March 8-14, 2015
This week is National Groundwater Awareness Week sponsored by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA). According to the NGWA, 44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply — be it from either a public source or private well. The NGWA promotes stewardship through protection and conservation.
Here are a few things NGWA suggests you can do to protect your groundwater:
- Properly store hazardous household substances* in secure containers
- Mix hazardous household substances over concrete or asphalt where they can be cleaned up or absorbed
- Dispose of hazardous household wastes at an appropriate waste disposal facility or drop-off location
- Do not put hazardous household wastes down the drain or in the toilet
- Do not put any wastes down a dry or abandoned well
- If you own a septic system, service it according to local health department recommendations
- If you own a water well, get a yearly maintenance check to ensure sanitary seals are intact
- Decommission abandoned wells on your property using a qualified water well contractor
- Fix or replace any leaking aboveground or underground tanks storing hazardous substances or petroleum
You can find more information on groundwater and water well stewardship by going to NGWA’s Web site for well owners, www.wellowner.org or contacting me.