A methodology for identifying potential sources of contamination upstream of drinking water intakes, particularly from above ground storage tanks and their contents, has been developed as an aid for drinking water utilities.

A Methodology for Locating and Managing Dynamic Potential Source Water Contaminant Data is published by The Water Research Foundation and the American Water Works Association, in partnership with West Virginia American Water, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and Aqua America, Inc. The report is designed to help water utilities complete and update source water characterizations, develop action plans, implement source water protection (SWP) practices, and evaluate and revise their SWP programs.

The method can help with implementation of source water protection practices. Source: AWWAThe work also contributes to emergency preparedness, incident response, and health and safety management efforts.

The methodology for data collection, quality assurance, and data management was developed and tested at five pilot sites with the three partner utilities: West Virginia American Water, Aqua Pennsylvania, and Greater Cincinnati Water Works. Implementing the methodology detailed in this report may help utilities with several SWP practices:

• Prioritize specific sites for follow-up data collection or emergency response planning activities
• Implement and manage contaminant warning and event detection technologies
• Collaborate with others in the drinking water community to prioritize and fill gaps regarding physical, chemical, or toxicological properties of contaminants
• Regularly review and update source water data, risk assessments, SWP priorities, and response plans
• Conduct spill response exercises
• Develop emergency response protocols