Green Sites Make a Difference!

The Groundwater Foundation knew the Groundwater Guardian Green Sites program had the potential to make a huge environmental impact. The numbers tabulated by the program show the positive impact on the future of sustainable groundwater. Groundwater Guardian Green Sites is a Groundwater Foundation program that educates and encourages managers of highly managed green spaces to implement groundwater friendly practices.

Thank you Green Sites! You are making a beneficial difference for groundwater by implementing groundwater-friendly practices on your sites. Here’s your environmental impact through 12/31/09:

Reduction in fertilizer use: 729,200 pounds
Reduction in pesticide use: 36.5%
Gallons of water saved: 330,517,895 gallons

Proper disposal of toxics:

• Batteries: 809 (plus 13,105 pounds)
• Oil: 4,197 gallons (plus 6,400 pounds of oil/water mix)
• Tires: 369
• Antifreeze: 65 gallons
• Other: 46,315 pounds

If you know of a green space that would be a candidate for the Green Site program, please contact us at guardian@groundwater.org or call 1-800-858-4844.  More information about the program can be found on the Green Site section of The Groundwater Foundation's website.

Crisis in Haiti Shows the Importance of Drinking Water

Last week’s devastating earthquake in Haiti once again illustrated the importance of water following a disaster. ABC’s World News Tonight on Tuesday, January 19 (http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9606970) reported that water is in short supply all over the capital city of Port-au-Prince. In some cases, those with access to well water were charging people to use the water and had no guarantees that the water was even safe to drink; others waited in line for hours for access to a functioning pump or for bottled water. It made me think back to the hurricanes of 2005, namely Hurricane Katrina, when floodwaters polluted drinking water supplies and created a dangerous shortage. Unlike a hurricane, an earthquake arrives without warning, and is an unpredictable kind of natural disaster, making planning for a response more challenging. The outpouring of support and aid from all over the world has been outstanding; but now comes the challenge of ensuring all those affected are receiving the basic necessities of food and water. It will be interesting to see as time goes on how Haiti’s infrastructure, including drinking water, is rebuilt and if contingencies for a disaster of this magnitude are put into place.

If we can take anything from this tragic event, I hope it’s to truly appreciate the luxury we have of going to the tap and filling a glass with clean, fresh water; a luxury that is all to often taken for granted.

Cheers to 2010 and a new mission!

by Jane Griffin, Groundwater Foundation President

Many comments have been made about the New Year and the new decade, so I believe it is my job to point out yet another important milestone that 2010 brings - the 25th anniversary of The Groundwater Foundation.

In order to prepare for this important milestone The Groundwater Foundation Board of Directors and staff dedicated long and hard hours analyzing and evaluating our impact and our role today and for the next 25 years.  Instead of boring you with the details of the work, I am going to limit myself to sharing with you only the exciting results.

The Groundwater Foundation has adopted a new mission statement that we believe more effectively identifies our purpose:

We educate people and inspire action to ensure sustainable,

clean groundwater for future generations.

The Groundwater Foundation has identified strategic programming goals that will move us towards achieving our mission. Details about our new program, updates on impact of our current programs and more will be posted to our website soon…check back to often to see what is happening in your community and across the nation at http://www.groundwater.org/.


Water is, and will continue to be, vital to our existence; as such, on behalf of all of us at The Groundwater Foundation, I affirm our dedication to educating people and inspiring action to ensure sustainable, clean groundwater for future generations.

Now, let’s pour ourselves a glass of groundwater (which means that one out of every two Americans only needs to go to their tap) and say “Cheers to 2010!”  Yes, 2010 is the year for our organization and the people and communities we serve to celebrate 25 of education, and looking forward to 25 more years of mission delivery!

Groundwater's Important to Our Town

I realize Christmas is past, but this little ditty is timeless. Check it out! Better yet, add a verse or two.

Groundwater's Important to Our Town
(set to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town)

Oh, You better take care,
You better not pollute,
You better not waste it,
I'm telling you why:

Groundwater's important to our town!

It's what we drink,
It grows our crops,
It needs to be protected,
It's vital for life.

Groundwater's important to our town!

It's there when you are thirsty,
It bathes you when you wake.
It waters your lawn and washes your clothes,
So protect it for goodness sake!

Groundwater's important to our town!

It's what we drink,
It grows our crops,
It needs to be protected,
It's vital for life.

Groundwater's important to our town!