Water resources include surface- and ground-water systems and the human activities and landscape factors that affect them. In the Potomac basin, sufficient quantities of clean water are essential for human activities, including water supply and recreation, as well as for ecosystem health.

ICPRB conducts analyses, makes management recommendations, and facilitates cooperative efforts for a wide variety of water resource issues. More information on these issues and ICPRB’s involvement can be found in the following sections:

• Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) (drinking water supply)
• Potomac Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership (DWSPP)
• Source Water Protection (drinking water quality)
• Water Resources (comprehensive planning and assessment)

ICPRB’s work in this area was authorized by the 1970 amendments to the Commission’s compact. These amendments expanded authority to include “utilization, conservation and development of the water and associated land resources.” It also authorized the creation of special purpose sections, of which one, CO-OP was created in 1979.