Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/557876
Promote Your Business During NGWA's Protect Your Groundwater Day It's never been easier to promote your business and the source of your livelihood—groundwater— leading up to Protect Your Ground- water Day (PYGWD) on September 8. Begin planning now. Simply go to the PYGWD webpage at www.NGWA.org/PYGWD. As you promote groundwater protection to customers and members of the public, you are showcasing yourself and your business as experts who care about their well-being. You can post or share these informational tools through your website, Facebook page, email, desktop-printed cards, presentations, or any other way you communicate with the public. Be creative, and make sure you direct people to your com- pany website, Facebook page, etc. The purpose of PYGWD is to educate members of the public about what they can do to preserve and protect ground- water to meet human and environmental needs. This is an important message—not just for household well owners who rely on privately owned and managed water wells for safe drinking water—but also for people on public water systems whose daily habits have an impact on groundwater quality and quantity. There's another reason to promote PYGWD. It highlights the importance of the groundwater industry to this country's way of life and economy. It's an opportunity to remind private well owners and many people on public water systems about who helps bring life-giving water to their taps. If you have questions about how to promote PYGWD, or to get feedback, contact NGWA Public Awareness Director Cliff Treyens at (800) 551-7379, ext. 554, or email him at ctreyens@ngwa.org. Urban Drilling Challenges to Be Focus of Groundwater Expo Panel The 2015 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting, December 15-17 in Las Vegas, will feature a panel on con- structing wells in urban environments, which combines "rou- tine" well construction concerns with an additional set of unique challenges. Movement of heavy equipment and pres- ence of utilities can make jobs especially difficult while also dealing with site preparation, water and cuttings management, filtration issues, and even pets. Three panelists will address a specific instance of working in these conditions, with each adapting a different drilling method, from 8:30-10 a.m. on December 16. Workshop atten- dees are encouraged to share the experiences they have had in urban environments. Panelists will include Denis Crayon, CHST, Roger Renner, MGWC, and David Traut, MGWC, CVCLD. To learn more, visit www.GroundwaterExpo.com. Expo Features Safe Practice Certificate Program NGWA will launch a Safe Practice in the Groundwater Industry Certificate program at the 2015 Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting. Earning the certificate will be based on attendance (in per- son or online) in classes addressing the three major loss areas in the groundwater industry: (1) slips, trips, and falls; (2) ma- terials handling; and (3) avoiding electrical hazards. Work- shops on each of these topics will be offered on December 15. These workshops will be open to any registered Expo at- tendee. Those participating may choose to attend any work- shop without earning a certificate, or they may attend all three workshops (with verified attendance). Those who wish to earn the certificate must then take a fee-based, multiple-choice exam based on the material pre- sented and score an 80% or better. This inaugural exam will be offered at the Expo following the three subject workshops. An online module set with an exam administered through NGWA's test center vendor will be available late in the first quarter of 2016. NGWA Tallies Up New Members in June NGWA added 131 new members in June. The total num- bers consisted of 59 scientists and engineers, 50 contractors, 8 manufacturers, 7 students, 5 associates, and 2 suppliers. A total of 574 members renewed their membership as well. To learn more about NGWA and how to become a member, visit www.NGWA.org/Membership. NGWA Certification Exam Stats for June and Mid-Year A total of 30 NGWA certification exams were given in June. Of those, 21 were administered for state licensing (with eight of them receiving passing scores) and nine were proctored for NGWA's Voluntary Certification Program (four passing). For the first half of the year, there were 328 exams given: 216 for state licensing (112 passing) and 112 were given for NGWA certification (63 passing). If you have questions about the NGWA certification pro- grams, contact Jessica Rhoads, NGWA certification coordina- tor, at jrhoads@ngwa.org, or call (800) 551-7379, ext. 511. If outside the United States, call (614) 898-7791, ext. 511. Secure Booth Space at 2015 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting The online booth selection database for the 2015 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting, December 15-17 in Las Vegas, is up and running for industry manufacturers and suppliers at www.GroundwaterExpo.com. With the online process, you can request your booth space, complete the exhibit application, and pay for the space with a credit card. The LOG NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION waterwelljournal.com 14 September 2015 WWJ