Living In A Drinking Source Water Area
Developing Source Water Protection Plans
“Keeping Drinking Water Safe: Source Water Protection Becoming a Top Priority for Townships”. An article from PA TownshipNews, 2008. View Now >>
Description of GIS-Based Methodology Used to Conduct Source Water Assessment for Small Community Water Systems in Pennsylvania. PA DEP / Penn State report, 2003. View Now >>
Pennsylvania Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Technical Guidance document. PA DEP, 2000. View Now >>
Check the Status of Your Source Water Protection Program. PA DEP Status Report for SE Region, Updated Weekly. View Now >>
Find the Source Water Assessment for your community water system. PA DEP eLibrary. View Now >>
Pennsylvania Guide to Developing a Source Water Protection Plan. PA DEP Web site with background information and videos. Requires Player. View Now >>
“Your Water, Your Decision.” A customizable template for designing a community brochure. From the Source Water Collaborative. View Now >>
Benefits of Source Water Protection
About Surface Water & Groundwater
Pennsylvania State Water Plan. Useful for learning more about the water resources in your region. PA DEP. View Now >>
A Quick Guide to Groundwater in Pennsylvania. From Penn State Cooperative Extension. View Now >>
Private Wells
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Private Well webpage
Penn State Extension Resources & Webinar – may be viewed anytime free of charge:
- Safe Drinking Water Clinic – Peter Wulfhorst, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Pike County. How to construct and maintain your private water well, spring or cistern to ensure safe drinking water quality including water testing strategies and water treatment methods.
- Private Well Fact Sheets & Resources. From Penn State Cooperative Extension. View Now >>
Private Well Homeowner Training - Free online training for private well homeowners – Click here>>
The Private Well Class is designed to help a homeowner better understand how to properly care for their water well, to ensure their water remains safe to drink. By understanding the basic science of water wells and following best practices to maintain and protect your water supply, this class will provide the tools you need to ensure a safe water supply and help extend the life of your well.
Master Well Owners Network. Trained volunteers dedicated to promoting the proper construction and maintenance of private water systems in Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Go Now >>
Transportation Corridor Signage
Click to view information on Water Supply Signage to designate source water protection or high priority areas in PA Click Here>>.
Forests and Drinking Water
Common Waters Fund – Focus is Delaware River Basin
Forest to Faucet Research Papers
USDA – Forests, Water and People Analysis
Why Forests Provide the Best Protection for Water Resources by Paul K. Barten
Homeowner stewardship
Useful links from US EPA:
Manage your property to protect drinking water >>
Do your part to protect drinking water >>
Water Health Series: Bottled Water Basics
Lawn care
PA DCNR Resources to selecting native plants
Native Plant Search >>
Planting a Native Garden (Video) >>
Lawn & Garden Care brochures and print add examples compiled by EPA
Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox >>
Water conservation/Recycling
Household Water Conservation primer from Penn State Extension:
Download PDF file >>
100 Ways to Conserve Water: tips and a daily water-saving widget to add to your website:
Use Water Wisely >>
Indoor Water Conservation Tips
Conserve >>
Waterwise Landscaping & Watering Guide
Download PDF file >>
Check your toilet for leaks:
Retro Fit It >>
Municipal Water Conservation info from Penn State Cooperative Extension
Go to the Site >>
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle resources by zip code:
Earth 911
Stormwater
Philadelphia Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Protection:
Download PDF file >>
After the Storm, video developed by EPA with the Weather Channel:
Go to the Site >>.
Rain Gardens: Background information, design templates, and more:
Design Templates from the Low Impact Development Center >>
Rain Garden and Rain Barrel links and resources:
Links from WREN >>
Links research, and resources on stormwater best management practices:
Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership >>
Stormwater, Trees and Our Drinking Water:
Download PDF brochure by the Borough of Media >>
On-line tour and resources for stormwater prevention:
From the Blair County Conservation District >>
Roadside Dumps & Water Quality:
Download PDF factsheet from Penn State Cooperative Extension
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful - The mission of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful – to empower Pennsylvanians to make our communities clean and beautiful – not only addresses prevention and cleanups but aims to stimulate and increase community involvement, which in turn increases the likelihood that cleaned areas will stay clean. Click here for County Illegal Dump Surveys>>
Septic System Installation and Maintenance
Penn State Extension Webinars- may be viewed free of charge at any time:
- Saving Money and Your Septic System Through Water Conservation - Webinar presented February 24, 2010
- Managing Your On-Lot Septic System - Information on how to site, construct and maintain an on-lot septic system.
Septic System Operation and Maintenance:
Go to PA DEP Resource Website >>
Go to US EPA Septic System Care Outreach materials >>
Siting, constructing and maintaining an on-lot septic system:
Resources from Penn State Cooperative Extension >>
Abandoned Wells
Well Abandonment Procedures from Chapter 7 PA DEP Groundwater Monitoring Guidance Manual:
Go to Site >>
Educational Materials
PA Sea Grant provides the content and teacher lesson plans for the Erie Times-News Tuesday “Reconnect with your environment” NIE page. Past pages and lesson plans are available on a range of topics, ranging from pharmaceuticals, plastic bags, harmful algal blooms and more – click here>>
Interactive Education Models
The following models are very effective, hands-on tools to demonstrate water pollution and conservation.
EnviroScape: portable interactive environmental education models intended for use in school and community education on issues that affect the environment. NOTE: Models may be available for loan from your County Conservation District or from the Water Resources Education Network (WREN)
Go to Enviroscapes site >>
Ground Water Model
From University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point >>
Volunteer Groups
Schuylkill Action Network