The Public Water Systems Supervision Program is under the Surface and Groundwater Protection
Department of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency The NNEPA is an independent entity of
the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation. SGWD is responsible for protecting the waters of the Navajo
Nation.
The Domestic Wastewater Program (DWWP) is under the Surface and Groundwater Protection Department
of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency. DWWP is responsible for protecting water sources
and environment of the Navajo Nation. CLICK HERE to view the Domestic Wastewater Program.
Department of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency The NNEPA is an independent entity of
the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation. SGWD is responsible for protecting the waters of the Navajo
Nation.
The Domestic Wastewater Program (DWWP) is under the Surface and Groundwater Protection Department
of the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency. DWWP is responsible for protecting water sources
and environment of the Navajo Nation. CLICK HERE to view the Domestic Wastewater Program.
Where Does Our Water Come From?
Our drinking water comes from two major
sources- surface water and groundwater.
Surface water includes rivers, lakes, streams,
and reservoirs. Groundwater includes
underground aquifers. One of our most
valuable resources, aquifers are things you
cannot see and may not even know are there!
Aquifers are formed when air spaces in rocks
below the ground become filled with water.
Aquifers are the source of water for wells and
springs. Wells can be drilled into the aquifers
and water can be pumped out to provide
drinking water.
Rain and snow melt eventually add water
(recharge) into the porous rock of the aquifer.
The rate of recharge is not the same for all
aquifers though, and that must be considered
when pumping water from a well. Pumping too
much water too fast draws down the water in the
aquifer and eventally causes a well to yield less
and less water to run dry. In fact, pumping a
well too fast can even cause another nearby well
to run dry if both wells are pumping from the
same aquifer.
Our drinking water comes from two major
sources- surface water and groundwater.
Surface water includes rivers, lakes, streams,
and reservoirs. Groundwater includes
underground aquifers. One of our most
valuable resources, aquifers are things you
cannot see and may not even know are there!
Aquifers are formed when air spaces in rocks
below the ground become filled with water.
Aquifers are the source of water for wells and
springs. Wells can be drilled into the aquifers
and water can be pumped out to provide
drinking water.
Rain and snow melt eventually add water
(recharge) into the porous rock of the aquifer.
The rate of recharge is not the same for all
aquifers though, and that must be considered
when pumping water from a well. Pumping too
much water too fast draws down the water in the
aquifer and eventally causes a well to yield less
and less water to run dry. In fact, pumping a
well too fast can even cause another nearby well
to run dry if both wells are pumping from the
same aquifer.
Water is a Precious Resource
Most people take water for granted. Many people
assume that the water will always come out of their
kitchen tap and that it will always be wholesome. It is the
job of the water system operator to get the water from the
source to the consumer’s tap. This may involve pumping
water out of the ground or diverting a stream, then
removing harmful contaminants, and pumping the water
through miles and miles of pipe. Water in the ground
may be free, but getting the water from the source to the
people’s homes and making sure that it is safe costs
money. An important part of the operator’s job is to help
people understand why piped water to their homes is not
free.
Most people take water for granted. Many people
assume that the water will always come out of their
kitchen tap and that it will always be wholesome. It is the
job of the water system operator to get the water from the
source to the consumer’s tap. This may involve pumping
water out of the ground or diverting a stream, then
removing harmful contaminants, and pumping the water
through miles and miles of pipe. Water in the ground
may be free, but getting the water from the source to the
people’s homes and making sure that it is safe costs
money. An important part of the operator’s job is to help
people understand why piped water to their homes is not
free.
| Yá'át'ééh — Welcome to our homepage! |
PWSSP is Now a Primacy Program
The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency's Public Water Systems Supervision Program is now
being represented as a Primacy Program, based on U.S. EPA-Region 9's approval of the Primary
Enforcement Authority over most of the water systems on the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency's Public Water Systems Supervision Program is now
being represented as a Primacy Program, based on U.S. EPA-Region 9's approval of the Primary
Enforcement Authority over most of the water systems on the Navajo Nation.
Photo courtesy of Destination360.com "Utah Rainbow Bridge"
Destination360.com
Destination360.com
| Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency • Public Water Systems Supervision Program |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Public Water Systems Supervision Program. All rights reserved. Last Updated: Friday, February 3, 2012 |
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