It’s easy to be good steward of groundwater and water wells, and there’s no better time to begin than National Ground Water Awareness Week, which runs March 7 through 13.

Every person can be a steward of groundwater through good groundwater protection practices. These practices include the proper storage, use and disposal of hazardous household substances. Such substances range from cleaning products, paints and paint thinners to used motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides and weed killers.

Since the owners of household water wells are their own water system manager, these additional stewardship practices are particularly important:

1) Make sure a new water well is located and built properly by a qualified water well system contractor

2) Make regular water well system maintenance a priority

3) Regularly test your water and, if necessary, treat it to reduce health risks.

In addition to groundwater protection practices, here are some simple tips for how to be a good steward of groundwater and water wells:

• Three ways to be a groundwater steward—First, use water wisely by learning some simple ways to conserve water. Second, use a professional to maintain your onsite wastewater treatment system (septic system). And third, locate any abandoned wells on your property, and then have a qualified water well system contractor make sure it is properly decommissioned.

• Three ways to be a water well steward—First, don’t try to service your own well. Too often this can create rather than solve problems. Always use a qualified water well system contractor. Second, get an annual water well system maintenance checkup to make sure your well system is in good condition. And third, regularly test your water for bacteria, nitrates and anything of local concern. If after a well system inspection or any necessary maintenance a water quality problem remains, consult a qualified water well system contractor about an appropriate water treatment system to address the issue.

Learn more at NGWA’s Web site, www.wellowner.org.

NGWA, a nonprofit organization comprised of 13,000 U.S. and international ground water professionals—contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers—is dedicated to advancing the expertise of all ground water professionals and to furthering ground water awareness and protection through education and outreach. NGWA's vision is to be the leading community of ground water professionals that promotes the responsible development, use, and management of ground water resources.