The Source Water Collaborative Learning Exchange is a platform for discussing current challenges, sharing stories, and transferring knowledge on source water protection (SWP).

This month's featured topic

Click the drop down for other Learning Exchange topics and resources

SWP Through Conservation Funding

The Source Water Collaborative Updates its Source Water Protection Through Conservation Funding Learning Exchange Page

In 2016, marking its 10th anniversary, the Source Water Collaborative (SWC) launched the Learning Exchange. The Learning Exchange aims to strengthen the effectiveness of source water practitioners across the country by providing a platform to share experiences, transfer knowledge, and (...)
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“Water utilities and land owners are eager to collaborate on projects that protect public health and the environment, reduce the cost of water treatment and help agriculture producers succeed.”

- G. Tracy Mehan, III, Executive Director of Government Affairs, American Water Works Association

Featured Resources

Watch the Webinar: Updates from NRCS and the Northeast: Partnering to Protect Drinking Water – June 4, 2020

Featuring presenters from NRCS sharing information about the new bulletin on selecting priority source water protection areas in each state.

Watch the Webinar: Working with NRCS and Agricultural Partners to Protect Drinking Water Sources – June 25, 2019

This webinar included information about NWQI and other NRCS programs.

Watch the Webinar: Conservation Funding & Drinking Water Utilities – Jan 11, 2018

Showcasing efforts to support agricultural producers through the USDA’s RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program).

Example of a successful RCPP Pre-proposal

Review the Middle Cedar Partnership Project's pre-proposal, the first step in the RCPP application process.

Example of a successful RCPP Full proposal

The Middle Cedar Partnership Project was selected to submit a full proposal with more extensive requirements.

Partnering for Success: The Middle Cedar Partnership Project

16 organizations leverage $2 million in RCPP funding to protect the source of drinking water for Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

NWQI Watershed and Source Water Protection Area Selection and Criteria

In this bulletin, the NRCS STCs are directed to propose protection areas based on delineations provided by drinking water partners.

Key Resources

SWC & Member Resources

AWWA: Farm Bill Key in Protecting Drinking Water

Watch American Water Works Association's (AWWA) video describing how partnerships between the water and agricultural communities are vital to source water protection and how Congress can help address the issue.

RCPP Source Water Protection Projects Map

Click on the map image below to explore RCPP projects from across the country that are helping protect and improve source water quality as well as combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. Project descriptions and information were obtained from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program website.

Linking SWP to Emergency Preparedness

SWC Learning Exchange: Linking Source Water Protection to Emergency Preparedness

With spills and contamination events making headlines across the country, drinking water utilities face an array of challenges protecting their source waters from man-made and natural disasters. Is your community or utility prepared for a day without water? Strong partnerships (...)
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“Water systems must be prepared for a wide range of potential problems. Spills making headlines across the country highlight that regional communication and coordination is essential to ensure faster response actions to safeguard public health.”

- Alan Roberson, Executive Director, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

Featured Resources

Watch the Webinar: Linking Source Water Protection and Emergency Preparedness & Response

This webinar will provide recommendations on how to improve planning for emergency preparedness and response.

River Alert Information Network (RAIN)

Early warning monitoring system that notifies decision makers to ensure faster implementation of actions.

Preparing and responding to an emergency

Resources from our diverse member network to help your utility & community prepare & respond to a drinking water event.

A Methodology for Locating and Managing Dynamic Potential Contaminant Data

A methodology from the Water Research Foundation on identifying, visualizing and analyzing potential contamination sources upstream of drinking water intakes.

USGS Health-Based Screening Levels (HBSLs)

Can be used during source water contamination events to determine potential human health concern & help prioritize response efforts.

Featured Story: Pennsylvania’s Early Warning Systems

PA & neighboring states' development of early warning systems among community water systems, and other partners.

