DEQ determined the area that contributes water to the well or surface water intake. DEQ calls this area the source water area.
Inventory.  DEQ conducted an inventory of potential sources of contamination within the source water area that may affect the water supply.

DEQ conducted an analysis of the located potential sources of contamination. This analysis identified the potential contaminant sources with the greatest likelihood of affecting the water supply.

DEQ produced a report summarizing all the information gained during the assessment. The reports contain maps of the source water area, lists of major potential sources of contamination, and summaries of the susceptibility analyses.  To obtain a copy of an assessment report conducted in 2004, please submit a public records request.

The Wyoming Wellhead Protection Guidance Document describes the process of developing a wellhead protection plan in detail.  This same document can also guide a public water system or homeowner through the development of a surface water, wellfield, or aquifer protection plan using the same basic steps.

• Prevent Contamination. Knowing what sources of contamination may affect your water supply gives you a chance to prevent or minimize contamination. Finding and developing new sources of water is increasingly difficult and expensive, so the most effective thing to do is to protect your current water supply.
  
  
• Better Planning.  Emergency response plans, new water supply development plans, and city and county planning efforts will need the best information possible to make good planning decisions.
  
  
• Minimize Treatment and Monitoring Costs. Several Safe Drinking Water Act rules require additional treatment or monitoring when contaminants are present in the source water.  Public water supplies may avoid or minimize treatment or chemical cost increases, requirements to add new treatment facilities, or requirements to monitor more frequently or for more contaminants.