Why it's important to you

Groundwater Awareness Week spotlights one of the world's most important resources – groundwater. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the ground from rain, snow, sleet and hail. Clean groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment, but it can become polluted or contaminated by anything that is dumped or sprayed on the ground. Whether you are served by a public water system or are on a private well, whether you are a health care professional, policy maker, regulator, or just interested in clean water resources and the environment in general – knowing how to keep contaminants out of groundwater is important to us all. Private well owners are urged to sample their well water quality once a year.

Activities for well owners

• Read Keeping your well water well (PDF).
• Schedule your annual well water checkup.
• Have your water tested. Water from household wells, as well as public wells, should be tested every year for coliform bacteria and nitrates. You can order additional tests if you suspect other contaminants. Check prices before ordering tests. Here is a list of state-accredited labs that conduct drinking water tests (PDF). Information on water testing may also be available from your county health department and the Oregon Drinking Water Program.

More information

• National Groundwater Awareness Week: Information from the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) on groundwater, groundwater stewardship and water well checkups.
• NGWA's Website for Well Owners: Information about groundwater and how to protect and care for private wells.
• Well Water Program: Resources for well owners from the Oregon State University Extension Service. Be sure to check out the subheadings on the left side of the page.
• Groundwater and Source Water Protection: Information from the Oregon Drinking Water Program about groundwater protection and public drinking water systems that use groundwater.