Creative Partnerships

The Source Water Collaborative Marks 10 Years by Launching the Learning Exchange

Marking its tenth year, the Source Water Collaborative (SWC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Learning Exchange—an information sharing platform for people and organizations working to protect sources of drinking water. With the Learning Exchange, the SWC aims (...)
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“The national SWC's diverse member connections have helped open doors for our region's collaboratives. We've built so many new partnerships with the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and conservation districts. I encourage everyone to check out the SWC member list for inspiration.”

- Kira Jacobs, EPA Region 1, New England

Featured Resources

Watch the Creative Partnerships Webinar

Featuring Lynn Thorp with Clean Water Action, Steve Via with AWWA. and Jim Capurso, with the U.S. Forest Service.

Top Tips For Partnerships

Download the SWC's top tips and links to helpful resources.

Featured Case Study

Bromide Discharges from Power Plants: A Clean Water Act-Safe Drinking Water Act Integration Story

Featured Case Study

U.S. Forest Service and Geos Institute formed the Oregon-Washington Drinking Water Providers Partnership

Upcoming Events

No event posts

SWC & Member Resources

Sample Tweets

Help promote this month's Learning Exchange by tweeting about our activities and resources.

Click the mail icon to email the Twitter link

Join and hear tips from @AWWAACE, @cleanh2oaction and @ForestServiceNW on forming partnerships. http://www.asdwa.org/swcwebinarseries2016

The @SourceWaterCol has tools to help u build creative #SourceWaterProtection partnerships. http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/learningexchange

The @SourceWaterCol celebrates 10yrs by launching new online resources! Check it out! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/learningexchange

@SourceWaterCol Launches Learning Exchange! Bolster your #SourceWaterProtection efforts! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/learningexchange

Photos: SWP in Action

SWC member, Trust for Public Land, helped forge the Green Schoolyard Initiative in Philadelphia, PA. This city-wide partnership is working to transform asphalt schoolyards and underutilized recreation centers into playgrounds and parks that limit harmful runoff to drinking water sources and provide green, vibrant places the whole city can enjoy.

Photo Credit:

Jenna Stamm

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto1/

Learn more about the Trust for Public Land’s creative approach and unique collaboration with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Water Department, and the School District of Philadelphia.

Jenna Stamm

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto2/

In Connecticut, creative partnerships include working with surface water suppliers who manage thousands of forested acres and forestry professionals.

EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto3/

These Connecticut partners face unique challenges associated with timber harvests, invasive species, and wildlife management.

EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto4/

EPA staff Kira Jacobs and Trish Garrigan meet with Andy Hubbard, forester for the Hartford, CT water supply, the Metropolitan District Commission. It was a pre-site tour for a field trip that was held as part of the Healthy Forests = Healthy Waters conference in Hartford, CT, hosted by the American Water Resources Association.

EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto5/

For more information about source water protection efforts in Connecticut, visit the CT Source Water Collaborative website. Learn more about source water protection and forestry here.

EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto6/

Working with land trusts and land conservation organizations is a creative way to do outreach and education on source water protection. Here, paddlers gather to discuss source water protection prior to the annual Memorial Day Paddle, hosted by the Moose Mountains Regional Greenways, a land conservation organization in New Hampshire.

Moose Mountain Regional Greenways

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto7/

Land trusts provide education as well as recreation opportunities that build support for their mission.

Moose Mountain Regional Greenways

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto8/

As local residents paddled on a tributary to the Salmon Falls River in Milton, New Hampshire, they witnessed firsthand the importance of conserving land that protects their drinking water supply. For more information, visit the Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative.

Moose Mountain Regional Greenways

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto9/

Land trust members and local residents take a midday break to learn about their local environment and socialize in a relaxed setting.

Moose Mountain Regional Greenways

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto10/

Creative partnerships are best established by working in person and learning from each other firsthand. This photo of a detention pond-- adjacent to Interstate 95 and upstream of a water supply-- was taken as part of an EPA-funded source water protection workshop in Maine with the Department of Transportation team and water suppliers. The group visited sites in the watershed focused on unique challenges facing water supplies.

