What We Can All Do To Reduce Groundwater Pollution
Why Groundwater is Important
Groundwater has been called the great hidden resource. It conjures up images of vast underground rivers or lakes, pure and pristine, flowing from distant places. In fact, groundwater is quite different from that. It’s more like the water within a saturated sponge, moving slowly through the earth’s pores and cracks and it is replenished locally. Most available fresh water is groundwater. Groundwater is an important source for our drinking water and stream flow. Although most of our groundwater supplies are clean, they are, due to human neglect and carelessness, vulnerable and threatened.
Some facts and fictions about ground water:
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What can I do to reduce pollution?
Groundwater contamination can last for years and be difficult and expensive to clean up. Pollution prevention is the key. We urge you to look at the ways you can help.
At home
- properly dispose of all waste; don’t dump chemicals down drains or on the ground
- test underground fuel oil tanks for leaks; if possible, replace them above ground
- safely store all chemicals and fuels
- minimize the use of chemicals; always use according to directions
- have on-site septic systems pumped and inspected every five years
- examine on-site wells and surrounding land areas; test wells as often as pollution risk demands
At work
- properly dispose of all waste
- ensure proper waste water discharge connections; if possible, eliminate floor drains
- properly use and maintain on-site septic systems
- plug and cover waste dumpsters
Hazardous materials:
- safely store, handle, and use chemicals and fuels
- monitor underground fuel and chemical tanks; if possible, replace above ground
- contain storage and loading areas
- reduce or substitute use of chemicals
Storm water:
- keep chemicals and waste safe from rain
- isolate drains from storage and loading areas
- use deicing salt and pesticides sparingly
Other good management practices:
- conduct an environmental audit
- develop a pollution prevention plan
- regularly inspect high risk areas
- devise an emergency response plan
In town
- ensure that land use plans and regulations protect important water supply aquifers and well fields
- support protection legislation and programs
- inform and educate residents and businesses about groundwater
- consider important aquifers when acquiring open space
- monitor and inspect important well fields and recharge areas
- conduct household hazardous waste collections
- ensure that town facilities practice good pollution prevention
For additional information, contact
Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
Telephone: 860-424-3020
or contact your local environmental or health official.