Public water source protection began in Vermont in the late 1970's with the use of hydrogeologic methods to site new public community water supplies. A more formalized approach began in 1982 with the delineation of Wellhead Protection Areas (then called Aquifer Protection Areas or APA) for most municipal systems.

Since 1985, the delineation of Public Water Source Protection Areas (SPA) has been required for all proposed new sources for Public Community Water Systems. Since 1992, a Public Community and Non-Transient, Non-Community Water System must have an approved Source Protection Plan (SPP) in order to receive an Operating Permit. Those systems which do not have a SPP are issued a Temporary Operating Permit that includes a schedule of compliance for submission of a Source Protection Plan. The Water Supply Division will be completing Source Water Assessments for all Transient Non-Community Public Water Systems.

Assistance with all aspects of Vermont's Public Water Source Protection Program is available by calling the Water Supply Division at 1-800-823-6500 or (802) 241-3400.

For more information, please see the following:

How To Update Your Source Protection Plan  2 pages PDF

Checklist for Completing A Source Protection Plan  1 page PDF

Source Protection Plan Requirements 1 page PDF

Source Protection Plan Overview 1 page PDF

Source Protection "How to" 2 page PDF

Groundwater Source Protection Area Fact Sheet for Community Systems   1 page PDF

Groundwater Source Protection Areas Fact Sheet for NTNCs   1 page PDF

Surface Water Source Protection Areas 1page PDF

Model Groundwater Protection Ordinance   9 pages

Protecting Public Water Sources in Vermont 121 pages PDF

Ounce of Prevention Handbook

Source Protection Loan Program 1 page PDF

Water Supply Permits

Application Forms related to Water Supply Permits

Related Links:

Water conservation tips - www.vteco.com/contntpg/watrcons.html