Groundwater Awareness Week 2024 Toolkit Mar 4, 2024 Member Tools ACWA encourages member agencies to participate in National Groundwater Awareness Week March 10-16 to raise the public’s awareness of groundwater as a vital resource. The event, established by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) in 1999, provides a weeklong opportunity for water agencies to highlight the tremendous work taking place throughout California to manage groundwater sustainability. Suggested outreach tactics include: Share educational materials that explain groundwater basics and information about what your agency does to manage the local groundwater supply. Explain how your agency’s groundwater management efforts are connected to larger climate resiliency goals. Submit opinion pieces, press releases or blog articles about your agency’s groundwater management efforts. Promote career opportunities at your agency related to groundwater management. Resources/Toolkit Items NGWA has created National Groundwater Awareness Week logos and graphics. ACWA’s policy document, “A Technical Framework for Increasing Groundwater Replenishment.” ACWA’s “California H2O: Flowing for the Future” video highlighting member agencies’ role in replenishing groundwater. There are three versions available at 30 seconds 90 seconds and 5 and one-half minutes. Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Groundwater 101 Video, “Groundwater: California’s Vital Resource” available in English, Spanish, Punjabi and Hmong. DWR’s webpage: Groundwater: Understanding and Managing this Vital Resource Sample Social Media Posts The following sample social media posts can be customized to your agency with links to resources listed above or to information about groundwater on your agency’s website. To help ensure the issue trends across social media channels, use the hashtags #GWAW, #cawater, #groundwater, #cagroundwater and #sgma. Did you know that Groundwater contributes up to 60 percent of the statewide annual supply during dry years? That makes it an important resource for all Californians. Learn more this week during National Groundwater Awareness Week. It’s National Groundwater Awareness Week! Find out more about [INSERT AGENCY NAME]’s groundwater management efforts and how they benefit our community. About 83% of Californians depend on groundwater for some portion of their water supply. Learn more this week during National Groundwater Awareness Week. Groundwater is a major part of our local water supply. Learn more about [INSERT AGENCY NAME]’s efforts to manage and protect this resource for the local community. Background Groundwater Awareness Week is an annual observance established in 1999 to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. It is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance, and the promotion of policies impacting groundwater quality and supply. Groundwater advocates across the country also use the week to highlight local water issues in their communities. Questions For more information, visit the NGWA website or contact ACWA Director of Communications Heather Engel at (916) 669-2387.
