Buffer Zones around Water‐Supply Reservoirs

Abstract

In urbanizing areas, the protection of watersheds draining into potable water reservoirs may present a problem. Growing conflicts are arising between interest in development of land and desire to preserve drinking water supplies from contamination. This paper outlines a strategy designed to preclude development only upon a front buffer zone adjacent to the reservoir itself and lower portions of its tributaries. A wider zone behind (up slope from) the front buffer would be required to have special controls over nonpoint source pollution imposed as a condition of development. This special control buffer zone would provide for reduction in pollution from the runoff that reaches the reservoir from channels and tributaries.