Protect Your Groundwater Day, Sept. 5, focuses on capping and plugging wells to prevent pollution

Nearly 40 million Americans rely on drinking water from privately owned wells, and maintaining them correctly is important for health and environmental reasons. That's why the National Ground Water Association has chosen the theme "Cap It, Plug It" for the annual Protect Your Groundwater Day on Sept. 5. That is, capping active wells and plugging abandoned wells and boreholes. This is especially important in areas of oil and gas production; some unscrupulous operators don't plug abandoned wells or even pull the casing pipe, exposing many rock strata to contamination.

"If an active water well is not properly capped—or if an abandoned well is not properly plugged—it can create a direct pathway for contamination in the same groundwater you and others use for their drinking water supply," says the NGWA website. Protect Your Groundwater Day is important to more than just private well owners, NGWA says, since there are likely millions of abandoned boreholes nationwide. "It is not uncommon for children, pets, and wild animals to fall into these hidden hazards, which also can damage farm equipment that may roll over a hidden well or borehole."

Visit the NGWA website for more information or infographics.