Groundwater Awareness Week

"Groundwater Awareness Week

Much of the water we use comes from the ground. Learn more about groundwater, the threats to its safety, and how to protect its sources during Groundwater Awareness Week.

Clean water is one of the world’s most precious resources. People use water every day for many activities, such as drinking, bathing, recreation, agriculture, cooling, manufacturing, and medical uses. Although water plays an essential role in everyday life, many people don’t realize that much of their water comes from the ground.

An estimated 145 million Americans get their tap water from a groundwater source. Groundwater is water found below the Earth’s surface in spaces between rock and soil. Surface water is water that collects above the Earth’s surface, such as streams, rivers, lakes, or oceans.

National Groundwater Awareness Week, an annual observance sponsored by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA)External, is March 10-16, 2019. This observance highlights how important groundwater is to people’s health and the environment.

All groundwater sources should be protected from contamination (germs and harmful chemicals).

Groundwater Contamination

30% of all the fresh water on Earth is groundwater, while the other 70% is surface water such as lakes and streams. Groundwater supplies water to wells and springs and is an important source of water for public water systems and private wells in the United States.

Protecting the safety of groundwater is an important priority for countries throughout the world, including the United States. Most of the time, U.S. groundwater is safe to use. However, groundwater sources can become contaminated with germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and chemicals, such as those used in fertilizers and pesticides. Contaminated groundwater can make people sick...."
Ground water