King County urges groundwater awareness: Think about the water you drink, March 11-17

One out of every three King County residents relies on underground water resources for their drinking water. A King County survey found 97 percent of residents polled believed protecting water quality is important, yet many people do not realize their actions have an impact on groundwater quality and quantity.

Groundwater is rainwater that has filtered into the ground and is stored beneath the surface like water in a sponge. In King County groundwater is used as a potable water supply by about 30 percent of the population, and 90 percent of the public water systems rely on groundwater for their water source.

March 11-17 is Groundwater Awareness Week, when the National Ground Water Association encourages everyone to learn more about groundwater and take action to protect the quality and quantity of our drinking water. For more information, visit the National Ground Water Association Web site at www.wellowner.org.

Residents are urged to take the following actions to protect our groundwater:

Protect groundwater from contamination. 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 and other household hazardous items to a hazardous waste disposal site free of charge. Call 206-296-4692 or visit the King County Local Hazardous Waste Program Web site at http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/index.cfm.

Well owners annual water well checkup. Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and with well ownership comes the responsibility of keeping your well in good working order. Have private wells inspected for health and safety. Spring is a good time for a well checkup – before the peak water use season begins. Check water quality and do preventive maintenance, which is typically less costly than emergency maintenance.

A check by a qualified water well contractor may include: A flow test to determine system output, along with a check of the water level before and during pumping, pump motor performance (amp load, grounding and line voltage), pressure tank and pressure switch contact, and general water quality.

Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the well casing to ensure it is in good shape and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.

Test your water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and anything else of local concern. Other typical tests are those for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and other water constituents that cause problems with plumbing, staining, water appearance and odor.

Keep your well records, including the construction report, annual water well system maintenance and water testing results, in a safe place.

Unused wells should be properly decommissioned and filled in. This prevents groundwater contamination, protects water quality, and reduces potential liability for injury to both people and animals.

For information on well maintenance, testing water quality, decommissioning a well, or finding a qualified well drilling/water system maintenance specialist, visit the National Ground Water Association Web site, www.wellowner.org. Call the Seattle King County Public Health Department, 206-296-4932, for local information on maintaining wells.

Conserve water. Groundwater supplies are not endless, and some King County communities have faced shortages in the summer. Conserving water today ensures more water remains for tomorrow. One way to save water is to landscape using native plants to reduce the amount of water needed for yard care. For information on water conserving natural yard care alternatives call 206-633-0224, or check out the Northwest Native Plant Landscape Guide, at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/gonative/.

Local groundwater information: The King County Groundwater Protection Program seeks to protect groundwater to ensure the health and well-being of its residents who rely on groundwater for drinking. The program also seeks to ensure there is ample groundwater to replenish streams, lakes and wetlands that support fish and wildlife. For more information on the King County Groundwater Program call 206-296-1910 or visit: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/groundwater.

The King County Water and Land Resources Division's Groundwater Protection Program received national recognition in 2006 for its efforts to educate citizens about the importance of groundwater. The division won the Center for Digital Education’s Digital Education Achievement Award in the student-focused category for the animation, "The Groundwater Story," in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, the City of Renton, the conservation group Water Tenders and the production artists at Leaping Media. Visit: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/groundwater to view the "The Groundwater Story.”