Clean & Reliable Water

Even if drinking water sources aren’t located within a forested environment, chances are high that those source watersheds derive much of their water quality from forested uplands and headwaters. In the Southeast, more than 44% of the total water supply, or about 98 trillion gallons, comes through state and private forests before it makes its way into waterbodies.

Healthy forests effectively filter water, recharge aquifers, prevent erosion, and provide more than half of the available water supply for 14 million people.

• Forests soften the impact from rainfall and protect soil from erosion.
• Tree roots help rainfall soak into the soil and reduce surface runoff, helping to replenish groundwater.
• Microbes in the soil break down nutrients and contaminants in runoff water, allowing tree roots to absorb these chemicals before entering waterways.
• Forests provide habitat and food sources for a variety of organisms including at-risk aquatic species.

The southeastern states typically apply a non-regulatory approach to BMP implementation with loggers, foresters and landowners. State forestry agencies in the South work collaboratively with key groups and stakeholders to educate, incentivize and reduce barriers to application. This often includes efforts like logger training and certification programs, preharvest planning advice, property tax incentives, equipment loan programs and helping develop forest management plans.