Geographic Information System Program
The PWSSP is preparing to implement a Geographic Information System (GIS)
program. A GIS combines layers of information about a place to give a better
understanding of that location. Planning support systems can measure and
compare performances of different planning scenarios according to planner- or
citizen-defined indicators for land use, transportation, natural resources, and
employment, to name a few. As communities grow, concerns over the placement
of gas stations, placement of sewer lagoons as opposed to septic tanks,
placement of hospitals, mortuaries, industrial buildings all need to be considered.
The PWSSP encourages all Navajo Nation community planners to become involve
in environmental planning in their community development initiatives. Protection
of the community’s drinking water source(s) is very important as it will have
serious impact on the community.
program. A GIS combines layers of information about a place to give a better
understanding of that location. Planning support systems can measure and
compare performances of different planning scenarios according to planner- or
citizen-defined indicators for land use, transportation, natural resources, and
employment, to name a few. As communities grow, concerns over the placement
of gas stations, placement of sewer lagoons as opposed to septic tanks,
placement of hospitals, mortuaries, industrial buildings all need to be considered.
The PWSSP encourages all Navajo Nation community planners to become involve
in environmental planning in their community development initiatives. Protection
of the community’s drinking water source(s) is very important as it will have
serious impact on the community.
Source Water Protection Guidance
The Navajo Nation faces significant challenges conserving our surface water supplies due to our arid southwest climate. Therefore, 97%
of our source water comes from groundwater. Groundwater is also used for raising livestock, agriculture, and industry. Groundwater
was once thought to be protected by layers of rock and soil, it is now known that groundwater can be vulnerable to potential
contamination. To address this, the NNEPA-PWSSP has established a guide for development in and around water supply watersheds
aimed at protecting the local source waters from existing land uses and new developments; "Source Water / Wellhead Protection
Guidance document."
of our source water comes from groundwater. Groundwater is also used for raising livestock, agriculture, and industry. Groundwater
was once thought to be protected by layers of rock and soil, it is now known that groundwater can be vulnerable to potential
contamination. To address this, the NNEPA-PWSSP has established a guide for development in and around water supply watersheds
aimed at protecting the local source waters from existing land uses and new developments; "Source Water / Wellhead Protection
Guidance document."
Components of Susceptibility Assessments
Components of Susceptibility Assessment are used to develop the
source water protection plans. The SA process includes:
The SAs have been a process of gathering information and processing
this data to learn about the community's drinking water source. The
information should tell the residents where their water supply comes
from and what conditions and/or practices may pose threats to quality.
CLICK HERE to view the Susceptibility Assessment Survey Form.
source water protection plans. The SA process includes:
- Identify the drinking water source (aquifer)
- Identify the sources of potential contamination
- Assessing how susceptible the drinking water source is to
contamination - Making the Susceptibility Assessments available to the public
The SAs have been a process of gathering information and processing
this data to learn about the community's drinking water source. The
information should tell the residents where their water supply comes
from and what conditions and/or practices may pose threats to quality.
CLICK HERE to view the Susceptibility Assessment Survey Form.
Wellhead Protection Guidance Document
Protecting drinking water sources is the first line of defense in ensuring safe drinking water.
- Cover Page/Table of Contents/Executive Summary
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Roles and Responsibilities
- Chapter 3: Implementation
- Chapter 4: Determination of Wellhead Protection Areas
- Chapter 5: Inventory of Potential Sources of Groundwater Contamination
- Chapter 6: Wellhead Protection Area Management Strategies & Implementation
- Chapter 7: Contingency Plans
- Chapter 8: Spill / Incident Response Planning
- Chapter 9: Wellhead Protection Requirements for New Public Water Systems
- Chapter 10: Public Outreach and Educational Efforts
- Glossary
- Appendix A: Section 1428, 1986 Amendments, Safe Drinking Water Act
- Appendix B: Wellhead Protection Related Excerpts from the NNPDWRs
- Appendix C-1: Checklist of Required Wellhead Protection Requirements
- Appendix C-2: Wellhead Protection Checklist
- Appendix D: Generic Scope of Work: Roles & Responsibilities of Owners of PWSs
- Appendix E: Sample of Notification Letters
- Appendix F-1: NNEPA Organizational Chart
- Appendix F-2: NNEPA Personnel Listing
- Appendix G: Contact Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers
- Appendix H: Vulnerability Assessment Form (Version 3)
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| Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency • Public Water Systems Supervision Program |
Navajo Nation Chapter agencies can use these
Guidelines as part of the development review, comment,
and approval process. Land developers can use the
Guidelines when designing projects located in the areas
where water supply could be affected within watersheds.
The Guidelines build upon existing land use. They
establish water quality control measures, specific to
drinking water sources, for construction and new
development, and also include recommendations for
long-term maintenance of the control measures.
Overall, it serves as a road map for sensible
development, increases the reliability of the water
supply, and reduces the potential for drinking water
treatment costs.
Guidelines as part of the development review, comment,
and approval process. Land developers can use the
Guidelines when designing projects located in the areas
where water supply could be affected within watersheds.
The Guidelines build upon existing land use. They
establish water quality control measures, specific to
drinking water sources, for construction and new
development, and also include recommendations for
long-term maintenance of the control measures.
Overall, it serves as a road map for sensible
development, increases the reliability of the water
supply, and reduces the potential for drinking water
treatment costs.
GIS's mission is to establish a positive working relationship to provide computer
generated maps of various water layers, boundaries and community watering
point information on the Navajo Nation.
GIS program will continue to collect and use geographic data for access and
distribution of non-sensitive data to requesting parties. Currently, general Navajo
Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) dataset are secured by approval of NTUA for the
use of GIS dataset license. Navajo EPA-PWSSP will not display their data outside
the office without a written consent of NTUA. However, other GIS dataset have
come from Navajo Land Department and is available for the general public.
generated maps of various water layers, boundaries and community watering
point information on the Navajo Nation.
GIS program will continue to collect and use geographic data for access and
distribution of non-sensitive data to requesting parties. Currently, general Navajo
Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) dataset are secured by approval of NTUA for the
use of GIS dataset license. Navajo EPA-PWSSP will not display their data outside
the office without a written consent of NTUA. However, other GIS dataset have
come from Navajo Land Department and is available for the general public.
Disclaimer: All map information provided is still under development but is made available to the requesting party for the purpose of
identifying, displaying general information on land. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the Navajo Nation EPA-PWSSP as to
the accuracy of this data, nor shall the fact of distribution constitute any such warranty, and no such responsibility is assumed by the
Navajo Land Department in connection therewith.
identifying, displaying general information on land. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the Navajo Nation EPA-PWSSP as to
the accuracy of this data, nor shall the fact of distribution constitute any such warranty, and no such responsibility is assumed by the
Navajo Land Department in connection therewith.