| Abstract: | ABSTRACT: The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act mandate a multifaceted approach to wellhead protection. This approach includes: (1) delineating wellhead protection areas; (2) identifying and managing potential contaminants; (3) developing contingency plans in the event of weilfield contamination; (4) siting new wells; and (5) encouraging public participation. These elements encompass technical, administrative, and educational considerations. In functioning both as a research tool and as a decision support system, a geographic information system (GIS) is shown to have proven utility in addressing these issues. This article describes the application of common GIS functionality in facilitating a comprehensive wellhead protection scheme for an agricultural municipality in North Dakota. |
