Recent incidents of widespread drinking water service disruption have drawn attention to the importance of protecting drinking water sources from contamination. Source Water Protection is embodied in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as a key approach to ensuring safe drinking water. Source Water Protection includes maintaining the health of streams, wetlands and other water bodies. These water bodies are not just landscape features. They are critical parts of our water infrastructure that influence water quality in drinking water sources. Protecting streams and wetlands protects drinking water sources, eases the burden of pollution and reduces treatment costs for communities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have proposed to revise the Definition of Waters of the United States Under the Clean Water Act (Clean Water Rule). Clarification of this definition is essential in light of confused interpretation of Supreme Court decisions and subsequent Bush Administration policies, which have led to permitting delays and left water resources vulnerable. At issue is whether the Clean Water Act’s pollution control programs should pertain to small streams, wetlands and certain other water bodies.
Clean Water Action’s Putting Drinking Water First approach means making drinking water impacts a primary consideration when developing regulations and other programs involving upstream activities that can impact downstream drinking water sources. When finalized, the EPA/Corps Clean Water Rule will lead to better protection of drinking water sources. EPA/Corps should strengthen the final rule by:
- Protecting all types of wetlands and other water bodies which contribute to improved drinking water quality downstream and
- Including analysis and quantification of drinking water and public health benefits in the Economic Analysis of the Clean Water Rule.
The Definition of Waters of the U.S. Under the Clean Water Act has concrete implications for source water protection and for drinking water quality.