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Tertiary Menu
Wellhead Protection Program
What is Groundwater?
Groundwater is water below the surface that feeds wells and
springs and maintains the level of rivers and lakes in dry weather.
Groundwater domes from rain and snow that soaks into the ground and
is filtered down under the surface. Groundwater can be brought
to the surface using a pump or a well. Once pumped, the
groundwater can be used for drinking or irrigating crops. If
chemicals and pollutants are dumped on the ground they can get into
the groundwater and make it unsafe to drink. The could also
kill the plants and animals that might use the water.
Mission Statement
Independence Township is dedicated to the preservation and
protection of water quality. In order to prevent groundwater
pollution, Independence Township has developed a joint wellhead
protection program with neighboring communities along with County
and State Agencies. This program is developed to protect
drinking water in identified protection areas through cooperative
management strategies and public education. The Wellhead
Protection Program has prompted review of procedures that control
activities that could affect groundwater quality by:
- Educating the public through workshops and other
opportunities;
- Land use plan review;
- Enforcement of government regulations which are protective
of groundwater.
Facts
- About 90% of the U.S. freshwater supply is groundwater.
- 80 billion gallons of groundwater accounts for 20% of the
total water usage in the U.S.
- 53% of Americans get their water from groundwater:
- 37% of which are dependence on public water systems
(more than 283,000 wells)
- The other 16% are from more than 15.1 million private
household wells
Sources:
http://www.ngwa.org
http://www.usgs.gov
What You Can Do
- Always recycle household chemicals like gasoline, motor oil,
kerosene, insecticides, poisons, and paint.
- Never flush chemicals down the toilet.
- Never dump chemical onto the ground
For safe disposal of household chemicals, contact:
Independence Township Public Works Department
(248)625-8222
For more information, contact
Independence Township Wellhead Protection Program
6050 Flemings Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346
(248)625-8222
Independence Township Signature
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