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Oregon Health Authority

National Groundwater Awareness Week


Why it's important to you

Groundwater Awareness Week spotlights one of the world's most important resources - groundwater. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the ground from rain, snow, sleet and hail. Clean groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment, but it can become polluted or contaminated by anything that is dumped or sprayed on the ground.

Whether you are served by a public water system or are on a private well, whether you are a health care professional, policy maker, regulator, or just interested in clean water resources and the environment in general - knowing how to keep contaminants out of groundwater is important to us all. Private well owners are urged to sample their well water quality once a year.


Activities for well owners

  • Have your water tested. Water from household wells, as well as public wells, should be tested every year for coliform bacteria and nitrates. You can order additional tests if you suspect other contaminants.

More information