25 Things You Can Do to Help Protect Groundwater:

1. Support The Groundwater Foundation by becoming a member today!
2. Get your community involved as a Groundwater Guardian.
3. Dispose of chemicals properly.
4. Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
5. Limit fertilizer use.
6. Conserve water in your home by taking short showers, shutting the water off while brushing teeth, running full loads of dishes and laundry, fixing leaky faucets, watering plants and lawns only when necessary, and keeping a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator.
7. Get involved in water education.
8. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
9. Talk to your favorite park or golf course about certification as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site.
10. Purchase “green” or organic household cleaning products.
11. Learn more about where your drinking water comes from, potential sources of contamination, and local and state water protection efforts.
12. Organize a groundwater educational event in your community.
13. Support groundwater education in local schools.
14. Use only the water you need.
15. Plant wide buffer strips of native plants along the edges of wetlands, streams and lakes.
16. Don’t dump anything down storm drains.  Anything in storm drains goes directly to lakes and rivers.
17. Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and leaves from driveways, sidewalks, and streets.
18. If you have a private well, have the water tested at least once a year.
19. Properly maintain your septic system.
20. Don’t dump medications or personal care items down the toilet or drain.
21. Plant a rain garden.
22. Conserve energy.  It takes a great deal of water to supply our homes and businesses with energy.
23. Start a compost pile.
24. Recycle used electronics items like computers, monitors, cell phones, and batteries.
25. Share these tips with your friends, family, colleagues, and others!