Idaho Ground Water Association Quarterly Newsletter Volume 56, No. 2 Idaho Ground Water Association Quarterly Newsletter Volume 63, No. 2

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a unique Federal agency in that it does not enforce

regulations, manage public lands or natural resources, or make policy recommendations: it is pure-

ly a science agency that provides “impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners,

and other customers.” This information is typically of two types: peer-reviewed interpretive studies

and basic data. USGS reports and data are available online to the public at no charge.

At its establishment in 1879, the USGS was instructed to cooperate with State and local

governments in funding water-resource studies, which had the effect of keeping the USGS focused

on topics relevant to the management of these water resources. Today, although Congress directly

funds some USGS programs, water science centers still rely on these matching funds to cooperate

with State and local governments and address important and relevant water-resource issues. The

USGS also performs water-resource studies for other Federal agencies and Native American gov-

ernments.

The Idaho Water Science Center (IdWSC) is one of 48 USGS water science centers nation-

wide. The main office is in Boise with field offices located in Post Falls and Idaho Falls. There is

also a project office in Idaho Falls for USGS work at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

The IdWSC is currently engaged in three non-INL groundwater interpretive studies:

A groundwater-flow model of the Wood River Valley aquifer system is being constructed in co-

operation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This model is the culmination of ten-

years of work by the USGS and a number of local cooperators, led by Blaine County, to charac-

terize the groundwater resources of the valley and provide scientific information for management

decisions. The model is being documented in a report scheduled for release in January 2016.

In response to rapid population growth and change in land use the USGS is characterizing current

groundwater-quality conditions in the drinking water of Gem County in cooperation with Gem

County and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The USGS is sampling 48 wells

completed in different aquifers and at two sites on the Payette River. A USGS report will be

completed in late 2016 and will describe the hydrogeology and groundwater quality of the area.

When the Camas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937, the source of water for the

wetlands was Camas Creek and groundwater inflow.

continued on page 19

United States Geological Survey

Groundwater Activities in Idaho

Submitted by J.R. Bartolino, Idaho Groundwater Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey

IGWA Bulletin - Summer 2014 Page 3

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 3

President Kenny Vollmer Jr. 2016 Vollmer Well Drilling LLC vollmer@vollmerdrilling.com (208) 317-6314

IGWA DIRECTORS Tony Hackett 2017 Down Right Drilling & Pump Inc. tony@downrightdrilling.com (208) 484-8472

Vice President Legrand Baker 2016 Pump Service Inc. pumpservice@safelink.net (208) 300-9043

Dave Adamson 2017 Adamson Pump & Drilling Inc. adamsondrilling@gmail.com (208) 573-1723

Associate President Marty Baker 2016 Apex Drilling marty.baker13@gmail.com (208) 312-2270

Tom Richardson 2018 H2O Well Service Inc. tomr@h2owell.com (208) 818-0588

Associate Vice President Matt Baker 2017 APEX Drilling matt6.7baker@gmail.com (208) 312-2689

Roger Buchanan 2019 Andrew Well Drilling Services Inc. roger@andrewwelldrill.com (208) 681-3517

M & S President Todd Housley 2016 toddhousley@gmail.com (208) 705-1113

Dan Denning 2019 Denning Drilling Inc. dennwell@gmail.com (209) 390-4600

M & S Vice President Chad Draper 2017 2M Company Inc. cdraper@2mco.com (208) 871-1602

Past President Eric Forsmann 2018 Stuivenga Vessey Drilling eric@svdrilling.com (208) 451-4273

Table of Contents: 1 USGS in Idaho; cont’d on Pg 19& 20

3 IGWA Board of Directors & Table of Contents

5 IGWA Crisis Fund

7 Idaho PTAC

9 NGWA - ANSI Standards; cont’d on Pg. 18

11 Dig-Line UPDATE

13 Water Systems Cost Savings Act

15 In Remembrance

17 Community Milestones

21 IGWA Membership Form

22 Early-bird Convention Registration

Advertisers: 2 2M Company, Inc.

4 Water Recovery Services

6 Flomatic Corp.

8 Rockmore International

8 RJB Wholesale

10 Western Hydro

12 Baroid

14 2M Company, Inc.

