Source Water Area Protection (SWAP)
Ohio EPA has recently completed a study of Adams County Regional Water’s source of drinking water to identify potential
contaminant sources and provide guidance on protecting the drinking water source. According to this study, the aquifer (water
rich zone) that supplies water to Adams County Regional Water has a high susceptibility to contamination. This determination
is based on the following:
·
Lack of a protective layer of clay overlying the aquifer.
·
Shallow depth of the aquifer.
·
Presence of significant potential contaminant sources in the area
This susceptibility
means that under current existing conditions, the likelihood of the aquifer becoming contaminated is relatively high. This
likelihood can be minimized by implementing appropriate protective measures.
Some measures
that can be utilized are as follows:
·
Check your septic system and make sure it is always working properly.
·
Dispose of all oil and petroleum products the proper way.
·
Keep all junk piles cleaned up as runoff from these can contaminate the
source water.
·
Maintain vehicles so leaks will not contaminate the source water.
·
Report to the Water District anything that looks questionable.
ACRWD has been
able to acquire the property adjacent to the plant and well field as Mr. Malcolm Cox is retiring. This property contains approximately 130 acres and will help to keep contamination
from future septic systems and other contaminants away from the well field. It is our
job to assure that clean drinking water will be available for many generations to come. We feel that this acquisition will help this assurance be a reality as well as give
us plenty of room for growth when that need arises.
For more information
about SWAP contact Rick Adamson at 937-544-2396 or e-mail: rickadamson@acrwd.com
