Some of the most pressing water quality issues currently faced by water utilities are not easily addressed by conventional regulatory programs. Non-point source runoff from agriculture and other disturbed environments is particularly difficult to address and can result in direct contamination of water sources as well as leading to secondary problems such as HAB formation discussed above. To combat this type of contamination problem, local, non-regulatory programs related to source water protection are increasingly important and new partnerships are needed to implement them.
The Source Water Collaborative (SWC) (AMWA is a founding member) recently announced a new online toolkit to facilitate such partnerships to protect drinking water sources through agriculture conservation practices as well as stormwater and forest management. The toolkit offers effective steps that source water protection professionals working at the local or state level can take to build partnerships with conservation district staff.
Vetted by the National Association of Conservation Districts (also a SWC member), the toolkit offers:
- Key information to help understand what conservation districts do, how they are structured, and their funding sources and partners;
- Easy connection to the right contacts in local areas;
- Preparation tips and suggested meeting approaches to be more successful in collaborating with the conservation district;
- Success stories from peers who worked with conservation districts to protect drinking water; and
- Tips for getting involved in state technical committee meetings.
The toolkit is designed for a variety of audiences – from those who have never worked with their conservation district, to those who have attempted but without success, to those who would like to enhance their current efforts.