A call to protect public health and the environment
The Ground Water Protection Council encourages every person to protect public health and the health of the environment by protecting groundwater, beginning on Protect Your Groundwater Day, September 8.
In the United States, 39.4 percent of the population regularly depends on groundwater, and 38.5 million Americans rely on privately owned and operated household water wells for their drinking water supply. Another 87.1 million residents rely on groundwater-supplied community water systems.
For household water well owners, managing the well system and one’s property can make a difference in water quality. People who do not use household wells also can make a difference in groundwater quality—for instance, by how they store, use, and dispose of hazardous household substances, or how well they maintain their septic systems.
Additionally, with drought gripping parts of the United States, protecting groundwater through conservation is more important than ever.
Well Explosion Could Put Pressure on Texas Regulators
(The Texas Tribune)
While filling a cattle trough 15 months ago, Ashley Murray noticed something odd occurring in the shack housing her family’s water pump. High-pressure water was spraying everywhere. She switched off the pump, went into the house and asked her husband to take a look. So out walked Cody Murray with his father Jim.
Ashley stood holding the couple’s four-year-old daughter just outside the wood-and-stone pump house. As Jim Murray flipped on the pump, it let out a “woosh.” Cody, a former oilfield worker, knew the sound signaled danger. He threw his dad backwards — just before a fireball shot from the wellhead and transformed the Murrays’ 160-acre Palo Pinto County ranch into an emergency scene. Full Story
Trustees: Groundwater Pollution Part of PCB Damage to Hudson
(The Washington Times)
Government trustees assessing harm to the Hudson River from long-term PCB releases highlighted concerns over groundwater contamination in three upriver towns as the massive dredging project nears its end.
The report Thursday from the Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees is part of their broader effort to measure damage to the river’s ecology from the release of polychlorinated biphenyls from two upriver General Electric plants in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls before 1977. The trustees say previously identified groundwater contamination in Fort Edward, Hudson Falls and Stillwater should be included in the assessment. Full Story
Federal News
OSMRE Holds Public Hearings For Proposed Stream Protection Rule
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) held two public hearings this week to allow stakeholders an opportunity to give feedback on the proposed Stream Protection rule.
According to OSMRE, the proposed rule for regulation of coal mining takes advantage of new advances in science, and would improve the balance between environmental protection and providing for the Nation’s need for coal as a source of energy. In addition, the rule would better protect streams, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values from the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations and provide mine operators with a regulatory framework to avoid water pollution and the long-term costs associated with water treatment.
This week's hearings are the first of six to be held in various cities across the country. For a complete listing of hearing dates and locations, visit the OSMRE Web site.
Reminder: ACWI Public Listening Session on National Action Plan Next Week
The Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation Workgroup is holding a webinar to provide early input on updating priorities for collaborative efforts to manage freshwater resources in a changing climate on Sept. 9, 2015 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The workgroup comprises over a dozen federal agencies interested in the management of the nation’s water resources.
Audio Conference Number(s): 1-866-299-3188, code 202-564-0734# [automatically connected when signing into the webinar]
In Memory
Remembering GWPC Member Steven Michael King
GWPC member Steven Michael King died unexpectedly in his home on Aug. 18, 2015, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 55.
Those wishing to help his family during this difficult time can send messages and donations to the Steve King Memorial Fund.
GWPC Staff Profile
Dan Yates
Associate Executive Director
Dan is the initial contact person for all GWPC Board and Committee related communications. He is the lead staff in developing grants, developing and overseeing project management plans, and overseeing reporting on grant related projects. Dan is also the staff lead on source water related issues.
Upcoming Events
GWPC Annual Forum
Oklahoma City, OK
September 27th-30th, 2015
Hotel information:
Courtyard by Marriott-Bricktown