Kira Jacobs, EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto11/

A tanker spill from the Interstate could contribute contamination to the nearby water supply, so Maine DOT, Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP), and the water utility worked together to build a protective detention pond. From left: Andy Tolman Maine DWP; John Peckenham, University of Maine; Kira Jacobs, EPA Source Water Program; Bill Snyder, KKW Water District; and a representative of Maine DOT. For more information,visit Maine DEH.

Ted Lavery, EPA Region 1

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/augphoto12/

Forming & Sustaining Collaboratives

SWC Learning Exchange: Forming and Sustaining Source Water Protection Collaboratives

This month the Source Water Collaborative Learning Exchange will showcase the work of local, state, and regional source water protection partnerships. These source water collaboratives constitute a diverse set of entities with differing geographic scopes, water and pollution concerns, collaborative (...)
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“When the opportunity to form a partnership presented itself, there was no question that it would be the most effective way for our organizations to support watershed restoration projects that provided clean, affordable drinking water to communities and protected native fish populations.”

- Jim Capurso, US Forest Service, Member Drinking Water Protection Partnership

Featured Resources

Watch the Forming & Sustaining Collaboratives Webinar

Hear experiences from well-established and newly forming collaboratives.

Share These Tips for Forming a New Collaborative

Links to resources that will help your partnership get started

Share These Tips for Sustaining Your Collaborative

Links to resources that will help motivate and engage your partners

Featured Story: Eastern Lancaster County SWP Collaborative

This former SWC pilot and active collaborative highlights agricultural & residential workgroup successes

Featured Story: SWP Initiative for Newport Water Supply Reservoirs

Learn how this RI partnership formed to protect its 9 source water reservoirs

Featured Story: Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water

Learn about this new collaboration’s goals and current partners

Updates from Local & Regional Collaboratives

Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership

DC • MD • PA • VA • WV

Clackamas Water Providers

Oregon

Delaware River Basin Source Water Collaborative

DE • NJ • NY • PA

Idaho-Washington Aquifer Collaborative

ID • WA

Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area Committee

Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative

ME • NH

Schuylkill Action Network

Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)

Ohio River Basin

The Hamilton-New Baltimore Consortium

The Lower Susquehanna Source Water Protection Partnership

Upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Lower Pit Rivers Regional Water Management Group

Source Water Protection in Pennsylvania

Sample Tweets

Help promote this month's Learning Exchange by tweeting about our activities and resources.

Click the mail icon to email the Twitter link

Partnerships increase the chances for success over going it alone! Get a #SourceWaterProtection partnership going! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"- Help for #SourceWaterProtection! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

Big impacts are made when partners w/a shared interest unite w/a desire & ability to act. http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

As @SourceWaterCol members we know the value of collaboration. Gr8 info to get yours started http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

Join the @SourceWaterCol & get some partnership tips & inspiration! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

As @SourceWaterCol members we know the value of collaboration. Tips to get yours started. http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

Photos: SWP in Action

Schuylkill Action Network (SAN)

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The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) is a collaborative network of over 100 partners working to improve the water resources of the Schuylkill River. SAN seeks to achieve its mission through enhanced communication and collaboration. Over 150 organizations (over 500 people) are involved in its workgroups. Public outreach is not only key to their mission, it helps foster new connections and new partnerships.

Photo Credit:

Schuylkill Action Network (SAN)

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https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto2/

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area, a key SAN partner, hosts the Schuylkill River Sojourn, an annual 112-mile guided kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in rural Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia's Boathouse Row.

Schuylkill River Sojourn

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Brad Maule

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto3/

The first place design for the 2016 Schuylkill Street Art Contest. The yearly contest is open to students, grades 6-12. Drain art helps educate people about the connection between storm drains and streams.

Schuylkill Street Art Contest

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Photo Design: Kristin Olinger, Phil-Mont Christian Academy

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto4/

Winning design of the 2014 Schuylkill Students Street Art Contest. Bence Veres had his design installed at City Park in Reading, PA.

