This week, CFPUA recognizes National Groundwater Awareness Week (#GWAW2018), an annual observance established by the National Ground Water Association to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of water. Established in 1999, National Groundwater Awareness Week provides an opportunity for people to learn about the importance of groundwater and how the resource impacts lives.
During the week of March 11-17, 2018, CFPUA celebrates the Michael Richardson Nanofiltration Plant in northern New Hanover County. The plant treats groundwater using nanofiltration (membrane) technology for softening, total organic carbon removal, and esthetics.
The facility provides potable water to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority water distribution system and serves roughly 29,000 residents. The plant’s raw water source is a 24 well system that withdraws approximately 70 percent of water from the PeeDee Aquifer and 30 percent from the Castle Hayne Aquifer, balancing CFPUA’s water supply.
“Approximately 132 million people rely on groundwater for drinking water, so, simply put, the resource makes life possible,” said Aaron Martin, public relations and awareness manager of NGWA. “Additionally, groundwater is used for irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and several additional purposes, making it one of the most widely used and valuable natural resources we have.”
Consider the following:
- Americans use 79.6 billion gallons of groundwater each day.
- 44 percent of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply.
- Groundwater accounts for 33 percent of all the water used by U.S. municipalities.
CFPUA and NGWA encourage every person to be a “groundwater advocate” both during National Groundwater Awareness Week and beyond by protecting and conserving groundwater.