could protect sources of drinking water for generations to come.

What grew out of these initial conversations would become the national Source Water Collaborative. Over the past ten years, the Collaborative has experienced tremendous growth and progress—the original fourteen members is now twenty-seven, after welcoming our newest member, American Rivers, in 2016. Our one-stop-shop website boasts a compendium of valuable resources and targeted toolkits, products of member collaborations, while our Twitter feed (@sourcewatercol) has quickly become the place for source water protection news, updates, and member accomplishments. The tremendously popular Learning Exchange webinars and participation at high-profile national conferences have greatly expanded our reach and impact.

Central to this success has been a readiness to adapt. Challenges to securing clean drinking water are becoming more complex and more interdependent across sectors and geographies. Aging infrastructure, increasing water demand, extreme weather, emerging contaminants, and rapidly developing landscapes are taxing capacities and driving up the cost of water treatment, underscoring our dependence on a secure water supply and the urgency of source water protection. As challenges emerge and shift, we will continue to be open to working in new ways, taking advantage of new technologies to reframe problems and crowdsource solutions, as we have in this year’s Reinforce the Source Innovation Challenge.

While the last ten years have been marked by change, the core principle that defined those early meetings — that by working together and combining their strengths, resources, and will to action, this diverse set of member organizations would be able to realize far greater successes than by working alone — still provides the foundation of the Collaborative’s approach and success today.

The Source Water Collaborative owes much of its success and current position to the leadership, vision, and good will of Jim Taft, who retired in January 2017 after several years as the SWC Steering Committee Co-Chair. Jim’s career spanned nearly 40 years in the water industry including leadership positions at the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Jim possessed the uncanny ability to find an agreeable outcome from the impossible noise of twenty-seven different and often divergent voices. He recognized this diversity as the Collaborative’s true strength and, with characteristic grace and an open mind, he fostered this dialogue and the Collaborative to a place of prominence, while honoring and strengthening its core values. As the Source Water Collaborative begins its second decade, we will strive to carry on his legacy of fine work and leadership, taking inspiration in asking ourselves “what would Jim Taft do?”.

Dan YatesAlan Roberson

Co-Chairs, SWC Steering Committee

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 3

OUR V IS IONAll drinking water sources are adequately protected. As a result,

the nation gains profound public health as well as economic benefits.

2016 GOALS

Promote a National Source Water Protection Call to Action

Facilitate communication and showcase successful

source water protection

Refresh and promote Source Water

Collaborative tools

Share updates onmember activities

and sourcewater protection

developments

1 2 3

1 2 3

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 4

2016 BY THE NUMBERS

40 MILLION

2015

42 MILLION

2016

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE IN THE SWC

26 27

2015 2016

WATERSHED LEVEL COLLABORATIVES

STATE LEVEL COLLABORATIVES

LOCAL LEVEL COLLABORATIVES

1776

INCREASE

EMAIL DISTRIBUTION SOCIAL MEDIA REACH VISITS TO SWC TOOLS

A NEWLY-FORMED WATERSHED-LEVEL COLLABORATIVE IN 2016 PROTECTS DRINKING WATER FOR ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION PEOPLE

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 5

2016 MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Inform and influence land use decisions that adequately consider potential impacts to drinking water sources.In Tucson, AZ, American Rivers completed a water budget model for the Tanque Verde and Sabino Creek that identifies specific stream reaches where water conservation and source substitution efforts can achieve optimal aquifer recharge and stream flow restoration. The partners initiated targeted outreach, based on flow budget results, to engage Tanque Verde and Sabino Creek residents in water conservation efforts. Flow budget graphs and additional details can be found here.

Encourage land conservation practitioners to prioritize working with landowners, drinking water supplies and other interested parties to protect undeveloped land. The National Rural Water Association has specialists who are partnering with conservation districts, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), state agencies, and communities to promote the benefits of cover crops in reducing nutrient runoff. In Missouri, the partnership applied and received an NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant. Learn more by visiting the SWC’s Nutrient Reduction Successes Learning Exchange webpage.

