National Groundwater Awareness Week is March 7-13, 2021. #GWAW serves as an annual reminder for water well owners to test, tend, and treat their private water systems.
Facts about groundwater
The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Of the estimated 29 billion gallons of water used daily by households in the US, nearly 9 billion gallons, or 30 percent, is devoted to outdoor water use, according to EPA’s WaterSense program. In the hot summer months, or in dry climates, a household's outdoor water use can be as high as 70 percent.
The United States uses 82.3 billion gallons per day of fresh groundwater for public supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and other purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Tips for practicing Groundwater Awareness Week in your home, courtesy of WellOwner.org
Why Is a Checkup Important? A properly constructed and maintained household-supply well will provide you with many years of quality service. Routine inspection of a water well system can help ensure it is operating properly, prolong its useful life, and protect your investment. Most importantly, inspections can protect your health by discovering issues that could result in water quality problems presenting a health risk.
Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well, and maintain a “clean” zone of at least 50 feet (15.24 meters) between your well and any kennels or livestock operations. Also, always maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems, or chemical storage areas. Your professional water well contractor is familiar with the applicable local codes.
Get your water tested anytime there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime the system is serviced.