Dear Editor:

Any resource taken for granted is a resource at risk of being lost.

That is why the Minnesota Water Well Association, The Groundwater Foundation and the National Groundwater Association are joining hundreds of organizations across the country from Sunday through March 13 in celebrating National Groundwater Awareness Week.

National Groundwater Awareness Week, now in its 22nd year, is an annual week of awareness, education and advocacy focusing on one of Minnesota’s and the nation’s most precious resources.

Minnesota depends on groundwater for nearly 65% of its public water. It also provides over 465,000 private water wells in the state with fresh and clean water every day. The U.S. uses 80.3 billion gallons per day of fresh groundwater for public supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power and other purposes.

Groundwater is undeniably crucial to our society and is a resource that must be advocated for and protected by our citizens. That is why this week we are sharing online tools for the public to become better educated on groundwater issues and opportunities to protect groundwater in their own backyard!

To learn more about groundwater and its usage, visit ngwa.org/gwaw. Here you will find free groundwater educational resources and ways to increase awareness of groundwater issues in your community. Remember, if you don’t speak up for groundwater, who will?

For the almost half-million Minnesota residents who rely on private water wells, we encourage you this week to test, tend and treat your private water system. An annual inspection of your well and its water can not only save you thousands of dollars in potential damages, but can also protect the health of your family.

To find a certified water well contractor in your area, visit mwwa.org/directory.

Whether it’s writing a letter to your representative, posting groundwater facts on social media or having your own water supply tested and treated, please remember to take time this week and help protect groundwater in Minnesota!

Dave Schulenberg,
executive director,
Minnesota Water Well Association