Did you know that the majority of Riverdale sits on top of our drinking water aquifer? The aquifer beneath the surface is tapped into by Riverdale City for drinking water. Riverdale operates two wells within the City. There are also several wells operated by Weber Basin Water. The areas above these aquifers are Source Water Protection Zones.

Source Water Protection Zones have been set up to help protect our drinking water from being contaminated. Once a drinking water source becomes contaminated, the water must be treated. If it cannot be treated a new source must be found. Both of these options are very expensive and the cost of doing so must be passed on to the customers. It is far better to protect our drinking water from contamination in the first place.

What can you do to protect our drinking water? The best way to protect our drinking water source is through education. Everyone needs to realize that what is poured onto or spread upon the ground will seep into the soil and can eventually find its way into our drinking water source. Even a small amount of a contaminant such as motor oil will seep into the ground. It may take years to find its way to the ground water but it will get there. Listed below are ways you can help protect our drinking water.

As part of an ongoing education program, future newsletters will provide more information about Source Water Protection Zones. You may also find out more by visiting the following websites: http:/www.deq.state.ut.us/eqdw/source_protection_intro.htm or http:/www.epa.gov/safewater/protect.html. For question please contact Lynn Moulding at 394-5541 ext. 1219.