All states are required by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) Amendments to assess the susceptibility of public drinking
water sources. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
provided the results of the assessments to each public water supply
(PWS) by May 2003. These comprehensive Source
Water Suceptibility Assessments (SWSA) represent years of
research, analysis, and investigation by state officials, trade
organizations, federal, state and local agencies, and water service
providers. The assessments contain information specific to each
PWS, its source waters, and areas of concern which may impact
source waters. The information will enhance the ability of a PWS to
protect its source waters and ensure their continued
reliability.
The TCEQ administers the Source Water
Protection (SWP) program, which allows each PWS to take an
active role in maintaining drinking water quality. The SWAP team
provides SWP services at no charge. Because the SWP program is
voluntary, participants have a wide degree of latitude in creating
their programs. Most SWP participants have implemented their
programs by working cooperatively with community members and via
public education.
The SWAP program identifies which water sources are susceptible
to chemical constituents. Additionally, the SWAP program provides
PWSs with the basic tools to prevent contamination from occurring
in the first place. If the SWSA demonstrates that a PWS is not
susceptible to a specific chemical, the TCEQ may issue a monitoring
waiver, thereby saving the PWS money.
A PWS needing help in implementing a SWP program has a number of
choices for assistance. The Drinking Water Protection (DWP) team
assists systems that are implementing SWP programs. PWSs may either
contract to private consultants or implement their own SWP program.
A TCEQ SWP guidance document is also available.
Funding for the purpose of implementing a SWP program is
available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
These funds may be used to implement SWP best management practices
including land acquisition. Funds are available as low interest
loans through the Texas Water Development Board.
DWSRF information 
For more information on the Source Water Protection Program, contact
the DWP team.
