In 1984, detection of contaminants in the water supply prompted a local environmental group to conduct and publish a preliminary inventory of potential sources of contamination. This spurred Dayton city officials to pursue regional aquifer and local wellhead protection efforts. In 1988, the Greater Miami Buried Valley Aquifer System was designated a Sole Source Aquifer by USEPA and the city passed ordinances establishing the regulatory aspects of a multi-jurisdictional, internationally recognized Wellhead Protection Program. Dayton has over 700 businesses located within its wellhead protection area. The Dayton Chamber of Commerce was involved early in the whole process, which helped ensure that the Dayton Wellhead Protection Program would not cause businesses to close or move. Dayton's program includes limits on the amount of chemicals stored on site that are set by the land owner/business manager based on current chemical use. The intent is to eventually move the chemicals of most risk out of the wellhead protection area over time.

Dayton businesses have found that changes in production and storage processes have helped reduce operating costs and minimize liability in handling and using chemicals.

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