There are a number of ways by which we can protect drinking water
from contamination. These include:
- preventing organisms or contaminants getting into water in
the first place
- holding water in protected storages such as reservoirs
- treating water, e.g. water treatment plants
- preventing contamination of water in pipes
- using plumbing controls to prevent cross-connections.
By using this multi-stage approach, there is a better chance
that we can maintain high water quality than if only one method
was used to protect water from contamination. A failure in one
area may be compensated for by the remaining areas.
The EPA WPO knows the best way to prevent pollution of drinking
water supplies is to make sure that the land from which the water
is collected is in the best possible condition. It is better to
ensure that the water is of high quality initially, rather than
trying to fix it later on. However, looking after the watershed
needs the participation and support of those who live in the watershed,
as well as regulators and government.
The challenge for the EPA WPO who takes on a role to protect
and improve the quality of water in the watershed is to work out
how to balance the use of many tools to address risks to water
quality and watershed health. Some of these tools may include:
- enforce pollution control powers and guidelines
- use the powers of other agencies (water protection zoning,
and control or prohibition of inappropriate development) to
manage land use
- use incentives and assistance programs (e.g. riparian area
protection)
- educate people (e.g. school programs, ranger-based tours and
informative brochures)
- encourage federal, state and local governments to support
catchment management.
It is usually best if a number of approaches are taken at the
same time, rather than just one.