Encourage and support collaborative approaches to source water protection.The U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities provided funding through the Healthy Watersheds Consortium to support financing of collaborative watershed protection projects, accelerating protections for source water across the U.S.

25,000 ACRESCover crops to be established in Missouri

$1.4 MILLIONGrant funds awarded to protect watersheds

Key Partners: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Soil and Water Conservation

Districts, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

Key Partners: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities

Sabino Creek, AZ surveyPhoto courtesy of Catlow Shipek

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 6

2016 MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2.8 MILLION ACRE WATERSHED AREA 500,000 PEOPLE’S DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

Identify funding strategies for priority measures that protect source water.American Rivers launched an initiative to create a funding stream from municipal and commercial water users to protect forested lands along rivers flowing into the Winyah Bay. As part of this effort, American Rivers formed the Pee Dee Clean Water Study Group, a consortium of municipal and industrial water users, agencies, and conservation partners. The study group’s charge is to understand current and future threats to clean water sources and develop approaches for addressing those threats. The study group identified a 2.8 million acre region of the watershed as its focus and established three issue committees to assess landownership patterns, changes expected from future growth, and science-based information for understanding source water priorities.

Communicate the importance of source water protection to local, state, and federal decision-makers.Association of State Drinking Water Administrators was a technical co-sponsor for the American Water Works Association’s Sustainable Water Management Conference that was held March 2016 in Providence, RI. This included working with partners to develop a three - session series on source water protection and doing a presentation about the Source Water Collaborative tools.

Update and improve source water assessments and protection plans to prioritize risks and actions, by leveraging new data and tools.American Water Works Association partnered with Denver Water and other stakeholders to update best management practices and to draft emergency response notification procedures for the Fraser River Source Water Planning effort.

Key Partners: Rhode Island and Connecticut state drink-ing water programs, AWWA, EPA Region 1, the U.S.

Endowment for Forestry and Communities

Key Partners: Denver Water, Colorado Rural Water Association, Park County, Douglas County

Map of the Pee Dee River Basin. Credit: Wikimedia

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 7

2016 MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION LEADERSHIP FORUM

In December 2016, EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 3) convened its first Source Water Protection Leadership

Forum attracting more than 50 participants from state and local governments, river basin commissions, water

utilities, environmental organizations, and academia to discuss ways to protect drinking water supplies in the

Mid-Atlantic Region.

The goal of the forum was to share best practices, explore different solutions to common drinking water

challenges, and promote networking among nine regional and local partnerships. Topics included national

source water protection activities, forming and sustaining local and regional collaboratives, protecting drinking

water supplies through regulatory action, addressing excess nutrients in local waterways, monitoring and

modeling for emergency response, and leveraging resources and funding. Forum participants will continue

to explore ways to share information and lessons learned to further promote and strengthen source water

protection and the resilience of drinking water supplies in their region.

COLLABORATIVES IN ATTENDANCE:

• Delaware River Watershed Source Water Collaborative

• Eastern Lancaster County Source Water Collaborative

• Lower Susquehanna Source Water Protection Partnership

• Northern Pennsylvania Source Water Protection Coalition

• Octoraro Watershed Source Water Collaborative

• Potomac Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership

• River Alert Information Network

• Schuylkill Action Network

• Christina Basin Clean Water Partnership

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 8

2016 MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Work with local and state partners on priority actions that prevent and/or mitigate the potential for source water contaminationThe Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Source Water Protection Program worked with a range of partners to establish the Iowa Source Water Agriculture Collaborative. The Collaborative is specific to agriculture businesses in Iowa and emphasizes on source water protection to support Iowa’s nutrient reduction strategy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s soil health initiative. The agriculture sector is well positioned to support non-point source reduction across the state with funding from both public and private sectors. The Iowa Source Water Agriculture Collaborative members are primarily agriculture business representatives and conservation agencies and groups, which assist Iowa Department of Natural Resources in outreach, information and education.

