As part of the 1996 ammendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Indiana Wellhead Protection Rule (327 IAC 8-4.1 [PDF]), each well or wellfield providing groundwater to a Community Public Water System in Indiana is required to implement a Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP).
WHPP are just one component of overarching Source Water Protection Plans (SWPP). Source water refers to the different types sources of waters that provide water to public or private drinking water supplies. Rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater can all be source waters.
In Indiana, Wellhead Protection Programs are the main efforts that protect drinking water from groundwater sources. The WHPP included a phased approach with ongoing requirements for each water supplier such as:
- Establishment of Local Planning Team
- Delineation of the Wellhead Protection Area (also known as a Drinking Water Protection Area or wellfield)
- Inventory of Potential Contaminant Sources in the Wellhead Protection Areas
- Management Plan for Potential Contaminant Sources
- Contingency Plan
- Local Responder Training
The Marion County Wellfield Education Corporation provides support for the public water utitlies in Marion County to fullfill some of the requirements of their Wellhead Protection Plans including inventories of potential contaminant sources and public education about pollution prevention in the wellhead protection areas.
The public can view IDEM’s list of public water suppliers to see upcoming due dates for their Wellhead Protection Plans throughout the state.
For more information about Indiana’s Wellhead Protection Program, contact the Groundwater Section of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) which oversees the Wellhead Protection Program at (317) 234-7477, GWSection@idem.IN.gov.
In addition to protecting drinking water from ground water sources, more components exist in umbrella Indiana’s Source Water Protection Program. Watershed and Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Planning works to prevent non-point source pollution to the surface waters. A newer Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Sampling Program begin in 2021 to evaluate the occurrence of PFAS compounds in public water systems across the state and determine the efficacy of conventional drinking water treatment for PFAS.
Both businesses and individuals can support water suppliers in their important work by conserving water and disposing of household hazardous waste properly. Whether your drinking water comes from surface sources or the ground – it’s all connected – let’s work together to protect it!
