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Source Water Protection

Source Water Protection is the act of proactively protecting the quality and quantity of our drinking water sources. These sources may include groundwater, streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and each one of these bodies of water is susceptible to various types and levels of contamination. It is important to understand what Potential Sources of Contamination (PSOCs) may be located within the Source Water Protection Area (SWPA) of your drinking water sources in order to apply the best protection approach for your system.

DEQ’s Source Water Protection (SWP) Program intends to meet public water systems wherever they are in their source water protection journey. For systems interested in gaining a greater understanding of what protection efforts may look like at their utility, DEQ will identify their SWPA, PSOCs, and susceptibility through a Source Water Assessment. A SWP Report will then be provided, which provides details on the results of the assessment, suggestions regarding best management practices, funding sources, community engagement, and project ideas.

DEQ’s SWP Action Plan Template can be used following the completion of an assessment to create a comprehensive plan to prioritize source water protection. DEQ Capacity Development staff are available for onsite visits to assist in the creation of a SWP Action Plan. 

Once the report is complete, an appropriate SWP Action Plan can be designed and implemented to protect the system’s source water.

Request SWP Assistance

Oklahoma Source Water Collaborative

The Oklahoma DEQ is a member of the Oklahoma Source Water Collaborative. This group is composed of several state and nationwide agencies and partners who meet quarterly to identify the source water protection needs of water systems across the state, as well as to facilitate collaboration across the agencies involved.

The collaborative has developed the following web map to provide information related to source water within the state of Oklahoma, including project details, potential sources of contamination (PSOC), hydrology, water rights, utility information, and other data sources.

View OK Source Water Collab Web Map

Questions?

For more information about the source water protection program, or to sign up to participate, please click the “Request SWP Assistance” button above and fill out the form, or contact the Capacity Development Section via phone at 405-702-8100 or email us at DEQ.CapDev@deq.ok.gov

Last Modified on Dec 01, 2025
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