Wellhead Protection Area Planning Management
A community-based approach to the wellhead protection area management planning process in Nebraska
Management Makes Sense
Groundwater is and will continue to be the source of drinking water for many communities. Protection of this vital resource is becoming increasingly important. For example, expanding development may bring with it more potential sources of contamination; growing populations may stress the quantity of water available; and intensive agricultural practices may increase the need for more proactive management strategies.
Whether faced with an existing impairment to the water source or seeking ways to prevent contamination, wellhead protection makes good economic and environmental sense!
Planning for Local, Long-Term Benefit
The Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Process is divided into two phases – Pre-planning Activities and Planning Activities.
- Pre-planning Activities: The pre-planning activities will pave the way for a smooth planning process. This phase will begin by recognizing the need for further management of the resource and end with the first public meeting. During this phase, key local participants and technical advisors will be introduced and assembled, existing information will be gathered, public education efforts will begin, and local issues/concerns will be identified.
- Planning Activities: The planning activities phase will encompass the bulk of the planning process and will end with a complete Wellhead Protection Area Management Plan. This plan will be developed by a committee of local stakeholders with input from the community through public meetings and community education activities. This plan will detail the local issues and concerns and identify specific strategies and actions for protection of the water resource; it will also function as a work plan for grant applications to fund implementation of the identified protection activities. Plan implementation will occur as opportunities to implement specific strategies included in the plan are identified and taken advantage of. Information describing available assistance programs and potential funding sources has also been included in the Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Manual.
The Future of Nebraska is its People and its Groundwater
Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) Management is the next step communities should take after developing a wellhead protection plan that has been formally approved by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. In order for a management program to be successful, it must be locally-driven and thoughtfully planned out. The process also leads the community through identifying management strategies that will have the greatest effect on reducing the threat of contamination to the water source.
The Community-based Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Process is a series of steps that a community may follow to take their drinking water resource protection efforts to the next level. This is a results-oriented process of identifying and implementing specific, customized management strategies. Technical experts will be included throughout the process to provide the information needed by the community to make good management decisions for the wellhead protection area and, as a result, their groundwater supply.
This publication is brought to you by: The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and The Groundwater Foundation.
Download the Free Manual
The Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Manual is a step-by-step guide to completing the Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Process. It has been written specifically for groundwater-dependent community Public Water Supply Systems that have a state-approved Wellhead Protection Plan and are ready to begin implementation of on-the-ground protection activities. Download the Manual Now.
For more information information about developing a state-approved wellhead protection plan or a wellhead protection area management plan, contact the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Planning Unit at (402) 471-2186. The Wellhead Protection Area Management Planning Manual is also available for free download at http://www.ndeq.state.ne.us.
