~Nestlé Waters employees and Madison Blue Springs State Park employees partner
with NACD and NFSA for Eco Day cleanup at Madison Blue Springs State Park~
Tallahassee, Fla. (March 12, 2012)- Nestlé Waters in Florida, the National Association for Cave Diving, and the North Florida Springs Alliance are joining forces to celebrate National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 11–17, 2012), culminating in the second annual “Eco Day.” This is one of the many efforts Nestlé Waters is honored to participate in throughout the year as an important partner of the business and environmental community.
Eco Day will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 17, 2012 at Madison Blue Springs State Park. Participants will repair and install park equipment and clear away excess vegetation and debris.
“Clean groundwater is essential to the well-being of the environment. We depend on it for our food production and to maintain our personal health,” said Kent Koptiuch, natural resource manager for Nestlé Waters. “It is vital to always remember the importance of a healthy water supply; water used in irrigation of our food products is just as important as water that comes out of the tap.”
While many residents receiving water through a public system don’t readily identify with groundwater safety concerns, everyone’s quality of life is affected by the groundwater supply. A quality water supply is especially important to people who are vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water.
Groundwater contamination can result in health problems such as gastrointestinal illnesses, neurological, and reproductive problems. People undergoing chemotherapy or living with HIV/AIDS, transplant patients, children, infants, the frail, the elderly, and pregnant women and their fetuses can be particularly at risk for infections.
Five key points Floridians need to remember about their public water supply:
Conduct routine inspections on septic systems and keep up with regular maintenance to ensure proper waste treatment and to prevent contaminants from leaching into the groundwater.
Reduce paved areas such as walkways to decrease harmful runoff and allow rain to soak into soil.
Avoid the use of toxic chemicals and substances that could potentially flow into groundwater, i.e. pesticides and fertilizers. Do not pour toxic chemicals down household drains.
Test your water whenever a “boil water alert” has been issued or there is a change in the taste, odor or appearance.
Boil contaminated water for at least one minute to kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. This is the best method to ensure the water is safe to drink.
Five key points Floridians need to remember about their private well water supply:
Hire a certified or licensed water well contractor annually to test your water.
Do not drink or wash from a well that has been flooded without first having it inspected for sanitary integrity
Avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels and other pollutants near your well.
Never dispose of harsh chemicals, solvents, petroleum products or pesticides in a septic system or dry well.
If you intend to leave your well unused, fully seal the well until a licensed well contractor correctly abandons it.
About Nestlé Waters North America
Central to the leadership of Nestlé Waters North America is its 35-year history and focus on producing healthy bottled water products. The company’s dedication to product quality, manufacturing expertise, efficient production, employee development and environmental stewardship, especially in the areas of water use, energy and packaging, has helped Nestlé Waters become the top bottled water company in the nation. Nestlé Waters sources water from approximately 50 spring sites for its six spring water brands. Their 10 full-time Natural Resource Managers, trained hydrologists, geologists and engineers monitor the spring sources and manage them for long-term sustainability.
About National Ground Water Association
The National Ground Water Association is a membership organization representing more than 14,000 groundwater professionals in the United States and abroad. NGWA provides members, government and the general public with the scientific knowledge and economic guidance necessary to responsibly develop, protect, and manage the world’s groundwater resources. The National Ground Water Association is committed to serving the community and providing groundwater awareness and protection. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org.
About National Association for Cave Diving
The National Association for Cave Diving was established in 1969 for the purpose of achieving safer cave diving through training and education. For more information, visit www.safecavediving.org.
About North Florida Springs Alliance
The North Florida Springs Alliance is a citizen support organization for Peacock and Troy Springs State Park. For more information, visit northfloridaspringsalliance.org.
