BLOG: Next Week is National Groundwater Awareness Week!

by Jennifer Wemhoff, Groundwater Foundation

Next week marks the 20th anniversary of National Groundwater Awareness Week (GWAW) - March 10-16, 2019.

Sponsored by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), GWAW is recognized annually to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. The week is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance.

The 2019 theme of "Think" urges each of us to consider various ways we can protect our most valuable natural resource. So Think about not running the water while you brush your teeth. Or
Think about getting that leaking faucet fixed. Think about the farmers that rely on groundwater to grow the food we eat. And Think about having your well inspected to protect your drinking water
system. In short, during #GWAW, Think about our future.

I asked Groundwater Foundation Executive Director Jane Griffin to weigh on why GWAW is something to be celebrated. “Groundwater is important to so many parts of our daily lives - it’s the
water we drink, grows our food, and nourishes our communities. I hope everyone will truly Think
about the impact groundwater has on your life everyday, what it would look like without groundwater, and what you can do to protect it.”

Now and during GWAW, NGWA and the Groundwater Foundation encourage everyone to become
official “groundwater protectors” by taking steps to conserve and protect the resource. Businesses, individuals, educators, students, federal agencies, cities, associations, and everyone in between can ask to be added to NGWA’s groundwater protector list through its website or on social media.

Take it a step further and get something going in your community - organize a Groundwater Guardian
team to tackle local issues, help a local business or green space become a Green Site by documenting site maintenance practices related to water, do a fun activity with students to help them understand groundwater, or help do all these things by becoming a member of the Groundwater Foundation.

On NGWA’s GWAW website, you can find a toolkit with downloadable and shareable materials to spread the word, including:

• Suggested social media posts (just copy and share!)
• List of facts about groundwater
• GWAW FAQ
• Logos and graphics including email header, social media images, printable groundwater protector icon, and more 
• Press release to share with local media or government officials

You can also find resources on the Groundwater Foundation’s website to help you:

• Become a Groundwater Guardian 
• Get involved with Green Sites 
• Find activity ideas and instructions, games, and more to get youth excited about groundwater

Now’s the time to Think about groundwater and act to protect it now and for future generations!