National Groundwater Awareness Week

What You Can Do!

Although programs exist to help protect our sources of drinking water, including groundwater, we the users are the most important actors in protecting these resources.

Protecting your source of groundwater is also up to you. Texans are fortunate to have the advantage of vast natural resources, among them clean and safe sources of drinking water.

However, to ensure these continued resources we must all take a greater role in protecting our sources of drinking water.

Do you know where your source water comes from? Is it groundwater or surface water? Does it come from a private or public water supply? What are the possible contaminants near your water supply?

Here are a few things you can do to protect your source of drinking water:

• – Be aware – Do you know where the tap water in your house comes from? Is it groundwater or surface water? Does it come from a spring, lake or other public water supply? Are there potential sources of contamination nearby?
• – Be mindful – Protect your groundwater from household pollutants. Do you use household chemicals and dispose of them down the drain? Cut down on household chemical use and learn to dispose of chemicals properly. When using chemicals on your lawn and garden, do you follow the label directions? More is not better with these products.
• – Use Less – What are the main uses of water in your household? How can you cut back on use and waste? Is the shower running for five minutes before you climb in? That’s 25 gallons. Didn’t finish that glass of water? Don’t pour it down the drain, water a plant. Do you use drought-tolerant landscaping specific to your region? If not, try some of the water conservation practices recommended by the Texas Water Development Board (https://www.twdb.texas.gov/conservation/index.asp).

Here are eleven more ways you can help protect and conserve groundwater:

• Dispose of chemicals properly.
• Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
• Limit the amount of fertilizer and pesticides used on plants.
• Take shorter showers.
• Shut off water while brushing teeth.
• Run full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.
• Water plants only when necessary.
• Get involved in your community’s land and water use planning decisions.
• Properly dispose of pharmaceutical products. Find out if your city or pharmacy has established programs for the disposal of expired medications and other pharmaceuticals.
• If you have a private well, it is your responsibility to protect and maintain it. Water wells should be sampled and tested at least once a year to help ensure safe water consumption.