COUNTY NAMED GROUNDWATER GUARDIAN

The Groundwater Foundation has recognized Cape Girardeau County as a Groundwater Guardian Community for the fourth consecutive year.

"We are very proud of it because it indicates we have done something to improve the quality of the water in the county," said Martha Vandivort, co-chair of the Cape Girardeau County Groundwater Guardian Committee and deputy coordinator of the county's emergency management office.

Vandivort accepted the award on behalf of the county last month at the Groundwater Foundation's fall conference in Atlanta, Ga.

Vandivort said Cape Girardeau County was recognized for its survey of public drinking wells. Survey members checked to see if there were any pollutants near the well heads such as sewage, hazardous materials and pesticides.

Members of the League of Women Voters, the county health department, the juvenile office and others participated in the voluntary survey work.

There are some 100 public wells in the county, Vandivort said. There are over 1,200 private wells.