Agriculture and Your Drinking Water
This program is funded by the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Source Water Protection Program
Examples of Agriculture Practices That Reduce Pollution
No-Till Planting & Contour Strips
No-Till Planting and Contour Strips reduce loss of sediment through stormwater runoff.
Conservation & Nutrient Plans
Conservation and Nutrient Plans help farmers with sustainable operations while complying with Pennsylvania Chapter 102 and Act 38 regulations.
Buffer Plantings
Buffer Plantings along streams and creeks help filter pollutants in stormwater runoff from getting into the water.
Streambank Fencing
Streambank Fencing prevents animals from depositing manure into streams. The fence also avoids destruction of the streambanks that add sediment to the water.
Grazing Management
Grazing Management helps maintain plant life on pasture lands, reducing soil loss during rain events or snow melts.
Creek Crossings
Creek Crossings minimize animal access to streams, and reduces manure and sediment contamination.
How Does Drinking Water Become Polluted?
Your drinking water may become polluted when substances that are harmful to human health enter the groundwater or surface source, like a lake or reservoir. Sometimes pollutants like manure and sediment from stormwater runoff find their way into streams and creeks. Once water is contaminated, it must be treated or abandoned as a drinking water source. The expense of treating polluted water or finding a new source of drinking water can be avoided through source water protection.
For more information:
What is Watershed?
A watershed is all the land that drains to the same river or lake. Water travels from the highest points at the watershed edge to the lowest point at the bottom of the watershed. Wherever you are, you are in a watershed!
When it rains, some water travels over the land surface to the nearest stream or creek. This water is called surface runoff or stormwater. As the stormwater flows, it picks up any contaminants lying on the surface – pesticides and fertilizer from lawns, manure from farms, sediment from construction sites, and oil and gas from roads. Small streams join to form larger and larger rivers, until the water – and any contaminants it is carrying – reaches the final lake or river.
Some precipitation, instead of traveling over the land, will percolate into the soil and reach the groundwater. Similarly, the groundwater may pick up nitrates from failing septic systems, gasoline from leaky storage tanks, and industrial chemicals from improper dumping. The groundwater ultimately flows into one of the rivers or lakes in the watershed.
Protecting Our Drinking Water
Much of the Pennsylvania countryside is in agricultural operations, and plays a huge role in our commonwealth’s production of food. Conversely, agriculture also has a huge impact on the drinking water sources throughout the state. Farmers have a unique challenge in balancing efficient operations with environmental stewardship. This brochure is designed to provide information on various Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can help reduce nutrients found in manure and sediment from row crops.
All agricultural producers are encouraged to seek assistance from their County Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the installation and implementation of these practices.
More Ways to Help
Greenville Water Authority is working nonstop to provide our customers with a clean and reliable source of drinking water, and we could use your help!
Steps to help us protect our water supplies
Dispose of motor oil at a garage that will recycle it. Never pour oil on the ground or in a storm drain or sewer on the street.
Pump out your septic system every two or three years. Look under “Septic Tanks” in the Yellow Pages to find a contractor.
Bring household hazardous waste – such as paint, varnishes, and other chemicals – to a county waste collection site. Call ahead or check the county website for dates.
Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides on your lawn and garden.
If you drill a new well, make sure the old one is properly closed and abandoned.
Do not dump swimming pool water into a creek or storm drain at the end of the season. If possible, direct the water into the sanitary sewer. Otherwise, wait until the chlorine diminishes and then direct pool water onto grass, forest, or other natural area.
Remember: anything you throw or store on the ground can find its way into the water supply. Store and handle chemicals properly.
Call the regional Department of Environmental Protection office at (814) 332-6945 immediately if you observe a chemical spill.
A Message from Greenville Water Authority
Everyone uses local water sources every day, but do you know where your water really comes from?
The staff at GWA work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. They work hard to protect your water resources, which are the heart of your community, your way of life and your children’s future. To maintain a clean, dependable water supply, they need your help!
This web page was developed to make your community aware of the importance of protecting your water supply. Once a water source becomes contaminated, the cleanup often takes many years and can be very expensive. It is in our community’s best interest to take the proper precautions to prevent contaminants from entering our water supply.
Who is responsible for protecting your drinking water? EVERYONE!
If you have any questions about source water protection in your area, please contact the GWA office at (724) 588-4340 for more information.
