Protecting Groundwater
Well Water Program
You and your community can make a difference by taking action to promote safe groundwater resources for the future.
Many everyday activities around our homes and in our communities have the potential to contaminate groundwater. You have direct control over many potential contaminating activities on your property, such as how you manage your well or dispose of household hazardous waste.
You might think you can do nothing to protect groundwater from contamination from landfills, gas stations, construction, cattle feedlots, manufacturing, and many other activities, but you can. In many cases, these activities require permits. As an interested citizen, you can voice your concerns at permit renewal hearings.
There also are many opportunities to increase public awareness of risks and to recognize commercial activities and individuals that are taking positive steps to protect groundwater. You and your community can make a difference by taking action to promote safe groundwater resources for the future.
How to Get Started
- Look over the protecting groundwater pages listed below and identify the topics that apply to your home, community, or other area of interest.
- Jot down some ideas for action and if possible do one of them right away. Once you start taking action, you will make a difference!
- Learn more about the topic. Check out the recommended websites or make some phone calls.
- Get others involved and work together on the community action steps.
Protecting Groundwater Topics
Wells
Rural homesteads and businesses, farms, some urban areas.
Septic Systems
Rural homesteads, semi-rural residential areas, businesses.
Home, garden, and automotive chemicals
Urban areas and rural homesteads.
Home, Garden, and Automotive Chemical details
Fertilizers
Agriculture, rural and urban homes, public areas.
Commercial Use of Pesticides
Farming, nursery operations, orchards, Christmas tree farms, timberlands, lawn services, insect control, gold courses, parks, roadsides, school yards, sports fields.
Commercial Use of Pesticides details
Hazardous Materials Used in Business and Industry
Manufacturing, dray cleaners, vehicle repair, junkyards, construction, logging, scientific research, water treatment plants, and many more.
Hazardous Materials Used in Business and Industry details
Storage Tanks- Underground and Aboveground
Gas stations, homes with heating oil, industrial and agricultural chemical suppliers, farms and ranches, school bus yards, fleet maintenance operations, other businesses.
Transportation and Handling of Fuels and Chemicals in Bulk
Everyone with storage tanks, delivery services, trucking companies, railroads, pipelines.
Transport and Transfer Spill details
Storage Lagoons
Manure management and industrial waste.
Animal Lots
Feedlots, dairies, stables, kennels, and small farms.
Landfills and Dumps
Regional lined landfills to roadside dumping areas.
Landfills, Dumps, & Waste details
Natural Contamination Sources
Contaminated streams or lakes interacting with groundwater, natural substances.
Contamination from Natural Sources details
Miscellaneous Urban Activities
Storm-water runoff, construction, abandoned industrial sites, pre-1940 cemeteries
Miscellaneous Urban Activity details
This section, including most illustrations, was adapted with permission from "Groundwater Contamination" by Lyle Raymond, Jr. (© Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, November 1988).