MONROE - Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. It is, therefore, a renewable resource, although renewal rates vary greatly according to environmental conditions.
It also is an abundant natural resource. Of all the freshwater in the world (excluding polar ice caps), 95 percent is groundwater. Surface water (lakes and rivers) only make up three percent of our freshwater.
All people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater, according to the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated; the second step is to keep from contaminating groundwater.
Forty-four percent of the American population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply - reason enough to act to protect groundwater. Another reason is that contaminated groundwater can harm the environment, including the ecosystems that depend on groundwater.
The LWCD offers the following challenge to local residents to help protect groundwater from contamination:
- Properly store hazardous household substances (i.e. paint, paint thinners, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, oil or gas products) 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.
- 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.
Groundwater Awareness Week is coming and the LWCD would reminds people to have their yearly well test and inspection. At the very least, LWCD recommends testing your well for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The Green County Health Department has test kits available for $3 or free if to those pregnant or with a child under 1 year old. Property owners can choose to just test coliform bacteria and nitrates for $35 or a homeowner's test which tests for coliform bacteria, nitrates, iron, sulfides, and hardness for $44.
It also is an abundant natural resource. Of all the freshwater in the world (excluding polar ice caps), 95 percent is groundwater. Surface water (lakes and rivers) only make up three percent of our freshwater.
All people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater, according to the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated; the second step is to keep from contaminating groundwater.
Forty-four percent of the American population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply - reason enough to act to protect groundwater. Another reason is that contaminated groundwater can harm the environment, including the ecosystems that depend on groundwater.
The LWCD offers the following challenge to local residents to help protect groundwater from contamination:
- Properly store hazardous household substances (i.e. paint, paint thinners, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, oil or gas products) 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.
- 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.
Groundwater Awareness Week is coming and the LWCD would reminds people to have their yearly well test and inspection. At the very least, LWCD recommends testing your well for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The Green County Health Department has test kits available for $3 or free if to those pregnant or with a child under 1 year old. Property owners can choose to just test coliform bacteria and nitrates for $35 or a homeowner's test which tests for coliform bacteria, nitrates, iron, sulfides, and hardness for $44.