Coordinate with states and water utilities in developing source water assessments and implementing protective measures.Colorado Rural Water Specialists partnered with the City of Idaho Springs; the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety; and Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association to develop and implement management approaches identified in their Source Water Protection Plan. Significant potential issues included wildfire and runoff from spills and roads – including abandoned mine areas and future mining activities.

Collaborators tour source water project locations to reconnect on important next steps.

Click this Map of Collaborative Efforts to read more

about the Iowa Source Water Agriculture Collaborative.

Photo credit: Mark Williams

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 9

2016 IN REVIEW

42

States (and 1 province) represented at Learning

Exchange events

400+Participants attended

Learning Exchange webinars and virtual discussions

27Stories of Success shared

on the Source Water Collaborative website

THE LEARNING EXCHANGE

Uniting people and organizations to solve source water problems is at the core of the Source Water Collaborative’s mission. The National Source Water Collaborative (SWC) offers a unique vehicle to bring together various perspectives and expertise that organizations may not be able to access on their own. The SWC Learning Exchange, a new information-sharing platform, takes advantage of the platforms of our national members and network of local collaborative organizations to provide a powerful venue for participants to connect with partners and build collective understanding. In 2016, the Learning Exchange hosted learning opportunities across four topic-specific modules – Creative Partnerships; Forming & Sustaining Source Water Protection Collaboratives; Accelerating Investment in Source Water Protection; and Nutrient Reduction Successes. Through webinars, social media forums, and our website, collaborators convened to share successes and challenges, converse with peers, and learn about technical and educational resources to support their efforts. Look for additional Learning Exchange opportunities in 2017, including in the first module, Linking Source Water Protection to Emergency Preparedness. The Learning Exchange webpage.

Click image to open site.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 0

REINFORCE THE SOURCE INNOVATION CHALLENGECrowdsourcing to deliver new source water protection tools.

The Problem. Thousands of pollutants are present in sources of drinking water. Unassisted, states do not have sufficient resources to develop Clean Water Act Water Quality Standards for all priority contaminants in a timely manner, leaving our drinking water sources exposed.

The Solution. Host an Innovation Challenge! In 2016, the Reinforce the Source Innovation Challenge asked “solvers” to create designs for an intuitive, user-friendly online information library where regulators and the public can share information on contaminants of concern to speed up development of Water Quality Standards, thereby improving our source water defenses.

What’s Next? The Collaborative is exploring options to build out and host the tool. Stay tuned for updates on the Source Water Collaborative website.

SOURCE TO TAP: A CLEAN WATER ACT-SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT INFOGRAPHICFostering source water protection at the state and local levels.In early 2016, the collaborative unveiled Source to Tap, an interactive infographic that invites users to navigate across a watershed to learn how they can engage in Clean Water Act programs and public processes to protect drinking water sources. A companion to the 2014 Opportunities to Protect Drinking Water Sources and Advance Watershed Goals independently developed by collaborative members, Source to Tap provides a succinct, visual guide that helps demystify the various Clean Water Act tools and describes how a wide range of stakeholders – from watershed advocates to utility managers – can help protect sources of drinking water by bringing knowledge, data, and important perspectives to the table.

Step 1: Access Source to Tap on the Source Water Collaborative website. Step 2: Get involved!

Home screen of the winning web design. After three rounds of mini-challenges, we selected and rewarded a final grand prize winner and two runners up.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 1

JOIN US IN WELCOMING AMERICAN RIVERS TO THE SOURCE WATER COLLABORATIVE!American Rivers brings an impressive record of clean water successes and a far-ranging network of committed advocates that seek practical, on-the-ground, sustainable solutions to fulfill their vision of a nation of clean, healthy rivers that sustain and connect us.

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers. American Rivers works with partners including water utilities, private landowners, and government to protect source waters in a variety of ways. Key efforts include creating funding mechanisms, securing local codes and ordinances, establishing conservation easements, improving federal forest management, and designating Wild and Scenic rivers.

