Features Contamination Water Issues
Celebrate Protect Your Groundwater day

Sept. 10 – Nearly all useable freshwater is groundwater, making it worth caring for to meet human and environmental needs, said the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in recognizing Protect Your Groundwater Day (PYGWD).

“There is something every person can do to protect groundwater through conservation or protection from contamination,” said NGWA public awareness director Cliff Treyens, in a media release. “Learn what you can do.”

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an estimated 99 per cent of all available freshwater comes from aquifers underground. Being a good steward of groundwater just makes sense, the two organizations said.
Not only is groundwater the most abundant source of available freshwater, most surface water bodies are connected to groundwater.

Many public water systems draw all or part of their supply from groundwater, so protecting the resource protects the public water supply and impacts treatment costs. Groundwater also plays a big part in the economies of individual states.

For those who own a well to provide water for their family, farm, or business, groundwater protection is doubly important. Well owners are the managers of their own water systems. Protecting groundwater will help reduce risks to the well owner’s water supply.

“Do not let Protect Your Groundwater Day pass without considering what you can do to protect this critically important resource,” Treyens continued.

Steps individuals can take to protect groundwater can be found at the PYGWD website, www.NGWA.org/PYGWD.