H2Olympia facts for kids
H2Olympia is a special group in Olympia, Washington, that works to protect public access to a natural water source called an artesian well. An artesian well is a place where water flows up from deep underground without needing a pump. This group is officially known as "H2Olympia: Artesian Well Advocates." They changed their name in July 2009 from "H2Oly: Artesian Well Advocates." Their main goal is to make sure people can always get fresh, clean water from this unique underground system.
The artesian water in Olympia became famous because of the "Olympia Brewing Company." They used the slogan "It's the Water" on their beer cans and in their advertisements. This phrase helped people recognize the special quality of Olympia's water.
The Jefferson Street Well: A Community Water Source
The main artesian well that people can visit today is located at a spot called Artesian Commons. You can find it in Olympia at the corner of Jefferson Street and 4th Avenue. This well is open to the public thanks to an agreement between a few important groups: the Thurston County Public Utility District (PUD), the City of Olympia, and the company that owns the land, Diamond Parking.
Keeping the Water Safe to Drink
Under this agreement, the PUD is responsible for regularly testing the well water. They make sure the water is safe and meets all the rules for drinking water. The City of Olympia pays for these important tests. This agreement is a good step, but it's only a temporary solution. The land where the well is located is currently for sale, which means the future of public access could change.
How the Community Fought for Water Access
Before the current agreement, another group called "Friends of Artesians" paid for the water testing. They also tried to find a lasting solution for public access to the well. However, they weren't able to achieve their goal and eventually stopped their work. They even wrote an open letter to the City Council and the Mayor, which was shared in a local newspaper.
When "Friends of Artesians" disbanded, there was no one paying for the water tests anymore. This meant that the public might lose access to the well. Because of this, a new group of citizens formed. They called themselves "It's Still the Water." This group worked hard to make sure the public could keep using the well. Their efforts helped lead to the agreement that is in place today.
The members of "It's Still the Water" soon realized that to achieve a permanent solution for the artesian well, they needed to become a formal non-profit organization. This is how "H2Olympia: Artesian Well Advocates" was formed. They continue to work towards ensuring that the community will always have access to this valuable natural resource.
