THE FIRST BARRIER: THE PROTECTION OF DRINKING WATER AT ITS SOURCE

摘要

It has long been well understood that the first step in ensuring a safe water supply is to select the best source of water available. The second step is to protect that source from contamination. A finished product depends upon the quality of the raw material from which it is produced. Therefore, it would appear prudent to protect securely sources of drinking water, whether from ground or surface water. Of all the uses of water resources, those used for drinking water are generally held to the highest standards of quality. Hence, a water resource meeting those standards would in general also readily satisfy standards for other uses. EPA has pointed out that: 'Virtually every stream, lake, river and aquifer in this country is used as a drinking water source.' Thus we all live in a watershed that is a source water area. It follows that securing the protection of drinking water supplies would also advance wider environmental objectives. However, water suppliers have not been aggressive in promoting the protection of their source waters. Until 1986, this inattention was also reflected in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Accordingly, the SDWA is not conventionally regarded as an environmental act. Its primary purpose is the protection of the consumer and not the environment. That protection of the consumer of drinking water in the United States has relied upon the technology of water treatment. The subordinate role of the SDWA with respect to the environment is reflected in its inconsequential appearance in environmental law textbooks. Increasingly, however, there is less confidence in relying primarily on water treatment. The continued incidence of waterborne outbreaks have undermined complacent assurance that our drinking water is safe. Hence, 'Today, water supplies are revisiting the idea that watershed protection - the first barrier against contamination - needs to, once again, be an integral part of their water quality protection strategy.'