Merrimack Village District Water Works, Merrimack

GROUNDWATER BASICS

What is groundwater?

Many people think of groundwater as underground lakes or rivers. Groundwater, however, is simply water that is stored beneath the earth’s surface within the spaces between rocks and sand or between fractures in bedrock.

When enough water beneath the surface is present in a useable quantity, we call this an aquifer. Compared to water in rivers and streams, groundwater moves very, very slowly.

For more information about groundwater, visit the National Groundwater Foundation

Groundwater Guardian Community

For the 4th year in a row, Merrimack has been awarded official Groundwater Guardian status from the National Groundwater Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. This program recognizes communities who are dedicated and committed to local groundwater protection to ensure a safe water supply for the future of the community. Merrimack is the only town in New Hampshire awarded this status.

What Can You Do To Protect Your Drinking Water?

Without realizing it, you could be contaminating your own drinking water. Unfortunately, contaminated groundwater is very difficult and expensive to clean-up. Below are some ways to protect your drinking water. Remember Ben Franklin’s sage advice, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

DO		DON'T
Use non-toxic and less-toxic alternatives to household chemicals such as cleaners oil-based paints, insecticides.		Don’t buy more hazardous chemicals than you need.
Take leftover household chemicals to your town’s hazardous waste collection day.		Don’t dispose of hazardous chemicals by pouring them down the drain or onto the ground.
Follow package directions on pesticides, fertilizers, and other household chemicals.		Don’t overuse household chemicals. More is not better.
Check your underground fuel storage tank (USTs) frequently for leaks. Have an UST removed removed if it is more than 20 years old; replace it with an above-ground storage that has a concrete slab underneath it and a cover over it.		Don’t hire a tank removal contractor who is not familiar with new state guidelines for UST removal.
Take care of your septic system. Inspect the septic tank every year. Have the tank pumped out every three years or when the combined thickness of sludge and scum equals 1/3 or more of the tank depth. Avoid damage to your leach field and distribution lines by keeping vehicles, livestock and other heavy objects off the leach field.		Don’t use septic system cleaners or additives containing acids or chemical solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE).

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Merrimack Village District Water Works
2 Greens Pond Road
Merrimack, NH 03054
603-424-9241

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