The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association in Bellefonte received a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to fund the protection of local water sources.

The $227,860 grant was issued in August and will go toward the Wellhead Protection Programs, part of a statewide effort by the Department of Environmental Protection to protect wellheads in Pennsylvania, said Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Centre County State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre.

"Protecting our water sources in Pennsylvania is a No. 1 priority. Representative Conklin feels that once a wellhead is identified we need to do everything we can to protect the water source for the community it serves, and this money is part of that effort," Michaels said.

Penn State geosciences professor Michael Arthur said the major source for water in Bellefonte is Big Spring Creek and any contamination in Big Spring Creek would not affect the water in State College, which comes from groundwater.

Arthur said both water systems are susceptible to contamination, but, in general, the Bellefonte and State College water systems provide quality drinking water.

"They have found some contaminants of chemicals associated with dry-cleaning. They don't know the source of that but otherwise it's been pretty good quality," Arthur said.

Matt Milliron, senior planner for Centre County Planning and Community Development, said cities can pay yearly dues to become members of the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA).

Milliron said the PRWA acts as consultant for small towns by helping them identify water sources that need to be protected.

"They study the well and determine what areas around the well are critical. They help you build regulations like to make sure no farmers are spreading really adverse chemicals near the well," Milliron said.