September 27 marks World Rivers Day and also kicks off Source Water Protection Week, September 27–October 3. Together, these observances are a reminder of an important connection: protecting the water we depend on begins long before it reaches the tap.

World Rivers Day is celebrated each year to raise awareness of the importance of rivers and encourage their stewardship, while Source Water Protection Week focuses on protecting the rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater that serve as sources of drinking water.

Here in the Coachella Valley, that connection is especially important. Nearly all of the Valley’s drinking water comes from our groundwater basin, or aquifer. The Colorado River is also an important part of our regional water supply, providing water for agriculture, some golf courses and groundwater replenishment. Imported Colorado River water—and State Water Project water exchanged for Colorado River water—is used to help replenish the aquifer that supports our communities.

Protecting these water sources is a shared responsibility. Everyday activities on the land can affect groundwater and surface water, which is why small actions can make a difference.

Residents can help protect water sources by:

  • Properly disposing of motor oil, paint, household chemicals and other hazardous materials rather than pouring them onto the ground or into storm drains.
  • Using fertilizers and pesticides only as needed and according to label directions.
  • Properly disposing of unwanted medications rather than flushing them down the toilet or pouring them down the drain.
  • Keeping litter and other pollutants out of streets, storm drains and waterways.
  • Learning more about where local drinking water comes from and how it is protected.

These everyday practices can help prevent contaminants from reaching groundwater, rivers, streams and other water sources.

World Rivers Day and Source Water Protection Week provide an opportunity to think about water beyond the faucet. Whether it begins in a river hundreds of miles away or beneath our feet in our aquifer, protecting water at its source helps safeguard this essential resource for our communities today and for generations to come.

To learn more about the Coachella Valley’s water sources, visit CVWaterCounts.com/learn.