History

First Groundwater Protection Rule in America

“There shall be no man or woman dare to wash any unclean linen,…nor rinse or make clean any kettle, pot or pan,…within twenty feet of the well¹.”

The year was 1610. This was about 400 years ago! The rule was made by the Military Governor at Jamestown where early settlers had set up a military fort. Their rule was made because of the need to protect the quality of the well water. We knew all those years ago that the best way to protect drinking water is to keep contamination away from the well. The same is just as true today as it was then.

¹Copyright 2003 American Ground Water Trust