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High-quality, safe drinking water starts at the source. During Source Water Protection Week (Sept. 27-Oct. 3), American Water educates employees, customers and the community about the steps we can all take to protect source water.

Protecting Our Most Precious Resource

Source water is water that is used as a supply for public drinking water and private wells. It can take the form of surface water, which flows on top of the land surface within a watershed, or groundwater, which is stored in underground aquifers in the pore spaces of soil and rock. Protecting our source water involves identifying potential risks that could affect the water supply. Potential risks include contamination from materials that may be naturally occurring or are used, stored and transported throughout the watershed. 

Be a Source Water Champion

Everyone plays a role in protecting and improving drinking water sources. Individuals are encouraged to follow these year-round practices:

• Plant landscaping around homes or businesses with more permeable surfaces, such as mulch, that allow water to soak into the ground. Try to limit concrete and asphalt, which contribute to runoff. 

• Use native plants that require minimal fertilizer, herbicides and watering.  

• Keep litter, pet waste and yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Pet waste contains bacteria that can find its way into waterways through runoff. 

• Select non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to typical household products, such as cleaning agents. 

• Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available. Don’t flush them down the toilet! 

• Use hazardous waste collection sites and services to dispose of items such as chemicals, paints, motor oil and batteries.  

• Report any hazardous material spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities. 

Protecting our source water is a community effort that requires us to work together to ensure our water remains safe for generations to come. Consider participating in local clean ups to protect waterways from soil erosion and pollution. Click here for more information on source water protection.