Why Protection?

California is highly depended on groundwater for state water supply and agriculture.  Additionally, groundwater replenishes streams, creeks, rivers, and wetlands that support wildlife. We only care about visible things, that’s why no one gives that much attention to groundwater getting contaminated or getting dry. Excessive use of groundwater is replenishing natural aquifers, results in saltwater intrusion and cause the land to collapse.

In California, mining or oil and gas companies are allowed to dump waste in drinking water legally.

It is very important to manage groundwater quality and quantity for our future water supply needs. Changes in climates and droughts are highlighting the threats of depleting groundwater.  

Amount of Uranium is only rising in California’s Central Valley and in Southwest. Other chemicals like toluene, a gasoline additive, show no detectable increase or decrease. Also, a high concentration of nitrates in water cause serious health problems in adults in the long run and can even kill infants.

Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures.

Lead has different effects on the children and adults: heart problems are common in both, low IQ level and slow growth in children, reproductive functions and kidney problems in adults.

Additionally, when farmers use pesticides to increase crop production, these chemicals go into groundwater with help of rainwater in the process of restoration. When iunderground water loses contact with surface then the rivers in that area will get dry out.