AWWA JAW62057

Watershed management has been called the "key to the future" by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Watersheds are widely recognized as one of the most effective tools for source water protection. Accordingly, the most recent amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act mandate states to assess public water supply susceptibility to contamination. This article presents the process and results of Maine's Safe Water Assessment Program. The article examines how Maine's assessment process produced an inventory of threats, and it outlines how the state moved from inventory to action. The information presented in this article can be used as a tool to help small utilities find partners to work with them on source water protection. This guide is intended to help utility managers move from assessment to action by helping them understand the issues, locate assistance and experts, and plan appropriate protective actions. Includes 12 references, figures.