Below ground is 99% of the world's readily potable drinking water. Human activity above ground can have severely negative effects on that water source.

Groundwater pollution happens when pollutants are released into the ground, and over time they move through the soil and end up in natural underground reservoirs called aquifers. Some pollutants can develop naturally, such as decaying matter, minerals and metals, but contamination by man-made toxins, such as gasoline, pesticides and household chemicals, are largely preventable. These toxins can lead to extremely negative health effects in both the people and animals who depend on the water tainted by them.

Fortunately, the communities where the Living Water Project partners to dig wells typically do not have the same kinds of contamination as the industrialized world. The wells installed with help from LWP are deep enough to evade seepage from pit latrines. Plus, chemical testing is required before LWP arrives in a new area for drilling. Additionally, all wells are built with a wellhead protection area to keep out contaminants at the well opening. This water is safe to drink.

And while most of us reading this drink water purified by treatment plants, it is still important to prevent groundwater pollution wherever we can. One way you can prevent groundwater contamination is by disposing of hazardous materials (unused paint, household cleaners, motor oils, etc) at a hazardous waste disposal site. Simply do a Google search of “hazardous materials disposal site near me” and dispose of unwanted items there rather than putting them in the curbside trash or pouring out into your yard. It’s a little extra work, but isn’t cleaner soil, cleaner water and a cleaner planet worth it?