16 H.D. Fowler Co.

18 Wyo-Ben

23 Mitchell Lewis Staver

IGWA 2015 Board of Directors

Not available

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 5

The Question: “What good shall I do

today?...What good have I done today?”

Ben Franklin

What brings together a well driller, an M&S supplier, and a

professional fabric artist to create something more than just an organ-

ization on paper, but a community that cares about people and helps

where it can. It is a belief in community service perhaps best person-

ified in IGWA’s Crisis Fund.

Larry Spath, Robertson Supply, Inc., is an M&S supplier and

a bass fisherman. Cynthia Fuelling is an award-winning quilter

whose only tie to drilling is that she happens to be the neighbor of a drilling family. Dan Denning, a

well driller and IGWA board member, likes to fish. He likes quilts too or at least his wife does. Last

year Larry Spath donated a fishing trip to IGWA’s Crisis Fund Auction. He’s done it several times be-

fore for different fundraisers. “It’s something different that might generate some money,” he said, “The

Crisis Fund is a good deal…I just felt the need to do it.” Dan Denning had the winning bid. When

Byron Morgan (also Robertson Supply) found out about Larry’s generous and personal donation, he

stepped in and offered a second option for Larry and Dan – join Robertson Supply on their annual fish-

ing trip in Hells Canyon. That’s how earlier this year Dan, his brother Jody, and nephew Jed found

themselves on a guided jet boat fishing trip in the company of 30 or 40 other drillers. They launched

out of Pittsburg Landing north of Riggins.

Of the trip Dan said, “…the scenery was beautiful…I’ve never been fed so danged good…it was

fun to talk shop with the other drillers… and I’ve never been on a fishing trip where we caught so many

fish.” Dan caught a 12 pound catfish, Jed hooked a 51/2 foot sturgeon and together they landed over

100 small-mouth bass. As to why Dan supports the Crisis Fund, he said “It shows (IGWA) members

that we are not just an organization on paper; we care what happens to people and help where we can.”

Dan might have been the highest bidder on the fishing trip, but the quilt was the one that got away last

year. By the way, Cynthia is donating a second quilt in 2016 so better luck next year, Mr. Denning.

Cynthia Fuelling is an award-winning fiber artist with a degree in Textiles and Design who

started quilting in the 1980’s, an artist who paints with fabric. She loves everything about textiles and

quilts. She has a passion for historical textiles and is a quilt historian. She enjoys designing patterns,

recycling vintage textiles, teaching classes and workshops, and doing lectures on a variety of quilting

and textile subjects. She supports IGWA’s Crisis Fund because, “Two years ago Legrand (Baker) ap-

proached me about donating to the Crisis Fund. I hold the belief that we are here to be of service. We

each have gifts and talents…When Legrand told me about the Crisis Fund’s purpose I decided it was a

way I could use my quilts to benefit a worthy cause. Legrand’s brother who was in your organization

passed away this year…I was able to see where my donation directly benefited another. I continue to

support your Crisis Fund because it “is of service”.”

Through his own generous efforts Charlie Fox, Franklin Electric and Crisis Fund Chairman, has

been the driving force behind IGWA’s Crisis Fund, working tirelessly to build the fund and reach out to

drillers in need. It is not a solitary effort. There are too many contributors and supporters to recognize

individually who have joined together in the service of others.

This year we are making it easier to participate. The Crisis Fund Auction will be held during

lunch at IGWA’s annual convention. You do need to be present to bid, but you don’t have to be there

to participate. “We all have gifts and talents.” What is yours? How can you share them with IGWA’s

Crisis Fund?

The Idaho PTAC was established under grant from the US Defense Logistics Agency in 1986. We are one

of 99 PTAC’s throughout the continental US and its territories and the only PTAC in the state of Idaho.

The mission of the PTAC is to educate Idaho businesses on the opportunity to sell to government agencies

and prime contractors and assist them in successfully completing the procurement process. This is done

through a number of free services: 1. Assistance with federal registrations such as Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), System for

Award Management (SAM), Veteran Registration on the Vendor Information Page (VIP) and the US Forest

Service Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR).

2. Help in determination of the North American Industrial Classification Code(s) applicable to a business.

3. Custom Bid Match Notification where the PTAC sends a daily email on every business day containing

potential solicitations of interest to a particular business.

