Valuing Groundwater During National Groundwater Awareness WeekIf you value your life, you should value groundwater, the National Ground Water Association said recently in recognition of National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 6-12. Quite literally, life as we know it would not be possible without groundwater. “National Groundwater Awareness Week is a time to take stock of this most important natural resource,” said NGWA Director of General Public Outreach Cliff Treyens. “In times of drought or groundwater contamination — when people are noticeably affected — the value of groundwater becomes clear,” said Treyens. “The principle behind what Benjamin Franklin said two centuries ago remains true today: ‘When the well runs dry, we shall know the value of water.’” It is estimated that groundwater makes up an estimated 99 percent of all freshwater in the world. At a national level, the United States uses:
(Click here for state groundwater-use breakdowns — click on the appropriate state and then click on “groundwater use.”) Because groundwater is “out of sight, out of mind” for most, National Groundwater Awareness Week provides a convenient opportunity for people to learn about the importance of groundwater to their lives, said Treyens. He urged the public to visit NGWA’s groundwater fundamentals web page, as well as its website, WellOwner.org, where well owners can learn information vital to take care of their water quality and their wells. Here are some more interesting groundwater facts:
About NGWA SOURCE: NGWA
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