A Call to Action

by Jennifer Wemhoff, The Groundwater Foundation

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 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 groundwater. Additional action by federal, state, and local partners can and must be taken to effectively protect drinking water sources.

 

As a member of the national Source Water Collaborative (SWC), The Groundwater Foundation shares the group's vision - all drinking water sources are adequately protected. As such, we are happy to share in its "Call to Action: A Recommitment to Assessing and Protecting Sources of Drinking Water."

 

This call to action stresses the fact that source water protection ultimately takes place at the local level and, those on the front lines of drinking water protection – drinking water utilities and local governments, supported by state, federal, and community-sponsored programs – have unique opportunities to defend drinking water. Federal agencies can provide tools and data, and leverage programs and authorities to protect drinking water sources. Other source water partners, including SWC members and their constituents, also play vital roles. All SWC members and other stakeholders can seize opportunities to establish, participate in or support state and local collaboratives to protect drinking water sources. Defending drinking water is truly a shared responsibility among all concerned stakeholders!

 

Read the full Call to Action here: http://www.sourcewatercollaborative.org/wp-content/themes/sm-swc/img/SWC-calltoaction-v11.pdf.

 

How can YOU take action to protect our nation's source waters?

Free Toolkit Offers Step-by-Step Guide for Partnering with Conservation Districts

The Source Water Collaborative (SWC) recently announced a new online toolkit to facilitate partnerships to protect drinking water sources through agriculture conservation practices, stormwater and forest management. The Groundwater Foundation is a member of the Collaborative.

 

The toolkit offers effective steps source water protection professionals working at the local or state level can take to build partnerships with conservation district staff. 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.

 

Vetted by the SWC’s National Association of Conservation District, the toolkit offers key information to help understand what conservation districts do, how they are structured, their funding sources and partners; easy connection to the right contacts in your area; 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; tips for getting involved in the state technical committee meeting; and useful information for a variety of audiences – from those who have never worked with their conservation district, to those who have attempted, but have not had success.

 

“The nature of the challenge we collectively face, in seeking to protect sources of drinking water, is that none of us can do it alone. We must work collaboratively with an array of partners,” said Jim Taft, SWC Steering Committee Co-Chair and ASDWA Executive Director. “One of our most valued partners, in this endeavor, is the National Association of Conservation Districts. Through their extensive reach and breadth at the state and county levels, NACD members make tangible, positive impacts  on water resources generally, and on sources of drinking water, in particular. This online tool is designed to make it easy and convenient to understand where, when and how to interact with our NACD partners in collaborative efforts designed to protect drinking water sources.”

Kate Keppen, Watershed Coordinator for the Berks County, Pennsylvania Conservation District says, “The Berks County Conservation District believes that working together with other stakeholders that have similar goals is one of the ideal ways to protect drinking water resources. Working together is proven to better achieve common goals and be more efficient in both time and money. Thus, by working with the Schuylkill Action Network, which connects multi-leveled government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private businesses, I feel that our Conservation District has been able to more effectively achieve our mission to protect soil and water resources for future generations. The SWC’s online tool makes it easier to identify those other organizations that may have similar goals.”

Find the toolkit at http://www.sourcewatercollaborative.com/swp-conservation-partners-toolkit/.