Groundwater pollution is a very serious problem. Unlike a lot of the pollution on the surface waters, like trash floating in the bay, groundwater pollution is harder to recognize until after illness has occurred.

Groundwater, which is the water that remains under the ground and is tapped into to provide drinking water for homes is generally polluted by the activities that occur just above it.

People are the number one cause of groundwater pollution. Having water samples tested regularly is the only way to be sure that the groundwater is not contaminated.

Unfortunately, there are a multitude of potential groundwater pollutants that can seriously contaminate drinking water. Most groundwater pollution happens because of improper disposal, use, or storage of chemicals, pesticides, or substances like car engine oil.

Deicing salts that are used for clearing driveways and pathways can contaminate groundwater. Landfills have been known to cause toxic runoff that infiltrates the groundwater supply and underground tanks for storing gasoline and diesel for petrol stations can develop minor leaks and seep into the ground.

A groundwater supply that is directly over a plot filled with animals, such as a farm environment, can be contaminated with the bacteria from animal waste. The chronic use of chemically based pollutants such as weed killer, insecticides, and antifreeze puts many home groundwater supplies at risk for contamination.

Groundwater pollution

Because there are so many variables that can lead to groundwater pollution it is vital that the state of groundwater health be tested regularly.

Different causes of groundwater pollution have different warning signs. Sometimes these warning signs can be found in the water itself while other times it takes awareness of one’s surroundings to notice a problem. Being aware of potential dangers can help determine a problem should one develop.

When buying or leasing a new property, residents should become familiar with the hazards that are nearby. Is there a landfill in the area or a gas station across the street? Does the property have a septic system? This type of information can help residents keep themselves safe from exposure to pollution that can enter groundwater.

Septic systems, residential use of pesticides or automobile chemicals, and the use of deicing salts are the three most common in home causes of groundwater pollution. If deicing salts were to seep into the groundwater supply the water’s taste would become suspiciously salty. It takes a home test to determine high levels of chloride in the water itself to confirm the suspicions.

Most pesticides and other home use chemicals are either not readily detected in the water or will cause sudden illness in everything that the water is used to sustain. When plant life that is watered with pesticide polluted groundwater the plants tend to become ill and die. Animals that drink from the polluted water also become ill and may die.

If there is a stream or other small body of water on the property or nearby it is likely that the groundwater contamination has leached into the surface water and is killing the aquatic plants, fish, and other dependant animals.

While it usually takes a significant amount of chemical residue create such health hazards, over time some chemicals can accumulate and the property can have much more chemical based contaminants than originally thought.

Septic system pollution usually shows signs of septic system failure elsewhere. Residents are likely to find that the septic system has backed up and is creating a raw sewage flood somewhere in the yard or the surrounding property.

In most cases groundwater tests are needed to determine the level of bacteria that infiltrated the groundwater. In very rare cases the water might appear to be off color or contain an unwelcome aroma.

Prevention of Groundwater Pollution

Groundwater pollution can not be completely prevented. However, there are a number of steps that residents can take in order to help ensure that their risks are minimized and that their home environment is not likely to cause any potential contamination.

For instance, instead of using deicing salts residents can choose to use sand or kitty litter which won’t leach into the ground. Proper storage of potential contaminants like pesticides, weed killer, and automotive chemicals is imperative. Minimal use of these items is recommended and protective ground cover where appropriate can help eliminate the risk of soil absorption.

Preventing groundwater contamination from a septic system start with the proper installation. Since most residents inherit their septic systems with their property current and regular inspections are required. If the septic system accepts waste from a garbage disposal the inspection should happen every year.

Otherwise, every other year should be sufficient. Residents should be careful about what they put into their septic system. Chemical additives and household chemicals can cause damage to the septic system and result in groundwater pollution.