Theme

This year’s theme, Think, was designed to urge each of us to consider various ways we can protect our most valuable natural resource. So Think about not running the water while you brush your teeth. Or Think about getting that leaking faucet fixed. Think about the farmers that rely on groundwater to grow the food we eat. And Think about having your well inspected to protect your drinking water system. In short, during #GWAW, Think about our future.  

Get Involved

In the weeks leading up to #GWAW, NGWA encourages everyone to become official “groundwater protectors” by taking steps to conserve and protect the resource. Businesses, individuals, educators, students, federal agencies, cities, associations, and everyone in between can ask to be added to NGWA’s groundwater protector list through its website or on social media. Have an awesome story to tell? Great! Send it to NGWA and they might highlight your efforts.

Resources

On NGWA’s #GWAW site, groundwater protectors will find a toolkit with downloadable and shareable materials to spread the word. These materials include:

• Suggested social media posts (just copy and share!)
• List of facts about groundwater
• #GWAW FAQ
• Logos and graphics including email header, social media images, printable groundwater protector icon, and more
• Press release to share with local media or government officials

Facts

Approximately 132 million Americans rely on groundwater for drinking water. It is used for irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and several additional purposes, making it one of the most widely used and valuable natural resources we have. Consider the following facts:

• Americans use 6 billion gallons of groundwater each day.
• Groundwater is 20 to 30 times larger than all U.S. lakes, streams, and rivers combined.
• 44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply.
• More than 2 million households have their own well, representing 34 million people.

Please visit www.ngwa.org/gwaw2019 for more!