Collaboration for source water protection in the United States: Community water systems engagement in nitrate pollution reduction

Abstract

Contaminated source water for cities contributes to negative human health impacts and rising water treatment costs. Nutrient pollution is the primary source of surface water quality impairment in the United States and agriculture is the largest source of nutrient pollution (specifically nitrogen or nitrate) entering waterways. Solutions to source water contamination have historically centered on nutrient removal at the drinking water plant, which often requires additional investment. Pollution prevention through watershed management may be more cost-effective in some contexts and has greater co-benefits, and some drinking water managers and agricultural stakeholders have collaborated to create successful prevention programs. However, drinking water managers must balance several service requirements and regulatory standards, and may lack the resources or capacity needed to effectively engage in or initiate regional collaborations. This paper serves as an introduction to nutrient contamination of source waters and protection measures in the United States and provides a discussion of watershed-scale collaboration, particularly the engagement of municipal drinking water managers. This article is categorized under: Human Water > Water Governance Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Science of Water > Water Quality.