Protecting Drinking Water Through Underground Injection Control. Drinking Water Pocket Guide No. 2

摘要

Water is our most vital resource. It is essential for life. Eighty-seven percent of the earth is covered by water. Most water fit for drinking is frozen in glaciers. The remaining fresh water is largely found below our feet in aquifers. More than 90 percent of all public drinking water systems rely on water found in aquifers to supply the population with drinking water. Aquifers also supply water for agriculture, feed our lakes, and provide recharge to our streams and rivers. In addition, millions of Americans living in rural areas rely on private wells. Protecting this resource from source to tap is essential to the health of the public and the economic health of communities.