Source Water Protection

The Bryan Water Department has an excellent record of providing safe drinking water to the public, and we are continuing our efforts to insure an abundant supply of clean water for the future. The Bryan Board of Public Affairs authorized a monthly surcharge on customers' water bills -- $1.50 for residential, $2 for commercial, and $2.50 for industrial users -- to finance source water protection programs. We are extremely dependent on our ground water supply; and therefore, we must protect it from contamination.

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires states to establish a Source Water Protection Program to protect public water supply systems from contamination. The Ohio EPA oversees Ohio’s Source Water Protection Program.

The Bryan Water Department has prepared a Source Water Protection Plan. Preparation of this plan included

• determining where the ground water that supplies our city comes from
• delineating the Wellhead Protection Area*
• completing an inventory of potential pollutant sources within the Wellhead Protection Area
• developing a management strategy to protect the area from contamination
• implementing public education programs, and
• installing signs around the area to alert motorists they are entering a ground water protection area and to please report spills by calling 911

*A Wellhead Protection Area is defined as the land surface and subsurface area surrounding a wellfield through which water, or contaminants, can enter the ground and move toward the wellfield within five years.

  Wellhead Protection Area   (Map)

In addition to evaluating and protecting Bryan's current wellfields, BMU has initiated the development of an additional wellfield west of Bryan for future growth. BMU, on behalf of the City of Bryan, has also sought Sole Source Aquifer designation for a portion of the MICHINDOH Glacial Aquifer that supplies Bryan and the surrounding area with drinking water. Follow this link for more information about the Sole Source Aquifer designation.

Proper management of our water supply will help insure the prosperity of Bryan's economy and the health of its residents.