Established in 1991, the Ground Water Institute's mission:  engages in applied research excellence, education, and leadership toward sustaining community ground water resources.

To fulfill its mission, GWI houses expertise on ground water issues and conducts research related to the Mississippi embayment aquifer system that underlies nine states in the mid-south region.

The Ground Water Institute

• is committed to being a neutral voice in evaluating ground water issues in the Mid-South region.  It is an independent and central source of information.
• evaluates the quantity, quality, reliability, and sustainability of all aspects of ground water resource assessment, management, and development.
• provides technical support to local governments and the Shelby County Ground Water Quality Control Board through specialized studies and investigations.
• shares its research with other local water utilities, government agencies, academic community as well as the public.

GWI is a central source of information, providing technical support to local governments (Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Memphis and Millington), Memphis Light Gas & Water (MLGW) and the Shelby County Ground Water Control Board through specialized studies and investigations.