The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality recently selected Webster Parish as the next stop for its drinking water protection program, "Protect Drinking Water One Drop at a Time."
The goal is to increase public awareness and participation in protecting local drinking water.
Webster Parish Police Juror Steve Lemmons said the DEQ program groundwater protection goals are in line with the Sparta Groundwater Commission; particularly in the area of public awareness.
"That's what we have been trying to focus on through the Sparta Commission," Lemmons said. "(Conservation) education for younger children. But it doesn't just start with children; there are a lot of adults that don't conserve. It needs to not only be child education but a whole population education."
According to Sparta Commission Secretary Alice Stewart, the new DEQ program replaces a portion of the Wellhead Protection Program.
She said that a serious focus on groundwater protection in Webster is essential to more than just this parish.
"For Webster, water quality is particularly important," Stewart said. "A big part of Webster is in the recharge area of the Sparta aquifer. So what you do to protect the surface water there through this protection program is very important. Whatever is dropped off in the recharge area goes into the aquifer."
The Drinking Water Protection Program is a voluntary program designed to assist communities in protecting their drinking water sources. The campaign seeks to involve private citizens, community groups, water systems, local government officials, businesses and industry in the protection of the parish's waters.
Since clean water is essential for good health, DEQ's Drinking Water Protection Team will be present at the meeting to share protection and conservation tips that residents can use in their homes and businesses.
The meeting will also outline the goals of the program and ways in which citizens may participate.
The campaign officially kicks off with a Webster Parish Community Meeting in the Council Chambers of Minden City Hall on Thursday, February 16 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend and take an active role in ensuring clean drinking water for the future.
DEQ is seeking volunteers to serve on committees to work with the community in creating a sustainable drinking water protection program. For more information visit the DEQ web page at http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/AEPs or contact Jesse Means or Tiffani Cravens at 225-219-3510.
