Wellhead
Protection Program Introduction
This program is designed to present the general concepts
of protecting public water supplies from contamination.
It is intended for local officials, water supply
managers and interested groups or citizens whose
community relies on ground water for its public water
supply. Many of the concepts presented in this software
may also be useful for protecting private wells.
The wellhead protection program has been set up in an
effort to protect and improve our nation's ground-water
supplies.
What is Ground Water?
Approximately 80% of the population of Lithuania depends on ground water for household use. Ground water is contained in aquifers. These aquifers are recharged through runoff and water infiltrating into the soil.Due to the far-reaching nature of aquifers and the influence of the hydrologic cycle, we must be concerned about the area that contributes water to drinking water wells.
What is Wellhead Protection?
Wellhead protection has historically been viewed by many
people as a fence or shed surrounding a wellhead that
protects the plumbing or well pump from physical damage.
The Wellhead Protection Program expands this concept to
include protection of that portion of an aquifer that
supplies the water to the wellhead.
A Wellhead Protection Program involves establishing an area around a well, called a wellhead protection area, identifying the potential sources of contamination within that area, and managing those sources.
Aside from protecting human health and welfare by
managing potential contaminant sources, a Wellhead
Protection Program has the added benefit of preventing
contamination before it occurs, and may prevent the
closing or costly clean-up of water supply wells.
