What is Groundwater Guardian?

Groundwater Guardian, a program of The Groundwater Foundation, encourages communities to begin groundwater awareness and protection activities, supports the communities in their efforts, then recognizes their achievements. This international program began in 1994 with eight test-year communities and has grown substantially. Communities can represent a number of diverse settings including rural areas, large incorporated cities, Indian Reservations, and watersheds in the United States and Canada.

Communities begin the process by forming a Groundwater Guardian team consisting of citizens, business and/or agricultural representatives, educators, and local government officials. To officially enter the program, the Groundwater Guardian team submits an Annual Entry Form to The Groundwater Foundation. Communities entering the program for the first time can enter at any time during the year.

These teams then develop Result Oriented Activities (ROAs) to address the community's groundwater protection concerns. ROAs fall into many categories including education and awareness, pollution prevention, public policy, conservation, and best management practices. To continue with the program, the Groundwater Guardian team submits an ROA Plan to The Groundwater Foundation for each activity they choose to adopt. During the course of the year, The Groundwater Foundation provides information and materials helpful to the communities as they implement their ROAs, such as the Groundwater Guardian Assistance Kit, The Aquifer, and other timely "hot topic" materials.

By August 31st, communities complete an Annual Report Form detailing their progress during the year. Groundwater Guardian designation is earned by the community when substantive progress is made toward the implementation of activities and accomplishment of goals. Groundwater protection is an ongoing process, and communities re-enter each year as they continue to build on previous successes.

The year culminates with a National Groundwater Guardian Designation Celebration held in conjunction with The Groundwater Foundation’s Annual Conference each November. This conference brings together a diverse group of community representatives and their partners to be designated as Groundwater Guardians. Most importantly, the conference is an opportunity to network and share success stories with others who may benefit from their community's experiences. This three-day conference features presentations by community and organization representatives. The highlight of the conference is the designation banquet where community representatives are honored for making substantive progress toward comprehensive groundwater protection in their community.

Again, groundwater protection is an ongoing process. Communities maintain their designation by re-entering the program each year. Continuing communities submit their Annual Entry Form and ROA Plan(s) by February 15th of the following year. Annual Reports are always due by August 31st.