Jamie Mierau will represent American Rivers on the Collaborative and our Steering Committee. The Source Water Collaborative is thrilled to gain her energy, expertise, and vision. SWC Member Representative, Jamie Mierau

Credit: Brett Hockmuth Credit: Take Me Fishing

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 2

WHAT’S ON TAP IN 2017

CONTINUING THE LEARNING EXCHANGEIn 2016 the Learning Exchange invigorated engagement and interest in the Source Water Collaborative, helping to expand three-fold the number of persons and organizations receiving email updates, inspiring new partnerships, and helping attract new members (welcome American Rivers!). Building on the successes and momentum of the 2016 Learning Exchange, the Source Water Collaborative is committed to continuing this effort into 2017. The Learning Exchange kicked off with a flurry of activity in the latter half of 2016, hosting four separate learning modules. In 2017 we will take a closer look at a few topics of interest that members and Learning Exchange contributors have expressed strong interest in exploring in greater detail.

Already in the books for 2017 is the Linking Source Water Protection and Emergency Preparedness module. An exchange featuring presentations and a discussion session on the recent Potomac River sheen discharge event that helped spawn the Source Water Preparedness Discussion Group, which aims to improve coordination and information sharing on issues and efforts related to contaminant spill prevention and response. A module on accessing Farm Bill-supported programs for SWP will begin in late 2017. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about how you can build partnerships to access funding and bring key Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation partners to the table for project planning and implementation.

Representatives from Fairfax Water and Metropolitan Council of Governments shared lessons from the

Potomac Sheen incident in 2016.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 3

WHAT’S ON TAP IN 2017

LAUNCHED NEW SWC REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP) SUBGROUPAgricultural runoff containing nitrogen, phosphorous, pathogens, and sediment contributes to polluted drinking water sources. This poses a widespread, costly, and challenging threat to the safety of our drinking water, driving harmful algal blooms, nitrate contamination of aquifers, and production of disinfection bi-products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports a number of programs that provide voluntary conservation assistance to producers and landowners to improve the nation’s water quality, enhance soil health, support wildlife, and protect agricultural viability — many of which are administered by Collaborative member Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in particular presents a tremendous opportunity to access funding for source water protection. In Fiscal Year 2017, over $250 million dollars will go to locally-driven, public-private partnerships nationwide. Similar commitments are expected in 2018.

Several SWC members are already actively engaged in RCPP — from participating in applications development (due annually in April), to building and expanding partnerships of existing RCPP projects to target funds for land protection in priority source water protection areas. In 2017 and beyond, an RCPP Subgroup will meet to discuss how, through the Learning Exchange and other communication outlets, the SWC’s diverse membership and networks can help leverage RCPP and other USDA programs to foster partnerships to advance source water protection efforts across the country.

Stay tuned for updates on RCPP-related events and resources via the SWC website, the Learning Exchange, and email.

Credit: USDA National Resources Conservation Service

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 4

APPENDIX: 2016 MEMBER PROJECTS

MEMBER ORGANIZATION PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS KEY PARTNERS IMPACT

American Rivers

Milwaukee, WI: Working with partners, American Rivers convened a series of conversations on lead pipe lateral concerns and long-term solutions to the problem.

Milwaukee Water Commons and Broadview Collaborative, Inc.

Secured dedicated funding to support American Rivers’ work to evaluate state drinking water and water affordability policies in the Great Lakes. That work will begin in 2017.

C.S. Mott Foundation and Great Lakes Environmental Law Center

Expect to have input sessions to highlight state policies important to communities and local advocates. Produce a report that will serve as a base for future advocacy efforts in the region.

American Rivers is working to update and influence the backlog of Forest Management Plans with a focus on protecting rivers and drinking water through Wild and Scenic River designation and other conservation tools.

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

AWWA is working with its members to encourage the development of at least five Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) pre-proposals in early 2017, plus foster other collaborations between the utility sector and USDA programs working with agricultural partners. In addition to working with members to submit proposals, we are seeking ways to publish more utility’s experiences with working with these programs to help foster additional collaborations.

Multiple utilities and other key partners

Expected to bring into focus several million dollars of funding that helps to protect source waters while having additional quality and conservation benefits.

