Tribal Source Water Protection
NMRWA's Tribal Source Water Protection Program (TSWPP) has a 7-year track record of effective source water protection planning and implementation that, in addition to managing potential sources of contamination, assists Tribes in meeting water system compliance goals and improving sanitation deficiency scores.
The TSWPP supports effective source water protection planning and implementation for Tribal communities. Source water protection encourages local interest and education about the water system, water resources, and overall community health. This community capacity building allows tribal water operators, environmental managers, officials and other community members to take ownership of their water system and to view protection efforts as part of their daily responsibilities. Source water protection committees formed under the TSWPP are dynamic, functional groups that take on the responsibility of providing safe, clean drinking water to their community.
This NMRWA program encourages many other activities in Tribal communities including utility department development, utility board development, source water protection ordinances, solid waste management, hazardous materials management, GIS capability, watershed protection, environmental education programs, and land-use planning.
With US EPA funding support, the NMRWA is on track to achieve complete drinking water protection planning and implementation coverage of all New Mexico Pueblos and Tribes. Furthermore, this program is expanding to serve First Nations within all of EPA Region 6. The TSWPP is helping Tribal communities ensure the sustainability of their water resource for future generations. Please contact Andrew Sweetman for more information. Also see our Tribal Resources Guide for links and informational downloads.