| National Ground Water Awareness Week Calls for Good Stewardship |
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| Written by AFBF | |
| Thursday, 12 February 2009 | |
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Washington, DC - The American Farm Bureau Federation is encouraging the nation’s farm and ranch families to help spread the importance of protecting ground water resources in March. Farm Bureau has teamed up with the National Ground Water Association to promote National Ground Water Awareness week March 8-14.
The American Farm Bureau Federation supports NGWA efforts during awareness week to provide well owners (and other users) useful information on the importance of ensuring a clean, safe water supply. “Most Americans tend to take water for granted,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “Of course, only when there is a shortage or a problem do we become alarmed. But everyone can easily become good stewards by protecting ground water.” “It’s a time to recognize the importance of ground water and water well stewardship for the nation’s future,” said Kevin McCray, NGWA’s executive director. “Public and private organizations with an interest in stewardship of our water resources should consider how to promote ground water and water well stewardship throughout the year and, in particular, during National Ground Water Awareness week.” Whether one lives in urban or rural areas, the best way to protect ground water is through the proper storage, use, and disposal of hazardous household substances. Such substances include products like gasoline and oil, paints and paint thinner, fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides and cleaning products. Ground water is vital to the health and well-being of people across the nation. About 12 million households rely on private wells for their water supply and many community water systems rely on ground water in whole or part to meet water demands. Ground water also supplies much of the nation’s water for agricultural irrigation and makes up about 95 percent of all available fresh water. Cliff Treyens, NGWA’s public awareness director, said the organization emphasizes a four-point stewardship message focusing on ground water protection, proper water well construction, regular well maintenance, and regular water testing and treatment when necessary. “All of these messages are important to ensure a continued supply of safe ground water. We encourage people to learn more and find ideas for promoting ground water awareness in the public section of the NGWA Web site, www.ngwa.org,” Treyens said. |
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