Tips offered for ‘Protect Groundwater Day’

MAT-SU — The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation announced that Sept. 10 was “Protect Your Groundwater Day.”

“In Alaska, about 80 percent of the population rely on water wells that draw all or part of their supply from groundwater,” said Charley Palmer, hydrologist for the Drinking Water Protection Group within the DEC Drinking Water Program. “Protecting groundwater helps ensure that we maintain healthy sources of drinking water for our citizens now and into the future.”

DEC advises all Alaskans to help conserve water by modifying their water use and installing a water-saving device. Exercise proper care when dealing with hazardous household substances; store them properly in a secure place, use them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and dispose of them safely. If planning a new well:

• Use a qualified water well contractor/driller.

• Review nearby well logs.

• Talk to your neighbors.

• Choose a high and dry location for your well.

To prevent problems with an existing well:

• Obtain a complete well log with production testing information for your well after the well is drilled.

• Install a properly vented well cap or sanitary seal.

• Use and store possible sources of contamination a safe distance from the wellhead.

• Stay current on your septic system inspection and pumping.

• Test your water at least once a year for coliform bacteria and nitrates, possibly arsenic and other possible drinking water contaminants.

To maintain your well:

• Obtain a water right, the legal right to use groundwater from DNR.

• Check your well regularly.

• Schedule regular inspections using a professional.

• Keep well records (well log, production test information, and any water quality test data) in a safe and dry place.

• Properly decommission any abandoned (unused) wells using a professional contractor.

For more information, visit ngwa.org or dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/index.htm.