The document discusses the importance of forests for source water protection. It focuses on the Beaver Water District, which provides water to over 330,000 customers from Beaver Lake. Maintaining forests in the Beaver Lake watershed through source water protection programs provides significant economic and public health benefits, according to a 2016 study. The study found that source water protection has a net present value of $125 million and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.4.

1. Forests and
Source Water Protection
Bob Morgan, PhD
Manager of Environmental Quality
Arkansas Forestry Association, 2016

2. • Regional Water Provider
– Bentonville
– Rogers
– Springdale
– Fayetteville
• 47 Million Gallons/Day
• > 330,000 Customers
• Source; Beaver Lake
Beaver Water District

3. Mission
To serve our customers’
needs by providing high
quality water that
meets or exceeds all
regulatory
requirements, and is
economically priced
consistent with our
quality standards.

4. • High quality source
• Source water protection
• Emergency response
• Optimized treatment
• Distribution system
management
• Water quality monitoring
• Educated consumers
Multiple Barriers to Protect Drinking Water

5. Maintain, safeguard, and/or improve the quality of a given source
AWWA G-300 Source Water Protection
• Greater public health
• Response to uncertainties
• Avoiding costs
• Improved compliance
• Customer expectations
• Bond rating
• Funding opportunities
Source Water Protection

6. Beaver Lake Watershed

7. Benefit of Forests

8. Implementing SWP is a Good Value
• The net present value is
$125 million
• The benefit-cost ratio is
1.4
• The internal rate of
return is 18%
Cadmus study 2016

9. Index of Forest Importance to Drinking Water