It’s Groundwater Awareness Week: Time to show your aquifer some ♥

Madison, WI – March 10, 2014 – It supplies drinking water for every man, woman and child in Madison, but you can’t sail on it, swim in it, or even see it. Our “5th lake” doesn’t always get noticed, but it’s crucial to the health and vitality of our city. That’s why Groundwater Awareness Week (March 9-15) is a great time to show our vast but hidden aquifer some love.
 
Eventually, chemicals and pollutants dumped on the ground will make their way to our aquifer. That’s why Madison Water Utility has created an ongoing Wellhead Protection Program to identify specific areas where groundwater contributes to the city's well water supply. We are working with the City of Madison to establish measures that prohibit or restrict future activities in those zones around our wells that could contaminate groundwater.
 
There are also plenty of simple things we can all do to protect our groundwater. As you tackle spring cleaning, be sure to properly dispose of household chemicals. Spring is also a great time to think about conservation – planting drought-resistant plants, using a rain barrel, investing in high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances, and taking advantage of Madison Water Utility’s Toilet Rebate Program. Check out our website for more tips. And stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages this week for all kinds of useful information.
 
Every year Madisonians use 10 billion gallons of groundwater pulled from our aquifer. It's up to all of us to keep it safe and plentiful for generations to come.
 
(And for a glimpse of something few people get to see – check out the video below. It’s a rare look at our aquifer as we lower a camera inside one of our well holes and plunge through water more than a thousand feet below Madison.)
 

Links

• Madison Water Utility Toilet Rebate Program
• Dane County Clean Sweep household waste disposal
• Madison Water Utility: Protecting Our Groundwater

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