This week is National Groundwater Awareness Week, a week set aside each year to highlight how important groundwater is to people’s health and the environment. According to the CDC, one-third of Americans, more than 102 million people, get their drinking water from public water systems that use groundwater.
Human activities can contaminate groundwater, often by the incorrect use of fertilizers and pesticides; poorly situated, constructed, or maintained septic systems; improper removal or storage of wastes; mining and construction; and chemical spills at work sites.
Contamination of groundwater systems can lead to outbreaks of disease. Previous outbreaks have occurred either because the groundwater was untreated or because of problems with water treatment.
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