Throughout 2016, the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is promoting watershed awareness and protection strategies through the “Lake Erie Starts Here” storm water education campaign.
While we have long celebrated our region’s plentiful sources of freshwater, National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 6 – 12) provides a valuable opportunity to identify ways to protect these water resources.
As homeowners and residents, there are ways to ensure pollutants do not enter surface and groundwater from our property. If you own a septic tank, have it pumped every two to three years to maintain the system and prevent a breakdown that could pollute groundwater. Limit the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, being careful to follow instructions and application rates. Dispose of hazardous wastes properly by not dumping them on the ground, pouring them down the drain, or flushing them down the toilet.
If you own a water well, have your water tested regularly. This will give you a baseline of its quality and provide the ability to detect any changes in future water tests. About 99 percent of the available freshwater on earth is groundwater, and groundwater is the source of about 95 percent of Geauga County’s tap water. Though it may be unseen, let’s do our part to keep it clean!
