Source Water Protection Program

The City of Dayton Source Water Protection Program (SWPP) is a nationally recognized, multi-jurisdictional effort to protect the public water supply for over 400,000 people in Dayton and Montgomery County.

This unique collaborative partnership brings together local governments, agencies, and stakeholders across southwestern Ohio to safeguard one of the state’s most valuable natural resources: the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer.

Designated by the U.S. EPA as a sole-source aquifer in 1988 – the same year the SWPP was established – this vital water source has been proactively protected through nearly four decades of dedicated effort.

Why Does it Matter?

The aquifer provides clean, reliable drinking water to both residents and industries throughout the region. Protecting it means securing the future health, safety, and economic vitality of our communities. The City of Dayton understands the importance of this responsibility and remains committed to preserving this essential resource.

A Model for the Nation

The City of Dayton launched its comprehensive SWPP through a 1985 Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio EPA. The program was designed to identify and reduce risks to the region’s sole-source aquifer system, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Today, the SWPP is considered a national and international model for innovative water resource management. The Ohio EPA continues to highlight Dayton’s program as a leading example of how to successfully design and implement long-term source water protection strategies.

Source Water Protection Team receives NGWA groundwater protection award
Dayton Water Director speaks with Multi-Jurisdictional SWP Partners

Multi-jurisdictional Partners

  • City of Dayton
  • City of Huber Heights
  • City of Riverside
  • City of Vandalia
  • Harrison Township
  • Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County

Source Water Protection Fund

The Source Water Protection Fund was created to safeguard the region’s drinking water supply. It focuses on funding risk reduction projects to prevent groundwater contamination.

Businesses within the Source Water Protection Area (SWPA) could be eligible for risk reduction project funding or other financial incentives that help protect the aquifer.

Contact a member of the Source Water Protection team to learn more about funding opportunities and the application process for your project:

  • City of Dayton Businesses: 937-333-3725
  • Partnering Jurisdictional Businesses (Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County): 937-225-4362

Source Water Fund Board Meeting Agendas 

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Major Elements of the Source Water Protection Program include

  • Land Use Controls through Zoning
  • Financial Incentives
    • Risk Buy Down
    • Grants
    • 0% Interest Loans
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Program
  • Partnership with Economic Development, Fire, and Zoning
  • Business Inspections
  • Chemical Inventory Reporting
  • Groundwater Monitoring, Time-Critical Investigations, Groundwater/Surface Water Studies
  • Emergency Response
  • Education and Community Outreach

Revised Code of General Ordinances

The Source Water Protection Program in the City of Dayton's Revised Code of General Ordinances (R.C.G.O.) includes provisions in the Water Department Section, primarily Chapter 53, and in the Zoning Section, Chapter 150. The SWPP was originally adopted in August of 1988. The SWPP was written to promote groundwater risk reduction while encouraging economic development.

Source Water Protection Program Logo

Education Material

contact US

If you have questions or need to report a spill, you can reach The Division of Environmental Management directly at 333-3725.

Resident looking at map of Source Water Protection Area