A revised position paper on groundwater protection was adopted by the NGWA Board of Directors in June.
The paper provides directions to sustaining aquifers for present and future beneficial uses, including the role of managed aquifer recharge to support communities’ water resilience. The audience for the revision is decision makers at all levels, particularly in communities facing groundwater quality or shortage issues.
The central issue addressed is: “How do we protect the nation’s groundwater from contamination and depletion for present use and future generations?” The NGWA position statement in the revised paper supports protection of the nation’s aquifers containing fresh and brackish groundwater from water quality degradation and depletion and emphasizes increased awareness of the importance of groundwater and continued management under state authority.
The paper notes aquifers should not be left in an indefinite contaminated condition when affected by hazardous substances disposal. Groundwater and surface water interaction may affect groundwater availability to communities. Long-term groundwater level monitoring and proactive groundwater management are essential to address future aquifer storage.
The position paper also adds financial support by all levels of government should prioritize protection of groundwater as an investment in essential natural infrastructure and address groundwater monitoring, data sharing, and community education.
Click here to read the revised position paper on groundwater protection.
See all of NGWA’s position papers.