Ground Water Protection Steering Committee

Ground water is such a part of our lives that we often take it for granted--it is "out of sight, out of mind." Yet in Virginia, we use almost 50 billion gallons of ground water each year. 1990 Census data indicates:

• Thirty-eight of Virginia's 95 counties are completely dependent on ground water for public water supplies. Fifty-five counties draw half or more of their public water supplies from ground water.
• Of Virginia's 2,500 public water supply systems, 2,300 use ground water. Many of these systems are small and remote from any surface water supply reservoirs and have no alternative to ground water.
• In 60 of the state's counties, the majority of households obtain water from their own private wells.
• In 52 of the state's counties, wells are growing in importance -- the increase in the number of households served by private wells being greater than the number added to public systems.
• The typical ground water user household is a family of 2 to 4 members.
• Of the half-million households using individual wells, 92 percent also use septic tanks -- a combination that can bring problems unless both are designed and operated properly.
• Thirty-one percent of private well users report that they are on lots of 1 acre or smaller.
• Thirty-five percent of those with wells use fuel oil as their source of heat, presenting another potential threat to the household's water supply.
• Heaviest reliance on individual wells is outside the state's urban centers in rural non-farm areas, where new growth frequently takes place beyond the foreseeable reach of public water or sewer lines.
• Eighty-three percent of those using individual wells own their homes, and more than half are still paying their mortgage. Keeping the water supply clean is essential to protecting these families' property values.
• Replacing a well that has become contaminated is expensive, and many home using wells are of modest means. Thirty-six percent of houses using wells cost $50,000 or less in 1990; 70 percent cost $50,000 to $100,000.
• Industry, too, relies on clean ground water for production of food, paper, and polymers--leaders include Burlington Industries, Coors Brewing Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Holly Farms, Perdue Farms, and Virginia Power.

As the state's population grows, ground water will become an increasingly important resource. It is crucial that this resource be managed carefully. We must keep ground water in mind as we make public as well as private decisions. The GWPSC hopes that this website will help us all to remember these important points.

The GWPSC meets every other month in Richmond and our meetings are open to the public. You are encouraged to attend. To find out about our schedule of meetings see the announcements / news section of this website.