2011 Ground Water Awareness Week
BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal has proclaimed the week of March 6 through March 12 as Ground Water Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana.
The awareness week is being sponsored by the Louisiana Ground Water Resources Commission and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation in conjunction with the National Ground Water Association. The week is recognized nationally and is promoted by the National Ground Water Association, which stresses the importance of yearly water testing and well maintenance.
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle, who serves as chairman of the state Ground Water Resources Commission said, “Though the Ground Water Resource Commission and our Office of Conservation have the official duty of managing our state’s ground water, it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to do our part to ensure we use water wisely. One critical audience for that message to be imparted is our future generations – our children.”
To commemorate 2011 Ground Water Awareness Week, DNR has compiled a vast array of resources for teachers to use in planning ground water conservation lesson plans. A link to the “Teacher’s Portal to Ground Water Lesson Plans” can be found on the DNR homepage.
Angelle has been promoting education in the classroom on the topic of water conservation for several years. The department produced and distributed a free water video for science teachers in 2008. Angelle and members of his staff have also worked with schools, 4-H youth, YMCAs, and other student groups to bring home the importance of ground water in our state and the need to conserve.
DNR also works with the LSU Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Service to help promote water conservation tips for families through its seven regional offices and parish offices across the state.
The average household spends as much as $500 per year on its water and sewer bill. By being more aware of water usage and by making a few adjustments (like installing water-efficient appliances or retrofitting water fixtures) a family could save about $170 per year, according to federal Environmental Protection Agency figures. In today’s lifestyle and economy, more and more Americans are finding ways to save, and the fact is that saving water can save energy and save money, too.
In Louisiana, ground water is found in eleven aquifers and water is withdrawn for use by the public, industry, power generation, farming, and farming purposes The commission is working on ways to manage the problems and find ways for industry to support best management practices.
“We use about 1.6 billion gallons of ground water every day in Louisiana, so there is no question that protecting that natural resource is critical,” Angelle said. “One thing in our favor in protecting our ground water is that conservation is something everyone can do. We want to make sure all citizens of the state, young and old, know they can help.”
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