Groundwater and You
Activities | Conservation | Prevent Contamination & Pollution
Learning about the issues that affect our local groundwater supply and how to actively protect it is the next step after learning about groundwater.
Do you know where your groundwater comes from? Are you in charge of protecting the water on your property or managing your well?
Free Groundwater Interpretive Poster (Acrobat, 556KB)
To receive a free copy of this full-color poster that beautifuly illustrates all aspects of the hydrologic cycle, call or email
Donna Kalka at 206-296-8494.
The links below will help you further investigate these issues and take action.
Activities
The Citizen's Guide to Groundwater Protection (External Link)
This Environmental Protection Agency Web page is intended to help citizens take an active and positive role in protecting their community's groundwater supplies. It includes basic information about groundwater, the major sources of groundwater contamination, and how to protect groundwater quality.
Clean Water Car Wash Kits
Available for FREE to those planning charity car washes. When you wash cars in a parking lot, the used wash water carries dirt, soap, and oil into streams, lakes, wetlands, and Puget Sound. The kits prevent this and protect water ways from non-point source pollution.
The Groundwater Advocates Coalition (External Link)
"Out of sight - not out of danger," is how this organization, compromised of citizens representing the Issaquah community, industry, water user groups, special interest groups, and local, county, and state government, views the importance of protecting groundwater.
Groundwater Protection Committees
Created by King County's Groundwater Protection Ordinance and other pending legislation, the groundwater protection committees are responsible for participating in and monitoring implementation of their respective Groundwater Management Plan as well as providing advice and review on groundwater-related topics to a variety of groups and elected officials.
The Ground Water Protection Council (External Link)
Consists of state and federal ground water agencies, industry representatives, environmentalists, and concerned citizens, promotes and ensures the use of best management practices and fair but effective laws regarding comprehensive groundwater protection.
The National Groundwater Association (External Link)
Working to protect the world's groundwater resource.
The Storm Drain Stencil Project
Volunteers "make their mark" on water quality in local waterways by helping King County stencil storm drains with the message, "Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream." The stenciled messages help raise community awareness about the damage that occurs when residents pour hazardous wastes down storm drains.
The Washington State University Extension-King County Land/Water Stewardship Program (External Link)
Trains volunteers to lead their communities in natural resource management.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
Tour one of King County's regional wastewater treatment plants and learn about the treatment process, water reuse, and how we protect public health and the environment by treating wastewater.
Conservation
The American Water and Energy Savers (External Link)
A list of 49 ways to save water.
Backyard Conservation (External Link)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, shows how conservation practices that are used on agricultural land across the country to conserve and improve natural resources can be adapted for use on land around the urban home.
Bureau of Reclamation - Pacific Northwest Region (External Link)
A division of the Department of the Interior, this Web page discusses meeting the increasing water demands of the Pacific Northwest while protecting the environment and the public's investment.
Honey I Shrunk the Lawn
Northwest native plants are beautiful, provide habitat for you and wildlife, and help save water. Learn how to replace lawn with native plants and all the local resources to do so.
Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (External Link)
Local government news and an informational section on water conservation.
Rain Barrel Information and Sources
Using rain barrels to conserve water for yard use helps reduce stormwater runoff, recharges groundwater, and reduces your water bill.
The Saving Water Partnership (External Link)
Sponsored by Seattle and its 25 Puget Sound water utility partners who receive their water from the Cedar River Watershed and the Tolt River Watershed. This site is intended to help people find out how to reduce the amount of water they use at home and at work.
Seattle Public Utilities - Conservation and Environment (External Link)
News about water conservation, landscaping, volunteer opportunities and education for the City of Seattle.
Water Use it Wisely (External Link)
A comprehensive water conservation campaign based in Arizona. It points consumers to a number of ways to save water.
WaterWiser (External Link)
A program of the American Water Works Association, lists conservation tips to conserve water and money at home.
Prevent Contamination & Pollution
Do's and Don'ts Around The Home (External Link)
This Environmental Protection Agency Web page shows how to start at home to help protect surface and groundwater from non-point source pollution.
Horses for Clean Water (External Link)
An online resource for environmentally sensitive horse keeping.
Public Health - Seattle & King County Drinking Water Program
Know the facts about how you can protect water from contamination. Web site details sources of contamination for small public water systems.
Public Health - Seattle & King County's Wastewater Program
Explains the warning signs of a failing system which is one more way to help prevent groundwater contamination.
Safer Gardening and Pest Control
Insecticides can spread to creeks and lakes, threatening water quality. Consider a different approach to controlling pests by learning some clever, time-tested tricks of ecologically-friendly gardening.
Information presented here is available in alternate formats upon request.
TTY: 800-833-6388.
|
