Tillery: A Groundwater Guardian Community


 The Tillery community was one of only eight communities in North America participating in the Groundwater Guardian Program in 1994. This pilot program is a community education and recognition program of the Groundwater Foundation, a private, non-profit educational organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is designed to empower local citizens and communities to take voluntary steps toward protecting their groundwater. Groundwater is an especially relevant issue in Tillery because of the large number of corporate hog farms and shallow wells in the area.

Drinking Water in Tillery

The Tillery area is a rural community comprised of about six smaller communities with a combined population of 3,000 residents and an area of 1,700 square miles. 98% of the Tillery population relies on groundwater for their drinking water supply. This water is provided by 1700 wells across the town.

Problems with Tillery's Drinking Water

Continual influx of hog farms is causing an increasing concern for water quality due to lagoon leaks.


Wells have shown high lead and nitrate levels.


Agriculture run-off poses a threat because Tillery is a farming community.


Shallow and poorly constructed wells are more susceptible to contamination.


How CCT Addresses These Issues

Combine efforts with the local school system to develop in our children an awareness and understanding of the importance of groundwater.


Provide public forums for the community to discuss and strategize ways to protect water quality.


Aid in the implementation of regulatory measures needed to safeguard water quality.


Urge the county to extend water lines to rural areas.