What is the primary purpose of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA)?

The primary purpose of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) is to promote the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. This encompasses a wide range of activities, including education, research, and advocacy that aim to ensure sustainable practices surrounding groundwater resources. By focusing on responsible use and management, the NGWA addresses the critical issues of groundwater depletion, contamination, and the need for effective policies to protect this vital resource.

The emphasis on responsible development highlights the importance of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship. This includes best practices in groundwater extraction, understanding aquifer systems, and promoting technologies and methods that minimize negative impacts on these resources. Furthermore, through its efforts, the NGWA seeks to inform and engage stakeholders, ensuring that community needs and ecological considerations are integrated into groundwater planning and management.

While promoting responsible agriculture practices, water conservation techniques, and industry regulations are certainly important topics within the broader context of water resource management, the NGWA's specific mission is centered around groundwater, making the choice that focuses on the responsible development and management of groundwater the most accurate representation of the organization's primary purpose.