4. Educational seminars/trainings on evolving procurement policies and procedures.

5. One-on-one assistance responding to solicitations and bid opportunities.

6. Assistance in marketing companies to a myriad of agencies using a capability statement (one page business

resume). The PTAC will assist the company in development of a general and targeted capability statement.

7. Providing military specifications, translation of the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) clauses and e-

commerce assistance.

8. Online Directory of Buyers which is a listing of hundreds of contracting officers/procurement officials/

small business liaison offices from government agencies and large corporations.

9. Assistance with obtaining a GSA (General Services Administration) schedule(s).

10. Any other procurement related assistance that a company might need.

The Idaho PTAC services all 44 counties in Idaho and is open to all Idaho based business regardless of size.

You only need to have an office address that is located within the state. To become a client you go to our

website at www.idahosbdc.org/ptac and use the online registration procedure. We also post upcoming

trainings, workshops, and other presentations of interest on the site.

Additionally, we host an annual Idaho Small Business Symposium (ISBS) which provides businesses the

opportunity to meet face-to-face with contracting officials from a wide variety of federal, state, county and

local government agencies and large corporate purchasing agents. The next Symposium will be on March

24, 2016 at the Shoshone Bannock Event Center in Fort Hall, Idaho. More details will be posted on the

PTAC website as they become available.

Again I want to emphasize that all of these services are provided free of change with the exception of the

ISBS for which we charge a nominal fee to defray some of the expense in hosting the event.

The PTAC is staffed by the Program Manager, Mr. Gary Moore, garymoore@boisestate.edu, (208) 426-

1741 and Mr. Lee Velten, Program Analyst, leevelten@boisestate.edu, (208) 426-1742. PTAC is located on

the campus of Boise State University in the offices of the state of Idaho Small

Business Development Center (SBDC). The physical address is 2360 W.

University Drive, Suite 1213 (Micron Business and Economic Center), Boise,

ID. The mailing address is 1710 W. University Dr., Boise, ID 83725-1655.

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 7

Idaho Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

BRIEFS

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 9

NGWA Seeks ANSI Standard for Pumping Systems:

The National Ground Water Association is seeking people to form a consensus body for de-

veloping a proposed groundwater pumping systems standard to include guidance on performance

requirements for pumps used in water wells.

A standard is a formal technical document for generally accepted processes, procedures, and

policies. NGWA is seeking establishment of standards to protect groundwater resources and public

health, and to help ensure professionals are capable of proper selection, design, and installation, by

establishing a benchmark for groundwater pumping systems.

The draft ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/NGWA-03-1X Water Well Pumps

Standard will be compiled following ANSI-accredited NGWA Standard Development Operating

Procedures. Among the areas to be covered by the proposed standard are: Pump system design:

Wellhead considerations: Pump sizing and materials: Tanks, metering, valves, and piping: Electrical

concerns: Operational concerns: Any related topics as determined by the consensus body.

Persons suitable for the consensus group include groundwater industry stakeholders such as wa-

ter well system contractors, regulators, private water well owners, groundwater scientists and engi-

neers, and manufacturers and suppliers of equipment used in the groundwater industry. Membership

with NGWA is not required for participation.

Those interested in serving on the NGWA consensus body may also download the task group

member application and access the NGWA Standard Development Operating Procedures at

www.NGWA.org/Professional-Resources/standards/Pages/standards.aspx.

For more information, contact NGWA Industry Practices Administrator Jessica Rhoads by

sending an email to industrypractices@ngwa.org or by phoning (800) 551-7379 (614-898-7791), ext.

511.

NGWA Endorses Proposed Standard for Ground Source Heat Pump Systems:

NGWA has approved a proposed standard for the design and installation of ground source

heat pump systems that will now go to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for re-

view.

The standard is proposed for use in the United States and Canada. CSA-448 is a joint effort of the

CSA Group; NGWA; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engi-

neers; and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. The CSA Group is an interna-

tionally accredited standards development and testing and certification organization.

The proposed standard now goes to ANSI, which will review the consensus process involved

in developing it.

John Pitz, CPI, who played an instrumental role in NGWA’s efforts, says the Association

has played a critical role in helping to ensure groundwater protection and system efficiency in the

proposed standard.