Schuylkill Storm Drain Art

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SAN

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto5/

Students from the Envirothon and Environmental Awareness Club worked with the Green Valleys Watershed Association to install a 860 sq ft bioswale on campus. The students received the SAN Scholastic Drinking Water Award, given annually to three schools in the Schuylkill Watershed that help protect sources of drinking water.

Drinking Water Awards

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SAN

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto6/

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the reoccurring Schuylkill River photo contest. During the Industrial revolution the river was heavily polluted. Now the Schuylkill provides drinking water for over 1.5 million people.

Schuylkill Shot of the Month Contest

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SAN

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto7/

A week-long service-learning program offered to a team of high school students from the Schuylkill River Watershed. The Schuylkill Headwaters Association leads students on guided tours, programming, and applied service work designed to highlight issues in the watershed and explore hands-on solutions to these problems.

Schuylkill Acts & Impacts

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SAN

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto8/

Students assist with the removal of Rusty Crayfish, an invasive species in the Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Schuylkill Acts & Impacts

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SAN

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto9/

Formed in 2010, the Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative brought together over 82 partners to tackle the issues plaguing the watershed that led to it being identified as one of the most threatened watersheds in the U.S. This video features many of the partners that have been key to the forming and continued success. Visit this website for more information about this collaborative.

Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative

SFWC

https://sourcewatercollaborative.org/gallery/septphoto9-2/

Funding for Source Water Protection

SWC Learning Exchange: Funding Source Water Protection

Securing clean drinking water is increasingly difficult in the United States. Aging infrastructure, increasing demand, extreme weather fueled by climate change, and rapidly developing landscapes are taxing capacities, driving up cost of water treatment, and posing challenges to the long-term (...)
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“Securing a sustainable source of funding was key to our success. Together, eight cities and water districts that provide drinking water to over 300,000 Oregonians could maximize impact and save money by capitalizing on economies of scale, and could do so in a manner that was fair to all.”

- Kim Swan, Water Resources Manager, Clackamas River Water Providers

Featured Resources

Watch the Funding for Source Water Protection Webinar

Hear about new eligibilities for accessing the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for source water protection, and tips for leveraging ...

Watch the Accelerating Investment in Watershed Protection Webinar

Featured panelists: U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities; World Resources Institute; and Beaver Water District

Key Funding Resources Every Source Water Stakeholder Should Know

Download a resource document with quick links and descriptions of various government and private grants.

Featured Story: Nebraska Pioneers DW Management Plans to Access CWA Funds for Source Water Protection

Featured Story: Oregon Coalition Pools $ to Finance Source Water

Learn how Clackamas River Water Providers combines membership dues and grants to fund projects and research.

Featured Story: Leveraging Federal Funding to Restore New Hampshire Drinking Water

Restoring Pennichuck Water Works’ Source Watershed

Sample Tweets

Help promote this month's Learning Exchange by tweeting about our activities and resources.

Click the mail icon to email the Twitter link

Panel of #SourceWaterProtection experts provide insights & answer questions on watershed investment programs. http://asdwa.org/swcwebinarseries2016

It's no secret finding funding & support for #SourceWaterProtection can be tricky. Got questions? Ask the experts http://asdwa.org/swcwebinarseries2016

Tips on watershed investment programs from experts @WorldResources, @bwdh2o & the Endowm't 4 Forestry & Communities http://asdwa.org/swcwebinarseries2016

Bring your #SourceWaterProtection funding ??s to @WorldResources, @bwdh2o & the Endowm't for Forestry & Communities. http://asdwa.org/swcwebinarseries2016

Collaboratives have more funding options than they think. @SourceWaterCol Learning Exchange has resources to help! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

It’s no secret, funding is key to a collaborative’s success, but often a mystery. @SourceWaterCol can help u find $! http://sourcewatercollaborative.org/connect-with-others/learningexchange/

Nutrient Reduction Successes

SWC Learning Exchange: Why Everyone Should Care About Nutrient Pollution

Co-Authored by SWC Members: Jim Taft (ASDWA), Lynn Thorp (Clean Water Action) and Karen Wirth (EPA’s Source Water Protection Team) This month, the Source Water Collaborative’s Learning Exchange will feature efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in sources of drinking water. (...)
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“EPA’s Office of Water fosters and supports partnerships and collaboration which are critical to making sustained progress on reducing nutrient pollution, a growing and significant threat to water quality and public health.”

