General Information

Research

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions About Groundwater and Water Wells in Kentucky

Read more

Staff

Read more

Other KY Water Websites

Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

https://www.research.uky.edu/kentucky-water-resources-research-institute

The Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI) is part of a nationwide association of 54 federally authorized water resource institutes and centers located at land grant universities throughout the United States and its territories. The Institute has over 50 years of involvement in water resources issues and has established itself as an important link between water-related personnel at academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. KWRRI manages a wide variety of research projects, provides technical support to its stakeholders, and educates and trains the next generation of water resource experts.


USGS Ohio Indiana Kentucky Water Science Center

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/oki-water

In 2014, the Indiana and Kentucky Water Science Centers were combined into one "Integrated" Science Center.  Beginning October 2017, the Indiana-Kentucky (INKY) Water Science Center was merged with the Ohio Water Science Center to become one "Integrated" Science Center. We are a combined center of more than 160 scientists, IT, laboratory, and administrative staff.

Nationally, we provide information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. Our goal is to optimize our local capabilities in those technical program areas that are of highest priority to our partners, which are primarily water resources.


Kentucky Well Education (UK College of Ag, Food, and Env)

https://water.ca.uky.edu/downwell

The Kentucky Well Education Website is intended to provide useful water well information to well owners throughout Kentucky. This website covers water well regulations, construction, maintenance [sic] and has down-well videos along with images pertaining to well issues encountered by well owners throughout the Commonwealth.


Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner (USGS)

https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gw_ruralhomeowner/

"As the salesmen sang in the musical The Music Man, "You gotta know the territory." This saying is also true when planning to buy or build a house. Learn as much as possible about the land, the water supply, and the septic system of the house before buying or building. Do not just look at the construction aspects or the beauty of the home and surroundings. Be sure to consider the environmental conditions around and beneath the site as well. Try to visit the site under adverse conditions, such as during heavy rain or meltwater runoff, to observe the drainage characteristics, particularly the condition of the basement.

Many of the conditions discussed in this book, such as lowered well-water levels, flooded basements, and contamination from septic systems, are so common that rural families often have to deal with one or more of them. The purpose of this book is to awaken an interest in ground water and an awareness of where it is available, how it moves, how people can adjust to its patterns to avoid problems, and how it can be protected and used wisely.

This booklet provides both present and prospective rural homeowners, particularly those in the glaciated northern parts of the United States, with a basic but comprehensive description of ground water. It also presents problems one may expect to encounter with ground water and some solutions or suggestions for help with these problems.

See also: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/groundwater-wells?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects


Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW)

https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/Pages/default.aspx

The mission of the Division of Water is to manage, protect and enhance the quality and quantity of the Commonwealth's water resources for present and future generations through voluntary, regulatory and educational programs.


KY Infrastructure Authority logo
Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA)

https://kia.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), under the Office of the Governor and administratively attached to the Department for Local Government (DLG), provides financial help in the way of grant and loan assistance to communities for water and wastewater needs.


KRWA Kentucky Rural Water Association
Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA)

http://www.krwa.org/

Kentucky Rural Water member utilities guarantee an enhanced quality of life for nearly ninety-five percent (95%) of the public drinking water and wastewater customers across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, making KRWA the largest utility organization of the state.  KRWA was established in 1979 as a private, non-profit organization by a core group of utility leaders who shared the vision of building a self-governed, member driven association.  Their original goal – to foster professionalism in our industry through non-regulatory training, technical assistance programs, and advocacy – continues to this day.”  Produced by the Kentucky Rural Water Association


Image result for epa logo
US EPA Office of Water (EPA)

The Office of Water (OW) ensures drinking water is safe, and restores and maintains oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants and wildlife.

OW is responsible for implementing the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, and portions of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Ocean Dumping Ban Act, Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Shore Protection Act, Marine Plastics Pollution Research and Control Act, London Dumping Convention, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and several other statutes.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Office of Water works with the ten EPA regional offices, other federal agencies, state and local governments, American Indian tribes, the regulated community, organized professional and interest groups, land owners and managers, and the public-at-large. OW provides guidance, specifies scientific methods and data collection requirements, performs oversight and facilitates communication among those involved. OW helps the states and American Indian tribes to build capacity, and water programs can be delegated to them for implementation.


National Groundwater Association (NGWA)

https://www.ngwa.org/

NGWA is a community of groundwater professionals working together to advance groundwater knowledge and the success of our members through education and outreach; advocacy; cooperation and information exchange; and enhancement of professional practices.

Last Modified on 2023-01-05
Back to Top