Mississippi DOT urges precautions to protect groundwater during awareness week

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said groundwater supplies drinking water for 51% of the U.S. population and 99% of the rural population and warned that stormwater can affect groundwater quality.

In a social media post marking National Groundwater Awareness Week, the department defined stormwater as what flows over hard surfaces such as roads, parking lots and roofs when it rains, snows or sleets, and said that pollution can begin on private property and affect downstream communities.

The department urged residents to take preventive steps, including testing private wells annually, maintaining septic systems regularly, properly sealing unused wells, disposing of chemicals responsibly, placing trash in proper receptacles and using pesticides and fertilizers sparingly, especially if they are not eco-friendly.

Mississippi DOT added that once groundwater is polluted it can be difficult and costly to clean up, and encouraged collective action to keep groundwater clean and safe.

Source: Original Article