- Joel Beauvais, Deputy Assistant Administrator, US EPA Office of Water

Featured Resources

Watch The Webinar: Messaging SWP In Agricultural Communities

Hear success stories on engaging farming communities to reduce nitrates in ground water

SWC’s Agricultural Partner Collaboration Toolkit

Tips for partnering with Conservation Districts and State Conservationists to reduce nutrient pollution

Protect the Source: A Story Map

Communities across the country are working together to eliminate nutrient pollution in their sources of drinking water. Click on the interactive story map below to learn more about the causes and sources of nutrient pollution and to browse projects to reduce nutrients in your area.

To use the Story Map:

Click the image below to open the map in your browser
Scroll down through pages using your mouse roller or the browser arrows
Jump to a story section by clicking a bookmark in the webpage header
You may also navigate maps embedded within the story map pages by clicking on the map and using the built-in browser tools
At the end of the map you will find a “Project Inventory” of examples of what some communities across the country are doing to eliminate nutrient pollution in their sources of drinking water

To use the “Project Inventory” Map:

Click images on the sidebar at left or on map pins to view project summaries

To feature your project on this Map:

Share a brief description on how you are reducing nutrient pollution in source water to info@sourcewatercollaborative.org

Multi Purpose Decision Support Systems for Source Water Protection Strategies

SWP Through Conservation Funding

“Water utilities and land owners are eager to collaborate on projects that protect public health and the environment, reduce the cost of water treatment and help agriculture producers succeed.”

- G. Tracy Mehan, III, Executive Director of Government Affairs, American Water Works Association

Featured Resources

Key Resources

SWC & Member Resources

AWWA: Farm Bill Key in Protecting Drinking Water

RCPP Source Water Protection Projects Map

Linking SWP to Emergency Preparedness

“Water systems must be prepared for a wide range of potential problems. Spills making headlines across the country highlight that regional communication and coordination is essential to ensure faster response actions to safeguard public health.”

- Alan Roberson, Executive Director, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

Featured Resources

Creative Partnerships

- Kira Jacobs, EPA Region 1, New England

Featured Resources

Upcoming Events

SWC & Member Resources

Sample Tweets

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Photos: SWP in Action

Photo Credit:

Forming & Sustaining Collaboratives

“When the opportunity to form a partnership presented itself, there was no question that it would be the most effective way for our organizations to support watershed restoration projects that provided clean, affordable drinking water to communities and protected native fish populations.”

- Jim Capurso, US Forest Service, Member Drinking Water Protection Partnership

Featured Resources

Updates from Local & Regional Collaboratives

Sample Tweets

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Photos: SWP in Action

Schuylkill Action Network (SAN)

Photo Credit:

Funding for Source Water Protection

“Securing a sustainable source of funding was key to our success. Together, eight cities and water districts that provide drinking water to over 300,000 Oregonians could maximize impact and save money by capitalizing on economies of scale, and could do so in a manner that was fair to all.”

- Kim Swan, Water Resources Manager, Clackamas River Water Providers

Featured Resources

Sample Tweets

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Email me the tweet!

Nutrient Reduction Successes

“EPA’s Office of Water fosters and supports partnerships and collaboration which are critical to making sustained progress on reducing nutrient pollution, a growing and significant threat to water quality and public health.”

- Joel Beauvais, Deputy Assistant Administrator, US EPA Office of Water

Featured Resources

Protect the Source: A Story Map

To use the Story Map:

To use the “Project Inventory” Map:

To feature your project on this Map:

Multi Purpose Decision Support Systems for Source Water Protection Strategies

Featured Resources

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