![Rainbow over Chases Pond](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/865a06_15d952b513cb481185cf7f5834408232~mv2_d_3000_1295_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_970,h_413,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/865a06_15d952b513cb481185cf7f5834408232~mv2_d_3000_1295_s_2.jpg)
A rainbow over Chase's Pond.
![Text: Protect the Source. Help York Water District and Kittery Water District #ProtectTheSource.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_98a6ae35ed924c6191bf6ba7dd7e40af~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_2,y_0,w_1588,h_269/fill/w_980,h_166,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/2d7ec2_98a6ae35ed924c6191bf6ba7dd7e40af~mv2.jpg)
![Chase's Pond at sunset, York Maine.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/865a06_2d5af1d2ffe84b259bb5c1dbf6454e6c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_71,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/865a06_2d5af1d2ffe84b259bb5c1dbf6454e6c~mv2.jpg)
Source water protection is the mitigation of potential risks and impacts to drinking water supplies. It is one of the first critical barriers against drinking water contamination and other risks to drinking water supplies. A strong source water protection program can be one of the most cost-effective methods for maintaining, safeguarding, and improving source water (and drinking water) quality and quantity.
Benefits of protecting our drinking water sources include:
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Public health protection, through improved understanding, stewardship, and acquisition of the watershed and water supply.
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Improved source water quantity and
quality.
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Environmental stewardship and
accountability.
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Habitat and ecosystem protection.
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Enhanced aesthetic quality of the
watershed, which can help increase
property value in the community.
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Reduced treatment or contaminant
management costs.
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Social benefits from collaboration and partnership-building with local government, citizens, neighboring utilities, and more.
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Enhanced regulatory compliance.
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Improved long-term management of critical natural infrastructure, such as forests.
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Improved preparedness and response capacity for emergency events.
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More robust data on watershed and source water health.
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A common understanding of the natural and human-made stresses and threats facing the watershed.
Chase's Pond at sunset.
![Middle Pond at sunset, York Maine.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_295ce6cefd774f7f986841751ef7f04b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_145,w_1225,h_694/fill/w_144,h_81,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/2d7ec2_295ce6cefd774f7f986841751ef7f04b~mv2.jpg)
Middle Pond at Sunset.
LOOK FOR THESE SIGNS WHEN ENTERING YORK WATER DISTRICT AND KITTERY WATER DISTRICT WATERSHED PROPERTY
![Sign with blue text on white field describing Kittery Water District's Rules of Use.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_d17c6b2b994b4b82b470ab5f730ae601~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_121,h_101,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/2d7ec2_d17c6b2b994b4b82b470ab5f730ae601~mv2.jpg)
Kittery Water District Rules of Use
![Sign with white text on brown field describing York Water District's Rules of Use.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_4b59d45a33054f079c7d3fffb191aacb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_121,h_101,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/2d7ec2_4b59d45a33054f079c7d3fffb191aacb~mv2.jpg)
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
York Water District Rules of Use
USE OF THIS PRIVATE LAND IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT!
![Sign with green text on white field: Leash your pet / Clean up and carry out pet waste / It's the law / A collaboration to protect water quality, wildlife and visitor safety.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_44f57d0ec1bd4000932ee404c2cf1503~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_104,h_157,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/2d7ec2_44f57d0ec1bd4000932ee404c2cf1503~mv2.jpg)
ANIMAL WASTE IS A THREAT TO DRINKING WATER QUALITY.
ALL PETS MUST BE LEASHED AND WASTE MUST BE PICKED UP.
LEASHING YOUR PET WILL PROTECT OTHER VISITORS AND WILDLIFE.
VIOLATIONS MAY RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
YOU can do your part to help protect our communities' source waters by abiding by the rules when using YWD and KWD properties, and reporting any violations or problems you find to the appropriate district.
#ProtectTheSource
![Aerial shot of Chase's Pond after a snow storm, York Maine.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d7ec2_65337db256bd4363a808ad69574b39da~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_698,w_5438,h_2918/fill/w_140,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/2d7ec2_65337db256bd4363a808ad69574b39da~mv2.jpg)
Aerial shot of Chase's Pond after a snow storm. Photo by Jeremy Conte