Source Water Protection Planning:
3 R's: (REASON, RESOURCE, REVENUE)
by Al Tekavec
CRWA State SWAP Specialist Source Water Protection, (SWAP):
It costs a lot to provide safe drinking water. It takes time and planning to: involve stakeholders in your community protection efforts, identify and understand your community's sources of drinking water, inventory potential sources of contamination to your drinking water sources, access the risks of contamination, implement protection and management strategies, and plan for sustainability and review of this proactive effort. But what is the cost of replacing, and treating an unprotected water supply? Can you continue to take SWAP for granted?
The SWAP project in Colorado is transitioning from the assessment phase to the protection planning phase. The work will include assistance given to the citizens of Colorado as they work to develop Source Water Protection Plans within their communities. What assistance is being provided?
Website: (Source Water Assessment and Protection Homepage) http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/swlswaphom.html. This is the official webpage maintained by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and it provides a wealth of information about Source Water Protection. Want to know the Assessed Risk to your communities drinking water? Look at the Assessment Report link which provides more detailed information.
Citizen Advisory Group:
The Water Quality Control Division of the CDPHE is currently soliciting public feedback on the protection phase
project plan from a diverse citizen advisory group (CAG). The CAG will hold monthly meetings at the Division
on the second Wednesday of each month for the next 6-7 months to complete their review of the protection project
plan. If you are interested in attending the meetings, please contact the SWAP Program Coordinator at (303) 692-
3592.
Resources available to Help Water Systems Complete their SWAP:
The CDPHE is releasing a DVD explaining the planning, and also the concepts and goals which can be used to
help manage and protect the quality of source water. This short, 20-minute presentation can be used to help groups
understand and begin development of their SWAP efforts.
A CD is also available for use by citizen groups. The cd includes models, templates, and other resources useful for this important grassroots effort. A digitized copy of the delineation map and assessment of risk to your drinking water sources is available to your Public Water System, through links given on the CD.
The CD is designed to help with a proactive strategy, allowing your community to take appropriate steps to protect and manage your sources of drinking water. It will get you familiar with the SWAP Program; guide you through the protection planning process; and provide resources for completing an effective protection plan. This menu driven CD can help your planning team as they develop a SWAP for your water system.
Some Water Assessmeat md Protection Pilat Project Grants
For public water systems or stakeholders representing a public water system, the division has two grant applications. One applicatian is for development grants, and one for implementation grants. These grants will be awarded to those comittd to developing a source water protection plan. It is recommended applicants print out the grant instructions before attempting to cmp1ete the application on line.
Funding:
Grant proposals will be submitted electronically and reviewed by the Division. Projects recommended for funding
will receive an award notification and a purchase order for the protection planning effort. All grant funds are
distributed on a cost-reimbursement basis and invoicing will occur on a monthly or quarterly basis. Proposals are
accepted throughout the year. Grant awards are subject to the availability of SDWRF set-aside funds.
For more details on grant requirements, guidance and access to the electronic grant proposal forms, access the link titled "Protection Planning Grant Guidance".
Detailed grant information:
1) Program Goal: The Colorado Source Water Assessment and Protection Project is charged with increasing protection
planning interest, involvement, and source water knowledge to the public, educators and entities involved in
protecting the raw water quality of dnnking water sources.
2) Grant Objective: The Colorado Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) Pilot Planning Project grant awards funds to source water protection entities to develop exemplary and comprehensive source water protection plans. The completion of a limited number, but broad spectrum, of protection plan pilot projects will provide planning results to other protection planning entities. The pilot projects should assist and promote source water protection planning efforts across Colorado.
3) The Grants: The grants in this program are awarded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division on a cost-reimbursement basis. The grants will be issued for source water protection pilot project planning efforts. The awards can range up to $50,000. Grant awards will require a one to one financial match (cash or in-kind services). Grant awards are subject to availability of funds.
4) Eligibility: Interested community public water systems or stakeholders representing a community public water system may apply to participate in the pilot planning grant project program. Applicants can apply by completing the electronic pilot project grant application by clicking on the link "Source Water Pilot Planning Grant Application".
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Water Quality Control Division
(WQCD), and Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA) are working closely to promote the Source Water Protection
Planning (SWPP) effort. Several public water systems throughout the state are already conducting protection
planning activities with technical assistance from the Division and the Colorado Rural Water Association.
Why are you waiting? The Reasons, the Resources, the Revenues are ALL available.
So get-r-started, get-r-done ! ! ! ! ! !