The Source Water Protection Program, a joint project by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the nonprofit National Rural Water Association (NRWA), is designed to help prevent source water pollution in 33 states through voluntary practices implemented by producers at the local level.

The program is authorized by Sec. 12400 of the 1985 Farm Bill, as amended. Source water is surface and ground water that is consumed by rural residents. According to the NRWA, ground water is the primary source of drinking water for some 44,000 communities in the United States.

NRWA has implemented the Source Water Protection Program, with oversight and assistance provided by FSA. Through the program, NRWA hires, for every participating state, full-time rural source water technicians who possess knowledge and experience in rural issues. The technicians work with FSA state executive directors, FSA county executive directors and state conservation specialists with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to create operating plans that identify priority areas where local pollution prevention efforts are needed most in their respective states. Working with state rural water associations, technicians facilitate the creation of local teams comprised of citizens with diverse backgrounds and federal, state, local and private entities. These teams collaborate in the development of Rural Source Water Protection plans that promote clean ground water. The technicians assist the teams in gathering local data and facilitate a planning workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to create a plan that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Rural Source Water Protection plans outline voluntary measures that producers can install on their lands to prevent source water pollution. Voluntary measures may range from producers storing herbicides, pesticides or other substances in more secure containers to relocating waste lagoons. By working at the grassroots level, local team members inform and educate producers about source water protection measures that benefit their neighbors and communities. Additionally, the plans establish steering committees to evaluate voluntary practices implemented by local producers. FSA monitors the overall performance of the program.

The program has been implemented in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The 33 states participating in the Source Water Protection Program were chosen based on objective technical criteria relating to water quality and population.

Producers in the aforementioned states are encouraged to participate in the Source Water Protection Program. They can take part in the program by administering voluntary practices on their land and/or by becoming team members responsible for the development of Rural Source Water Protection plans. Citizens from federal, state, local and private entities also can serve on local teams.

NRWA was established in 1976 as a nonprofit, utility membership, trade association to represent rural and small community water and wastewater systems. Today, NRWA is the largest utility member-based organization in the country serving all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico with more than 28,315 members.

For more information about FSA programs, visit: www.fsa.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.