National Groundwater Awareness Week
National Groundwater Awareness Week serves as an annual reminder for water well owners that they are responsible for testing, tending, and treating their private systems.
According to the United States Geological Survey, of all the freshwater that exists, about 25 percent is estimated to be stored as groundwater. Groundwater in the Lower Gallatin Watershed can be used for a variety of purposes including irrigation and drinking water.
Montana State University (MSU) Extension provides a Montana “Well Educated” program. The goal of the program is to provide private well owner education about water quality as it relates to health, and quality of life. The program allows for participating counties in conjunction with MSU Extension Water Quality to provide well owners with materials to sample their well water quality. This partnership helps prevent non-point source groundwater contamination from private wells through well owner education while also monitoring groundwater quality. The “Testing Your Well Water” web page provides additional information on where to pick up a test kit, what you should test for, and a list of certified labs in Montana for faster testing results.
Wellowner.org gives the following tips to Practice Groundwater Awareness Week in your home:
Schedule your annual checkup on your water well. 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.
Be a responsible well owner and get your well tested!