This award recognizes systems that have made substantial
progress in implementing measures that protect their source water
from contamination. In addition, this year we extend special recognition to the Edwards Aquifer
Authority for coordinating source water protection in their
area of jurisdiction.
Criteria
To be recognized for having substantially implemented a source
water protection (SWP) plan, a public water system (PWS) must meet
these criteria:
- Completion of a SWP project in which both of these tasks were
accomplished:
- potential sources of contamination (PSOCs) identified in their
source water susceptibility assessment (SWSA) were
ground-truthed
- best management practices (BMPs) for protecting the PWS’s
water sources were recommended
- Has successfully implemented at least one of these BMPs:
- If a home-rule city, adoption of source water protection
ordinances;
- Adoption or existence of contingency plan;
- Dedicated source water protection staff or staff dedicated to a
watershed (or groundwater) protection plan;
- Implementation of source water protection outreach and
education;
- Adoption of or participation in any source water protection
BMPs that may be part of an adopted watershed (or groundwater)
protection plan.
- Has had no major violations or enforcement actions against it
for the recognition calendar year.
Past Winners of the
Substantial Source Water Protection Program Implementation
Award
- City of Houston
- City of Marion
- City of San Marcos
- City of Schertz
- City of Vernon
- Cash Special Utility District
- County Line WSC
- Crystal Clear WSC
- Diamond Pure Water Company
- Granite Creek
- Green Valley SUD
- Gruene River
- Meadow Woods
- Oak Meadows
- San Antonio Water System
- Sierra West
- Texas State University
Congratulations to each of these water systems!
Special Award:
Source Water Protection Partnership
The Edwards Aquifer Authority is responsible for protecting the
recharge area of the Edwards Aquifer in Hays and Comal counties. In
2006, the EAA:
- coordinated meetings between the TCEQ and interested water
systems in those counties
- identified potential sources of contamination to the aquifer in
its recharge zone
- worked with local school districts to incorporate information
about source water protection into the curriculum
- provided local public water systems with lists of best
management practices for protecting the aquifer
As a result, the area receiving the EAA’s outreach
produced 13 of the systems recognized in 2006. For these
activities, the EAA was presented a special Source Water Protection
Partnership Award.
How Can My PWS Become
Eligible for This Award?
Start by completing a source
water assessment (SWA). If you have already completed your SWA,
begin implementing the recommended BMPs. For more information,
review Source
Water Assessment and Protection: What’s the Connection?
or contact
our Public Drinking Water staff and ask to speak to a member of
the Drinking Water Protection Team.
