WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS &
WYOMING NATURAL RESOURCE FOUNDATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 12, 2014
Contact Bobbie Frank, WY Association of Conservation Districts Executive Director, at
bobbie.frank@conservewy.com or 307-632-5716
National Groundwater Awareness Week highlights
groundwater safety
Wyo. Association of Conservation Districts and Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation
urge well owners to learn about the importance of groundwater safety, maintenance
CHEYENNE – Whether for drinking, irrigation, industry or as part of a healthy ecosystem,
groundwater is a vital natural resource affecting all walks of life. The Wyoming Association of
Conservation Districts (WACD) and Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation (WNRF) ask
Wyomingites to join in recognizing National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 9-15.
“Wyoming’s families, businesses and ecosystems are dependent on healthy groundwater
supplies,” WACD Executive Director Bobbie Frank said. “We encourage everyone to join us in
learning about proper stewardship of this precious resource and to take action to ensure its
abundance.”
Groundwater is a renewable natural resource that comes from precipitation that soaks into the
soil and moves downward to fill openings in beds of rock and sand. These geologic formations
that contain groundwater are called aquifers.
In many areas of Wyoming, surface water is fully appropriated and residents are relying more
and more on groundwater.
“Groundwater appropriations have steadily increased over the years. Increased development
places a greater demand on the state’s groundwater resources and requires a more comprehensive
view when acting as stewards of Wyoming’s water,” Lisa Lindemann, Ground Water
Administrator, Wyo. State Engineer’s Office, said.
More than 75 percent of Wyoming citizens depend on groundwater for part or all of their
drinking water supply. Nationwide, groundwater supplies nearly half of all drinking water and 40
percent of irrigation water, according to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).
It is the sole responsibility of well owners to test, protect and maintain private drinking water
wells. Well owners should be aware of potential groundwater contaminants, their health risks
and how to test for them.
According to the Wyo. Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division
(WDEQ/WQD), the most common contaminants are nitrates, bacteria, arsenic and uranium.
Consuming polluted groundwater poses serious health risks for anyone, but is especially harmful
to infants, young children, pregnant or nursing women, the elderly and people with compromised
immune systems.
Testing groundwater can help ensure its safety. The Water Quality Rules & Regulations Chapter 23A
provides a complete list of common contaminants for which to test, but the WDEQ/WQD recommends
at least annual testing for bacteria. Well owners should also test when there is an unexplained
illness in the household, someone in the household is pregnant or nursing, there is a spill of
chemicals or fuels near a well, neighbors find a contaminant in their water or if there are changes
in the color, taste, or odor of water. There are several water quality laboratories located around
Wyoming and in adjacent states. These laboratories can explain to homeowners how to collect
water samples and what constituents to analyze for.
For proper well maintenance, the NGWA also recommends keeping a “clean” zone of at least 50
feet between wells and hazardous materials. Regularly check the well cover or cap to ensure it is
in good repair and securely attached. Well owners should also have their septic tank cleaned and
serviced every two years to eliminate the opportunity for waste backing up and unwanted
materials leaching into the soil. This will affect the operation and life of the system and
leachfield.
While there is no government agency that regulates water quality from private drinking wells in
Wyoming, homeowners can get information about groundwater safety from the following
sources:
• A local Conservation District. Visit www.conservewy.com for local contact information.
• The Wyoming State Engineer's Office at 307-777-6163.
• The Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division at 307-777-7781.
To learn more about groundwater and how to keep your drinking water supply safe, visit
www.conservewy.com, www.ngwa.org and www.knowyourwell.org.
About The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts
and Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation
The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) provides leadership for the
conservation of Wyoming's soil, water and all other natural resources. WACD works to preserve
and enhance wildlife habitat, protect the tax base and promote the health, safety and general
welfare of Wyoming citizens through a responsible conservation ethic. The Wyoming Natural
Resource Foundation (WNRF) is dedicated to conserving Wyoming's natural resources, heritage
and culture. A sister organization to WACD, WNRF has established partnerships with many
local, state and federal agencies, as well as private and volunteer organizations to serve as a
strong foundation for all future efforts initiated by WACD and WNRF. Call 307-632-5716 or
visit www.conservewy.com to learn more.
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