Wellhead Protection Program

              CITY OF LAFAYETTE

WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM

Wellhead Protection (WHP) is a program focused on protecting drinking water from potential contamination.  Protection of groundwater (i.e., aquifers) is critical as it supplies drinking water to most Indiana residents.  It is also important to understand that a sound pollution prevention strategy is far more effective and less expensive than remediating or replacing a contaminated water source.  Public support depends on public awareness, so citizens need to know that many routine activities can affect water quality.  Through cooperation between the citizens in the community, local businesses, and the Lafayette Water Works, a collective approach will lead to a dependable water supply for current and future generations. 

How does your water system work? (click on link below)

epa-ogwdw-publicwatersystems-final508.pdf

To help protect the groundwater and our water supply wells from potential contamination, the Water Works is currently implementing a WHP Plan.  The WHP Plan focuses on public awareness, education, spill prevention, and reporting. For your reference, a complete copy of Lafayette’s WHP Plan is available at 1020 Canal Road in Lafayette, IN.  For more information on the WHP Plan, contact Steve Moore, Superintendent, at 765-807-1700. Refer to the WHP Plan brochure, Protecting Your Drinking Water: Wellhead Protection for more information.

                                                                          ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT

 The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report is provided to Water Works customers each year and is designed to keep customers informed about the quality of the drinking water over the previous year. The Water Works goal is to provide the community with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.  The most recent Annual Drinking Water Quality Report is available by contacting the Water Works office at 765-807-1700 or on the webpage https://www.lafayette.in.gov/1077/Reports.

Understanding your Water Quality Report (click on link below) 

Understanding your Water Quality Report (epa.gov)

HOUSEHOLD TIPS FOR PROTECTING OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

• Learn about groundwater and your water source.   
• Participate in watershed clean-up activities.

• Reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals that you use. Buy only what you need so that you don't have to dispose of leftovers. Read all the labels and follow directions. Refer to these helpful USEPA links:
  • Controlling Pests Safely
  • Disposal of Pesticides
  • Household Hazardous Waste – Tips for your Home

• Plug abandoned wells on your property as these old wells provide a direct route for surface contamination to reach ground water supplies.  Contact a licensed well driller for assistance.
• If you have a septic system, have it inspected and serviced every three years.  
• Dispose of medications properly.  Your local pharmacy may be able to assist or go here https://www.in.gov/bitterpill/prevention/medicine-disposal/  for some options.
• Check your car, boat, motorcycle and other machinery for leaks and spills.  Collect leaks with a drip pan until repairs can be made.  Clean up spills by absorbing the spill.  Do not rinse with water or allow it to soak into the ground.

• Reduce the use of products that contain any of the following words on their labels: caution, warning, danger, poison, flammable, volatile, caustic or corrosive.
• Have a unique trash item? Refer to the city’s list http://www.lafayette.in.gov/303/Unique-Trash-Items  to find out where to dispose of it.
• Recycle used oil, automotive fluids, batteries, household hazardous wastes and other products. Do not dispose of hazardous products in toilets, storm drains, wastewater systems, creeks, alleys or the ground. These actions pollute the water supply. Refer to the Tippecanoe County Solid Waste Management District https://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/recycle  website for contacts and recycling information.

                                                                                      ABANDONED, ACTIVE AND INACTIVE WATER WELLS

The City of Lafayette is attempting to identify active, inactive and abandoned wells within the WHP Area.  Damaged wells can become a direct conduit for surface contamination to reach the underlying aquifer.  We ask for your assistance in identifying abandoned or inactive wells on your property.   Please contact the Lafayette Water Works with relevant information.

Water wells are abandoned if the original purpose and use of the well has been discontinued for more than 5 years or if the well is in a state of disrepair.  If the well was abandoned after January 1, 1988, a licensed water well driller must be used to plug the well.  The licensed driller will complete a record of the abandonment and submit it to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  If a well was abandoned prior to 1988, refer to the Plugging & Sealing Abandoned Water Wells brochure provided by the IDNR (click on link below).  https://www.in.gov/dnr/water/publications/files/808_well_abandonment.pdf  

 Educational Information and Activity Books for Kids:

Pollinator Protection:  Bertie the Busy Bee Coloring Book

                                   Bee Careful with Pesticides! Infographic

Drinking Water:          Thirstin’s Wacky Water Adventure Activity Book

We believe that an effective program of pollution prevention is everyone’s responsibility.   By assisting us in this endeavor, you help ensure that the citizens of Lafayette and surrounding communities will have a safe water supply now and in the future.  If you have any questions or concerns or desire additional information on WHP, please contact Lafayette Water Works at 765-807-1700.