Water Well Journal
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/643500
IGSHPA we believe we can advance wider acceptance and adoption of this tremendous technology." IGSHPA is an association of compa- nies, professionals, and users dedicated to promoting the science, utility, and use of ground source heating and cooling technology. Flint Drinking Water Triggers Action from Congress and EPA Congressional bipartisan House En- ergy and Commerce Committee leaders sent a letter on January 15 to U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency Adminis- trator Gina McCarthy requesting an urgent briefing on drinking water lead contamination in Flint, Michigan. Flint switched in April 2014 from Detroit's water supply to Flint River water that was more corrosive and was dissolving materials in Flint's distribu- tion pipes and lead service lines. The federal maximum contaminant level for lead in drinking water is 15 ppb. The highest lead level in a Flint drinking water sample was 1051 ppb. EPA established a Safe Drinking Water Task Force to provide assistance to Flint. EPA also announced it will audit Michigan's Drinking Water Program—a review of state program oversight and files to identify actions needed. President Barack Obama declared on January 16 a federal emergency in Flint, providing $5 million in federal aid to immediately obtain needed water, fil- ters, filter cartridges, and other items for residents. The situation in Flint underscores the importance of investing in drinking water infrastructure. For communities seeking new or additional drinking water sources, careful testing and evalu- ation of water quality compatibility with the construction materials and the condition of existing distribution and service lines is critical to the health of water consumers. Housing Starts Decline 2.5% in December 2015 T he U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced privately- owned housing starts in December 2015 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.15 million. This is 2.5% below the revised November estimate of 1.18 mil- lion, but is 6.4% above the December 2014 rate of 1.11 million. Housing starts are important as they can indicate possible construction of new water well systems. Single-family housing starts in De- cember were at a rate of 768,000—3.3% below the revised November figure of 794,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 365,000. An estimated 1.11 million housing units were started in 2015. This number is 10.8% above the 2014 figure of 1 mil- lion. For new residential construction data for January 2016, visit www.census.gov/ construction/nrc/index.html. California Senator Releases New Draft Drought Legislation Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Califor- nia) released a new discussion draft focused on providing short- and long- term solutions to drought conditions in California. NEWS continues on page 16 Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ March 2016 15