# Valuing groundwater during Groundwater Awareness Week March 6-12

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/03/valuing-groundwater-during-groundwater-awareness-week-march-6-12/
- Published: 2016-03-17T02:19:24-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## **Valuing Groundwater – A Critical Resource for Our Future**

As we start Groundwater Awareness Week (March 6-12, 2016), we need to focus on the
hidden treasure under our feet. Groundwater, which we often can’t see or think about,
has a big impact on our everyday lives. Let’s look at why this resource matters 
more now than ever before.

### The Hidden Treasure Beneath Our Feet

Picture a huge underground system of natural water tanks providing water to millions.
That’s groundwater in a nutshell. It’s not just about wells and springs; groundwater
feeds our rivers, keeps our crops alive, and gives water to countless ecosystems.

But here’s the catch: we’re using it quicker than nature can fill it back up. The
U.S. Geological Survey says that groundwater loss has an increasing impact on many
parts of the United States. This isn’t just a problem in one place; it’s a worldwide
issue that needs our focus.

### Why Groundwater Is More Important Now Than Ever Before

Climate change is throwing us curveballs, and groundwater is our hidden ace. It 
serves as our backup plan during droughts. The National Ground Water Association
states that groundwater supplies almost 50% of our drinking water.

What’s more, groundwater does more than just quench our thirst. It acts as the lifeblood
of agriculture supporting over 40% of irrigated land in the U.S. Our food security
could be at risk without it.

### Threats to Our Groundwater Resources

This is where things get tricky. Our groundwater faces many dangers. Pollution from
industrial runoff, farm chemicals, and even our daily activities leaks into the 
ground tainting these crucial reserves.

Pumping too much water creates another major problem. The Environmental Protection
Agency cautions that some regions extract groundwater faster than nature can refill
it. This goes beyond just running out of water; it can cause the ground to sink,
salt water to invade freshwater supplies, and trigger other environmental catastrophes.

### Taking Action: How You Can Protect Groundwater

What can you do? Start small, aim high. Here are some concrete steps:

 1. Repair leaks and cut down on water waste at home.
 2. Use [green cleaning products](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/green-cleaning-products-a-safe-home-choice/)
    to stop chemicals from seeping into the ground.
 3. Back local efforts for responsible water management.

Keep in mind, every step counts. The American Water Works Association states, “Groundwater
protection is everyone’s responsibility.”

## What the Green Living Guy Thinks

As the [Green Living Guy](https://greenlivingguy.com/green-living-consulting-services/),
I want to emphasize how important it is to protect groundwater. This isn’t just 
about saving water; it’s about maintaining our lifestyle. We need to change how 
we think about groundwater. Instead of seeing it as an endless supply, we should
treat it like the valuable limited resource it is.

I think each drop matters. From repairing dripping taps to backing eco-friendly 
farming methods, we all play a part in [safeguarding groundwater](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/environmental-settlement-reaches-3-million-deal/).
We need to bring this unseen resource to the forefront of our environmental awareness.

### Conclusion

As Groundwater Awareness Week 2016 comes to an end, we should keep what we’ve learned
in mind. Caring about groundwater isn’t something we do once a year; it’s something
we need to think about every day to protect our planet’s future. When we understand
and look after our groundwater, we’re not just saving water – we’re making sure 
life can go on.

Sources:

 1. U.S. Geological Survey: [https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/groundwater-depletion](https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/groundwater-depletion)
 2. National Ground Water Association: [https://www.ngwa.org/what-is-groundwater/About-groundwater](https://www.ngwa.org/what-is-groundwater/About-groundwater)
 3. Environmental Protection Agency: [https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water)

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