All items presented in the linked table are provided as recommendations for the protection of drinking water supplies. Some level of basic protection is already afforded under existing statutes and regulations. However, for a resource as valued by the general population as drinking water, extra efforts may be desirable. This can occur through increased or targeted surveillance and enforcement, utilization of existing government programs and resources, private initiatives, or some combination of these.  The local water system may play a lead role, or another local entity may provide leadership. The most important point is that people at the local level need to direct what happens to their drinking water supply. Because many protection options are very site-specific and this document could not contain every possible option, phone numbers or web sites are provided for more detailed information. Where applicable, specific references to regulations or statutes are provided. 

Protection recommendations - For resources other than these listed below on watershed protection see the Kentucky Watershed Management webpage.

• Homeowner/individual  - There are many, simple things individuals can do in  day-to-day life to help protect their watersheds. Click here for some ideas. 
• Developer - One of the fastest growing fields in construction design is that a Low Impact Development.  The low-impact development (LID) approach combines a hydrologically functional site design with pollution prevention measures to compensate for land development impacts on hydrology and water quality.  This approach to development can not only help water quality, but if the approach is comprehensively integrated in the design phase of a project, it can also save the developer money.  See the EPA web site on low impact development or the Center for Watershed Protection's web site on urban site design.
• Local Government / Communities - Communities are having to deal with more and make do with less. However, because communities have so many demands on them, it is important to look for opportunities to leverage resources. For example, many communities are coming under the requirements of the new Phase II Stormwater permitting requirements and some of the practices of stormwater management can help  protection drinking water supplies. If your community lies in the watershed or well-head of your or another community's water supply area, stormwater management may help by minimizing the contaminants getting into the supply. Likewise, for communities concerned about water supplies during droughts, stormwater management and urban site design practices can help groundwater recharge.
• Ultimate protection: Of course the ultimate protection of your drinking water supply is to secure total control of the supply area. This may be done through various methods of acquisition of water supply protection areas. The utility or local government may purchase the land, out-right, or secure a conservation easement. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the following:
  • Why should public water utilities use conservation easements? - A conservation easement is a restriction put on a property deed that limits what activities can be done on the land. These can be tailored to any specific situation -- they can be very restrictive of all activities, or only limit certain types of activities. Other than their utility in limiting land use activities that pose a threat to the water supply, they are cheaper to acquire than buying the land. With an easement, the water system does not own the land.
  • Why should private land owners care about conservation easements? - For the land owner, a conservation easement would limit certain activities that might pose a threat to the drinking water supply. Since the land owner still owns the land with a conservation easement, they can still use it for other activities, yet get compensated for the easement. That is, the water system might be willing to pay for an easement that limits a particular type of activity; conversely, some land owners may prefer to avoid the income tax associated with selling the easement and instead consider donating the easement, thus gaining a tax deduction. It is up to the land owner and the water system to negotiate the deal that works best for all parties.
  • What are issues related to sale or donation of conservation easements? - This link provides more information for land owners and water utilities when considering a conservation easement for the protection of water supplies.

If you are interested in pursuing a conservation easement, a model, “fill-in-the-blank” version of an easement for Kentucky has been prepared by the Division of Water for use by any water system.

• Model conservation easement -- easement by donation.   (This is a PDF document.   You will need Acrobat Reader to view it.  Download Acrobat free.)
• Model conservation easement -- easement by sale.  (This is a PDF document.   You will need Acrobat Reader to view it.  Download Acrobat free.)