Upcoming workshops
Small Systems Outreach Project
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Drinking Water Protection team is planning a Small System Workshop for public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 customers and located in Wasco, Hood River, Multnomah, and Clackamas counties. More information about this workshop will be available in spring 2025.
Coastal Workshops for Drinking Water Protection
Since the fall of 2022, DEQ and local partners have hosted a series of partial-day workshops on source water protection for coastal communities. These workshops aim to educate the community on source water protection, identify resources for land conservation and acquisition, and highlight potential funding sources to keep drinking water clean, reliable, and safe, while also bringing economic benefits to the community. They offer an opportunity to connect with fellow drinking water providers, conservation practitioners, land managers, funding partners, and local, state, and federal government officials to share successes and challenges, access resources, and discuss source water protection strategies. Some presentations from these workshops have been recorded and can be viewed on the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County's video playlist. The next series of workshops will be held in fall 2025.
Land conservation
Land conservation is the practice of purchasing land to steward, preserve, and protect its ecological health, biodiversity, and safeguard natural resources for current and future generations. Land conservation plays a crucial role in source water protection by maintaining or improving the quality and quantity of drinking water sources including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and aquifers.
Forestry
Forestry and drinking water are closely connected as forests play a crucial role in maintaining water quality and quantity of freshwater sources. Forests buffer potential risks to water quality and quantity by regulating the flow of water, providing natural filtration, moderating water temperatures through shaded protection, increasing slope stability through their root structures, and supporting aquifer replenishment for groundwater systems.
Wildfire
Wildfires can significantly impact public water systems in both the short and long term, especially in areas where water sources such as rivers, lakes, wells, and springs are closely linked to surrounding landscapes. When wildfires occur, the physical and chemical changes to watersheds, streams, and groundwater systems can directly affect water quality, availability, and safety.
Cyanobacteria blooms
Cyanobacteria are aquatic bacteria common in freshwater, estuarine, and marine waters that can use direct sunlight to produce food (photosynthesis). These organisms are among the oldest life forms on Earth and are largely responsible for creating our oxygen-rich atmosphere. Cyanobacteria blooms occur when certain types of cyanobacteria grow excessively due to favorable conditions, including warm temperatures, stagnant water, or overly abundant nutrients. When blooms occur, cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins. At certain levels, these toxins can pose significant risks to humans, pets, and livestock. Cyanobacteria blooms can also affect water quality by increasing pH and lowering dissolved oxygen levels, negatively impacting fish and aquatic life.
Emergency response
Public water systems need to be prepared to take coordinated action in the event of a crisis that can impact drinking water sources. Such emergencies include earthquakes, extreme weather events, wildfires, cyanobacteria blooms, and environmental contamination. Public water systems can prepare for an emergency by performing a risk and resiliency assessment and developing an emergency response plan.
Community partnerships
When a public water system embarks on a source water protection project, forming community partnerships is a crucial strategy to ensure the project's success. Collaboration with local organizations such as watershed councils, land trusts, soil and water conservation districts, and other local governments helps leverage diverse expertise, resources, and public support, all of which are vital to the long-term effectiveness of source water protection efforts.
Funding
Access to funding resources is essential for public water systems to successfully implement source water protection projects. There are numerous funding sources available to public water systems from federal, state, and nonprofit organizations. Funding is available for planning source water protection projects, land acquisition and purchase, and stewardship in drinking water source areas. For more information, check out our Funding for Public Water Systems page.
Data management
Public water systems can utilize data management tools like Geographic Information Systems, also known as GIS, to analyze and manage spatial data to make informed decisions about source water protection. There are several types of data that a public water system can access using their source water assessment including drinking water source areas, land ownership and use, slope stability, potential contamination sources, and more.