A Park to Protect the Water

		A Park to Protect the Water
		Acting Entity: Durham & Orange Counties Contact Person: Jane Korest Cost: $1,332,000 Population Served: 176,000	Water Supply: Reservoir Little River Reservoir, City of Durham PWS ID: 0332010
		Two North Carolina counties worked together to establish a park near an area previously under consideration for a landfill. The Little River, a source of Durham's drinking water, bordered the proposed landfill site and citizens became concerned about drinking water contamination. After the proposed landfill was vetoed, it became apparent that the land should be permanently protected to conserve water quality. Durham and Orange Counties secured funding to create a park from a tract of land adjacent to the Little River. The Little River Regional Park is now an important area of green space and buffers Durham's drinking water source from contaminants in surface water runoff. The park supports low-impact recreation and ensures that this key tract of land and the adjacent Little River remain pristine.