The importance of Source Water Protection was recognized in colonial Jamestown and is still recognized as important by the State of Virginia today. Preventing drinking water source contamination is vital to protecting the public health and interest. Once the primary drinking water source is contaminated, many communities may not have any other readily available drinking water alternatives. In addition, the costs of contamination cleanup are higher than many communities can afford. In one location, groundwater contamination from a leaky floor drain at a dry cleaner resulted in $1.7 million in clean-up costs for the community’s drinking water supply with an additional $30,000 in annual operating costs for extra treatment required. The costs of developing and implementing a Source Water Protection Plan are minimal compared to the cost of contamination. The Department of Health offers a free program for small community groundwater waterworks where a contractor provides guidance and technical assistance through every step in the source water protection process.
Prolamation for Jamestown, Virginia
"There shall be no man or woman dare to wash any unclean linen, wash clothes, ...nor rinse or make clean an kettle, pot or pan, or any suchlike vessel within twenty feet of the old well or new pump. Nor shall anyone aforesaid within less than a quarter mile of the fort, dare to do the necessities of nature, since these unmanly , slothful, and loathsome immodesties, the whole for may be choked and posioned."
- Governor Gage of Virginia, 1610
There are numerous potential threats to drinking water supplies, many of which can be controlled through active planning and protection. Some of the potential sources of contamination that may be in your watershed or groundwater source area are depicted in the picture below:
