dbd-80.nd
 
March 1994
 
Ground Water Youth Guide
 
 
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Fargo, ND
 
 
 
 PROTECTING OUR GROUNDWATER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We need to make sure that pollutants don't get into our groundwater.
 
 
How can we protect our groundwater?
 
Let's discuss a few of the water pollutants or contaminants and what
can be done to protect our groundwater from them. We all need to learn
hoe to safely handle and dispose of products and materials that may
cause water contamination.
 
dbd-80.fig1.nd.gif
Figure 1.
 
 
 
Gasoline:
 
Gasoline,fuel oil, and other petroleum products are stored both above
and below ground in large storage tanks.When they leak above the
ground, the leak is easily seen. Below ground it may leak for years
and not be noticed. New storage tanks are built better and must be
monitored for leaks, especially buried tanks.
 
 
Pesticides and Fertilizers: 
 
Pesticides and fertilizers can also contaminate our groundwater.To
prevent this, pesticides and fertilizers should be handled, applied,
and disposed of only according to the product label.
 
 
Animal and Human Wastes:
 
These wastes can carry disease causing bacteria, viruses, parasites
and other organisms harmful to both man and animals. Municipal water
supplies are treated to kill these organisms. However, the best
approach to groundwater protection is not to allow these organisms to
reach it. This can be done by maintaining septic systems in proper
working order, properly sealing wells or constructing safe livestock
yards.
 
Wells that are no longer in use are called Abandoned Wells, What
should you do with an abandoned well? Seal it up properly. If an old
well is left open gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, or other
contaminants may be poured directly into the ground water.
 
Because groundwater contamination is difficult and expensive to
cleanup, the best policy is not to contaminate water. knowledge of
groundwater conditions and sources of contamination will help us keep
our water safe today and in the future.We have to remember that
groundwater movement and sources of contamination change quickly from
area to area, Therefore, knowing about local conditions and activities
that cause contamination is very important. Also, just because
contamination is not present today does not mean it may not occur in
the future. For that reason we must always be watchful for possible
problems and use practices that protect our groundwater resources.
 
Protection TODAY will help guarantee good groundwater to future
generations.
 
Do you want to be part of the solution to groundwater pollution, or do
you want to be part of the problem? It's up to you!
TXTEND
 
Funding for this publication was provided by the U.S.Department of
Agriculture Extension Service, under project numbr 89-EWQI-1-9006 and
the Nort Dakota State University Extension Service.
 
NDSU Extension service. North Dakota State University of Agriculture
and Applied science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Robert J. Christman, Interim Director, Fargo. North
Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8
and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap,
age, Vietnam era veterans status. or sexual orientation; and are an
equal opportunity employer.