Groundwater: Drink it, protect it, conserve it

Groundwater Awareness Week: March 13 - 19

2005 Archived News

The lack of rainfall this winter has been hard to miss. Flowers are blooming early, with warm, sunny days as their backdrop. A lack of snow in the mountains has disappointed many skiers.

This year, Groundwater Awareness Week, March 13-19, follows one of the driest Februarys recorded in local history, underscoring the need to protect and conserve this valuable, yet hidden water resource.

Groundwater is rainwater that has filtered into the ground and is stored beneath the surface like water in a sponge. So when rainfall decreases, groundwater supplies are impacted. Groundwater sources, other than very shallow wells, generally are less affected than surface water sources by any one year's low snowpack or rainfall conditions. But, even deeper wells may be affected by below average rainfall or snow over several years.

In King County, approximately one-third of all residents rely on underground water resources for their drinking water. And 99 percent of King County's public water systems rely on groundwater. Yet, many people do not realize the impact their actions have on groundwater.

Here's what you can do:

• Dispose of hazardous waste properly. Even if you are not near a stream or other surface water body, hazardous waste dumped on the ground can infiltrate the soil and seep into local groundwater. Take pesticides, chlorine bleach, paint products, automotive products (oil, antifreeze, etc.) and other household hazardous items free of charge to the King County Wastemobile. For more information and schedules, call 206-296-4692 or go to www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/.
  
• Test your well or have it tested and inspected by a qualified pump installer or licensed well driller. Just as you check the batteries in your smoke detector seasonally, spring is a good time for a water well checkup -- before the peak water use season begins. Have water quality checked and do preventative maintenance, which is typically less costly than emergency maintenance. Call Public Health - Seattle King County at 206-296-4932.
  
• Groundwater can become contaminated by sewage from failed septic tanks. So if you're one of the 115,000 King County homes on septic, be sure that you monitor your septic system regularly and pump before your system fails. Learn how to recognize the warning signs of a failing septic system. Check the Public Health - Seattle & King County Web site at http://www.metrokc.gov/health/wastewater/owners/questions.htm or call 206-296-4932.
  
• Decommission abandoned wells. If you have an old well on your property that isn't used but remains hidden under the ground, get it properly taken out and filled in. This prevents groundwater contamination, protects water quality and reduces potential injury to both people and animals. For more information call Public Health - Seattle & King County 206-296-4932. (Consider applying for a grant to offset costs. Call the King County Grant Exchange at 206-296-8265.)
  
• Conserve water. Groundwater supplies are not endless. Using less water today ensures that more water is left for tomorrow. Landscaping using native plants to reduce the amount of water needed for yard care is one simple way. For more information, call 206-296-1923 or go to http://dnr.metrokc.gov/topics/yard-and-garden/.

Public Health - Seattle & King County maintains information on water quality for small well systems and can answer questions on well water conservation and general operation and maintenance for water system purveyors. Call 206-296-4932 for more information.

The Groundwater Protection Program of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks works to protect groundwater quality and quantity in order to provide citizens with safe and reliable water supplies. The program also manages groundwater data, well water sampling and regulatory information for the region.

For more information, or to request a copy of the interpretive poster, "Groundwater -- The Hidden Resource," call 206-263-6159.