Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/705618
Protecting groundwater protects your livelihood. Urge your customers to ACT by: Acknowledging causes of preventable groundwater contamination such as improper disposal of hazardous household substances, malfunctioning septic systems, and improperly abandoned wells Considering which may apply to them Taking action to prevent or correct any contamination they can. The Groundwater NGWA Association SM Learn more at NGWA.org/PYGWD or call 800 551.7379 or 614 898.7791. While corrosive water does not rep- resent a direct health risk to humans and animals in and of itself, the presence of lead-leaching components in a well system or household plumbing is a concern, especially in older houses and well systems. Two factors affect how much lead may be leaching into your drinking water: • The length of time water is in contact with lead before being used • The corrosiveness of the water (due to either high pH or low pH). Based on these two measures, parts of the United States may have residen- tial water well systems yielding poten- tially corrosive groundwater, according to the USGS. Its research suggests if private well users are not aware their source water is corrosive, are not treat- ing for it, and have lead-content pipes, plumbing fittings, or well system com- ponents, they may be at risk for having lead in their drinking water. NGWA has been working proactively on this subject. • A campaign to encourage well own- ers to get their water well systems and household plumbing inspected has been launched on WellOwner .org, NGWA's online resource for private well owners, and will also be a focal component of the Associa- tion's social media messaging. • Thanks to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, NGWA released an online education session to further explain its concern and encourage water well system and household plumbing inspections as part of its public awareness effort. • A lead-related best suggested practice for water well system professionals was released by NGWA at www.NGWA .org/Professional-Resources/BSP. • The Association has also prepared an information brief on the topic for residential well owners, the media, and other interested parties at www .NGWA.org/Media-Center/Briefs. The Association urges residential water well users in regions where corro- sive water levels have been detected to call upon a water well system profes- sional to audit your water system for any components that may have lead content. Finalized Occupational Injury Rule Goes into Effect T he Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued its final rule to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses—which goes into effect on August 10.These new federal require- ments state: • Employers must establish a "reason- able" procedure for employees to report work-related injuries and illnesses, and inform employees of that procedure. The rule states: "A procedure is not reasonable if it would deter or discourage a reason- able employee from accurately reporting a workplace injury or illness." • Employers must inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retali- ation. OSHA has issued a Fact Sheet stating this obligation may be met by posting an "OSHA Job Safety and Health—It's The Law" poster from April 2015 or later. • The rule also adds a provision pro- hibiting discrimination against an employee for reporting a work-re- NEWS from page 10 waterwelljournal.com 12 August 2016 WWJ