Protecting Groundwater

To protect groundwater in the well head area, there are many Best Management Practices to choose from. Start with proper siting and locations of wells and potential contaminants such as manure storages, fertilizer, fuel and pesticide storages, septic systems and maintenance shops. Proper maintenance of these facilities and management of the nutrients, pesticides and fuels will help reduce groundwater contamination. Wells need managing too - they may require repair, upgrading, replacement or proper abandonment.

Drip or trickle irrigation technology plus mulching is very water efficient combination: only the root zone of growing crop is watered and the mulch reduces evaporation.

Unused wells are safety hazard and pose a risk to groundwater quality. They should be properly plugged and sealed. Here, water well technicians are adding grout materials to plug the well cavity and seal the potential path of surface and subsurface pathogens.

Septic systems require maintenance - they should be cleaned out every 3 years.

To prevent leaks and spills, fuel tanks should be diked and sized to contain 110% of the total volume stored in the tank.

For further information refer to the following Best Management Practices books:

• Water Wells
• Irrigation Management
• Water Management
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Best Management Practices: A First Look