AWWA and Denver Water provided updated best management practices (BMPs) to the Fraser River Source Water Protection Planning effort.

Denver Water, Park County, and Douglas County

Two signed MOUs.

AWWA and Denver Water and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) provided spill kits to local fire departments.

Denver Water and CUSP Distributed 10 spill kits.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 5

APPENDIX: 2016 MEMBER PROJECTS

MEMBER ORGANIZATION PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS KEY PARTNERS IMPACT

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Denver Water is a stakeholder in the Fraser Source Water Protection Planning Effort and has worked with the other partners and stakeholders to draft an emergency response notification procedure.

Denver Water and Colorado Rural Water Association.

Attended quarterly meetings for the Fraser Source Water Protection Plan, and provided emergency response contact information.

The Water Research published a new report that provides a detailed methodology for identifying potential sources of contamination upstream of drinking water intakes, particularly from above ground storage tanks (ASTs). A Methodology for Locating and Managing Dynamic Potential Source Water Contaminant Data (#4581) was designed to help water utilities complete and update source water characterizations, develop action plans, implement source water protection (SWP) practices, and evaluation and revise their SWP programs. This report complements the ANSI/AWWA G300 Standard and contributes to emergency preparedness, incident response, and health and safety management efforts.

American Water Works Association, West Virginia American Water Company, Aqua America, Inc., Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Participating Utilities, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Fairfax Water, Loudoun Water, Washington Aqueduct, City of Rockville, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, DC Water, City of Leesburg, Prince William County Service Authority

This project developed a methodology for identifying potential sources of contamination upstream of drinking water intakes. This methodology will help drinking water utilities enhance and maintain their source water characterizations and emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA)

Shared information with State Drinking Water Programs about a variety of state and national source water protection and all-hazards based efforts and tools through:

• Sessions and presentations at ASDWA’s meetings and conferences, and via webinar;

• The ASDWA Source Water News and Security Notes blogs;

• The ASDWA Security and Climate Change Committee calls; and

• The ASDWA and GWPC joint Source Water Committee conference calls.

GWPC, State Environmental and Public Health Agencies

ASDWA and GWPC convened quarterly conference calls with approximately 30 state representatives that participate on the committees. Approximately 18 states participate in the Security Committee, and ten states participate in the Climate Change Committee. ASDWA conducts a Member Meeting and Annual Conference every year and hosts additional webinars that include sessions and presentations on source water protection and hazard resilience related topics. ASDWA posts approximately 8-10 articles per month on its two news blogs (www.asdwa.org/blogs).

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 6

APPENDIX: 2016 MEMBER PROJECTS

MEMBER ORGANIZATION PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS KEY PARTNERS IMPACT

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Source Water Protection Program collaborated with other offices at EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, and numerous private companies to issue the 2016 Urban Waters Five Star Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP emphasizes source water protection as one of its priority project areas.

Forest Service, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Private Industry

$2.5 million available in combined total funding

EPA released version 2.0 of Drinking Water Mapping Tool for Protecting Source Waters (DWMAPS), a powerful geospatial tool for assessing potential sources of contamination to drinking water. It is designed to share critical information with local communities and stakeholders. EPA worked with partners to test and integrate stakeholder feedback into the public version of DWMAPS.

AWWA, AMWA, ASDWA, GWPC

22 state and utility focus group members with experience in 15 states and 10 geographic regions provided valuable input to DWMAPS

EPA hosted five workshops in locations across the country to support regional, state, and local source water protection efforts. A wide range of participants convened to share best practices, explore solutions to common drinking water challenges, and to improve networking and coordiation among regional and local partnerships. Common topics included forming source water protection partnerships, addressing nutrient pollution in waterways, public and private forestry and wildfires, data frameworks for emergency preparedness and response, local land use and planning, and funding strategies.

Rain River Alert Information Network (RAIN), Colorado Department of Public Health, Colorado Watershed Assembly, Vermont Rural Water Association

Over 230 total participants acrossfour workshops held in:

• Pittsburgh, PA• Philadelphia, PA• Longmont, CO • Lyndonville, VT• Manchester, VT

EPA released Online Source Water Monitoring for Water Quality Surveillance and Response Systems. This document provides guidance on the design of a Source Water Monitoring system that is based on best practices and lessons learned from existing Source Water Monitoring systems.

