National Groundwater Awareness Week

March marks National Groundwater Awareness Week, an annual event sponsored by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) and The Groundwater Foundation (GF). This nationwide observance highlights the importance of protecting, managing, and responsibly using groundwater—one of our most valuable natural resources. It also encourages residents to test and maintain their water wells each year.

Groundwater plays an essential role across the United States. Below are key facts that demonstrate both its significance and the need for continued conservation:

• The Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world’s largest, covers more than 174,000 square miles across eight states: South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. It holds over 2.4 billion acre‑feet of groundwater. Scientists estimate that if it were fully depleted, it could take up to 6,000 years to naturally recharge.
• Within the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District, only small portions of the Ogallala Aquifer are present. Most local groundwater comes from undifferentiated sand-and-gravel aquifers, alluvial aquifers, the Niobrara Chalk, and the Dakota Sandstone formations.
• Household water waste is more common than many realize. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• Typical household leaks can total nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water each year.
• Of the 29 billion gallons of water used daily by U.S. households, nearly 30% (9 billion gallons) goes to outdoor use—and that number can reach 70% in hot or dry climates.
• The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the nation uses 82.3 billion gallons of fresh groundwater per day for public and private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and other needs.

Everyone has a role in protecting this vital resource. NGWA encourages every individual to become a “groundwater advocate” by using water wisely and supporting conservation efforts.

To learn more, visit the National Groundwater Association at www.ngwa.org.
For questions about groundwater in your area, contact the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) at 402‑254‑6758.

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