Protect Your Groundwater Day
Tuesday, September 07, 2021, 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM EDT
Category: Allied Org Events
We all rely on groundwater in some way, and groundwater relies on us to protect it.Protect Your Groundwater Day takes place in September of each year. PYGWD is an annual observance established to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. The event is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance. Stay tuned for more information including social media graphics you can share, online tools, and more. In the meantime, check out the Groundwater Foundation’s tools for engaging the next generation of groundwater professionals, including the Awesome Aquifer Kit. Simple ways everyone can act to protect groundwaterEveryone can and should do something to protect groundwater. Why? We all have a stake in maintaining its quality and quantity.
Groundwater protectionThere are two fundamental categories of groundwater protection:
Before examining what you can do to protect groundwater, however, you should know that sometimes the quality and safety of groundwater is affected by substances that occur naturally in the environment. Naturally occurring contaminationThe chemistry of the groundwater flowing into a well reflects what’s in the environment. If the natural quality of groundwater to be used for human consumption presents a health risk, water treatment will be necessary. Examples of naturally occurring substances that can present health risk are:
Public water systems are required to treat drinking water to federal quality standards. However, it is up to private well owners to make sure their water is safe. Contamination caused by human activitiesHuman activities can pollute groundwater, and this is where every person can help protect groundwater — both in terms of groundwater quality and quantity. Some common human causes of groundwater contamination are:
Water conservationAmericans are the largest water users, per capita, in the world. In terms of groundwater, Americans use 79.6 billion gallons per day — the equivalent of 2,923 12-oz. cans for every man, woman, and child in the nation. Agricultural irrigation is far and away the largest user of groundwater in America at 53.5 billion gallons a day followed by public use via public water systems or private household wells at a combined total of 18.3 billion gallons per day. More of water in either of these areas could save a huge amount. At the household level, the greatest amount of water used inside the home occurs in the bathroom. The remainder of indoor water use is divided between clothes washing and kitchen use, including dish washing, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Depending on where in the country you live, outdoor water use can vary widely. ACT — acknowledge, consider, take actionOn PYGWD, NGWA urges you to ACT. Use this day to begin doing your part for protecting one of our most important natural resources — groundwater. 1. Acknowledge the causes of preventable groundwater contamination
2. Consider which apply to you
3. Take action to prevent groundwater contamination
For more information and resources please visit this webpage. |