Philadelphia Water Department, City of Fort Collins Utilities, Aurora Water, Seattle Public Utilities

National Ground Water Association

With support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NGWA created private well owner educational tools related to source water protection (i.e. proper well construction, well system maintenance, water testing, and groundwater protection). The tools include 12 new online lessons and 10 new webinars, bringing the total available lessons to 27 and webinars to 22. NGWA also created a well owner app and online well owner’s manual to foster stewardship of groundwater and well systems.

U.S. EPA, Rural Community Assistance Partnership.

Thousands of well owners and homeowners have been reached with source water protection information; scores of federal, state, and local agency websites have posted or shared the tools.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 7

APPENDIX: 2016 MEMBER PROJECTS

National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

NRWA is a nation-wide program, which is funded through USDA-FSA with 54 Source Water Protection Specialists working in every state to assist communities in completing and implementing Source Water Protection (SWP) activities. NRWA’s Source Water Protection Specialists work with local communities to address individual needs of each community. NRWA’s Source Water Protection Specialists help communities address issues.

Farm Services Agency, State Primacy agencies, Towns and small water systems, local conservation districts

Minnesota Rural Water Specialists partnering with local conservation districts, local farmers and communities, state agricultural department, primacy agency, and NRCS, are conducting long term studies – with measurements being taken in the fields – on nitrate inhibitors and nitrate application practices to find out what works best in reducing nitrates in drinking water wells.

State primacy, state agricultural department, NRCS, Conservation districts, local farmers, towns

Minnesota has farmers actively participating in the development of BMPs.

Vermont Rural Water Specialists and Granite State (New Hampshire) Rurual Water Specialists are working with local communities to address storm water runoff and failing septic systems as a source of nutrients in ground and surface water.

County/city planners Vermont and Granite State-Development of BMPs for septic system maintenance and storm water management.

West Virginia Rural Water Specialists are working on sources of bromide in surface water from fluids associated with oil and gas production and impacts on disinfection at surface water treatment facilities.

Colorado Rural Water Specialists partnered with the City of Idaho Springs; the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety; and the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association to develop and implement management approaches identified in their Source Water Protection Plan. Significant potential issues included wildfire and runoff from spills and roads – including abandoned mine areas and future mining activities.

City of Idaho Springs; state primacy; state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety; Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association

Received a $5,000 Development and Implementation Grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement protection activities.

Idaho Rural Water specialist worked with City of Fruitland to develop its first source water protection plan. Since then, its surface water system has been activated, so the SWPP is being updated to include its new surface water system information. Performed enhanced potential contaminant source inventory for active ground water wells and surface water intake. Met with General Manager to rank potential contaminant sources.

City of Fruitland Source Water Protection Plans are not one and done projects, but require frequent reviews to update and modify as local conditions change.

2 0 1 6 : O U R 1 0 T H Y E A R O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N I N A C T I O N | 1 8

APPENDIX: 2016 MEMBER PROJECTS

MEMBER ORGANIZATION PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS KEY PARTNERS IMPACT

The Trust for Public Land (TPL)

As part of its ongoing efforts to conserve priority landscapes in the Sierra Nevada, TPL developed the Northern Sierra Conservation Assessment, which prioritizes important areas in the Sierra Nevada and Feather River Watershed for land conservation. One of the four priorities in this analysis tool is the protection of water resources. This effort is part of TPL’s Sierra Checkerboard Initiative, a strategic effort to consolidate and protect privately held lands and establish a pattern of ownership that meets the human, economic, and ecological needs of the Sierra Nevada.

Northern Sierra Partnership Members, State Agencies, Federal Agencies and Subject Experts

The Assessment will identify lands in the Northern Sierra that contain landscape features such as forested areas important to surface drinking water; natural features critical to surface water quality; and areas critical to groundwater recharge.