Town of Russellville works to protect its drinking water

RUSSELLVILLE -- The source of Russellville's drinking water is groundwater produced from local drinking water wells. To help protect the underground aquifer and water wells from potential contamination, the Town of Russellville has developed a Wellhead Protection Plan, which was approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on Sept. 23, 2005.

Since then, the Local Planning Team has met annually to update the plan and implement management strategies to protect the drinking water source.

The town is continuing to implement strategies to protect groundwater and stay in compliance with IDEM requirements. A complete copy of the Wellhead Protection Plan and educational pamphlets are available for public viewing at the Town Hall, 211 S. Harrison St.

The Local Planning Team had an annual meeting on Aug. 13 to discuss the Wellhead Protection Program. Russellville's Wellhead Protection Program focuses on public awareness and education and spill prevention and reporting.

This year, notification letters with educational information for protecting groundwater will be sent to county and state transportation departments regarding WHP Area boundaries and WHP issues related to highway maintenance and transportation.

In the upcoming year, the Local Planning Team will continue public education efforts and will also focus on identifying active, inactive and abandoned water wells.

Water wells that become damaged or are no longer in use are a potential conduit for surface contamination to reach the groundwater and contaminate the underground drinking water source.

Anyone who has a well on his or her property is asked to contact Devon Davis, Russellville clerk-treasurer, at 435-2371 so that it can be added to a tracking database.

Below are some tips to help residents protect their drinking water source:

* Recycle used oil, automotive fluids, batteries and other products. Don't dispose of hazardous products in toilets, storm drains, wastewater systems, creeks, alleys or the ground. This pollutes the water supply. Visit www.westcentralswd.com for more information on recycling and household hazardous waste disposal locations in Putnam County.

* Reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides or other hazardous chemicals you use. Buy only what you need so you don't have to dispose of leftovers. Read labels and follow all directions on household chemicals and other hazardous products used around your home.

* Check your car, boat, motorcycle and other machinery and equipment for leaks and spills. Place drip pans under leaking vehicles and equipment and make repairs as soon as possible. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material such as kitty litter or absorbent cloths and properly dispose of the material. Do not allow spills to soak into the ground. Do not rinse spills with water or into a nearby storm drain.

* Properly abandon water wells that are no longer in use.

Drinking water protection is the responsibility of all citizens. The goal of Wellhead Protection is to ensure that a clean water source is available for the community's current needs and a supply is preserved for future generations.