A key NGWA groundwater protection objective was achieved: NGWA’s definition of “loop

well”—and the construction process it describes—is included in the proposed standard in reference

to the vertical heat exchanger portion of a ground source heat pump system.

continued on page 18

briefly

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 11

July 13, 2015 PHMSA Issues Pipeline Damage Prevention Programs Final Rule New Rule establishes review criteria for State excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety

Administration (PHMSA) today announced the issuance of a final rule to establish the process for eval-

uating State excavation damage prevention programs and enforcing Federal standards in States where

such requirements are inadequate or do not exist.

“Excavation damage is a leading cause of serious pipeline incidents that cause death, injuries

and property damage,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The rule strengthens our

ability to take enforcement action against those who violate pipeline damage prevention requirements,

and to address one of the greatest threats to pipeline safety.”

Congress authorized the DOT to take this action under the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, En-

forcement and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006. The final rule amends the Federal pipeline safety regula-

tions to establish the following:

The criteria and procedures PHMSA will use to determine the adequacy of State pipeline excavation damage

prevention law enforcement programs;

The administrative process for States to contest notices of inadequacy from PHMSA should they elect to do

so;

The Federal requirements PHMSA will enforce against excavators for violations in States with inadequate

excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs; and

The adjudication process for administrative enforcement proceedings against excavators where Federal au-

thority is exercised.

“Between 1988 and 2014, there were 1,815 pipeline incidents caused by excavation damage

that resulted in 193 deaths, 757 injuries and nearly $545 million in property damage,” said PHMSA

Interim Executive Director Stacy Cummings. “This rule represents a critical achievement in the De-

partment’s continuing efforts to prevent excavation damage to pipelines.”

The PIPES Act of 2006 directed PHMSA to develop criteria for evaluating the adequacy of

State damage prevention laws, and authorized PHMSA to take civil enforcement action against excava-

tors who violate safety requirements. PHMSA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

on the excavation damage rule in 2009 and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2012.

PHMSA has undertaken a variety of efforts over many years to reduce excavation damage to

pipelines. These efforts include performing studies, advocacy, grant making, rulemaking, and partner-

ship with a wide spectrum of excavation damage prevention stakeholders.

The final rule has been transmitted to the Federal Register for publication. An actual date of

publication will be determined by the Federal Register, but a preview of the rulemaking proposal trans-

mitted by PHMSA is available on the agency’s website.

For more information on the U.S. DOT’s efforts to improve pipeline safety and awareness, in-

cluding details about the final rule, visit the PHMSA website at www.phmsa.dot.gov.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and

environmentally sound operation of the nation’s 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1 million

daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. PHMSA is one of ten agencies within the U.S. Department of

Transportation.

IDAHO DAMAGE COALITION: The federal rule gives new impetus to the Idaho Damage

Coalition’s efforts to update Idaho’s Dig-line laws. The Coalition has been working since 2012 to

implement a stakeholder-driven process focused on public education and outreach. A bill is being

vetted for introduction in the 2016 Idaho legislative session. Without the new bill, Idahoans who fail to

call Dig-line could be subject to a federal process with federal enforcement and penalties.

NEW IMPETUS FOR IDAHO DIG-LAW UPDATES

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 13

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 17, 2015 - - The Water Systems Cost Savings Act (H.R. 3533, “Savings

Act”), a bill to reduce federal, state and local costs of providing high quality drinking water to millions

of Americans in rural communities by facilitating the use of cost-effective alternatives like water well

systems, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) and

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN).

“We commend Rep. Richard Hanna and Rep. Jim Cooper for their leadership in bringing a reli-

able, cost-effective legislative solution to millions of Americans who lack an affordable water delivery

system for their daily needs,” said Bo Andersson, past president Water Systems Council and President

of Flomatic Corporation. “With the availability of economical alternatives like water well systems,

every American should have access to safe drinking water. The Savings Act will help provide that ac-

cess.”

“Traditional municipal water systems don’t work in every community, or are prohibitively ex-

pensive,” U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna said. “Fortunately, there are other options. Communities seeking

federal assistance to upgrade their water infrastructure should be given the most comprehensive infor-

mation possible so that they can build the most appropriate and cost-effective system that best meets

their unique needs. This bill will encourage cost-effective alternatives that will save taxpayer dollars

and free up resources to reduce the growing backlog of clean water infrastructure needs.”

“Americans need the flexibility to choose the clean water source that suits them best, whether

city water or well water,” stated Rep. Jim Cooper. “This bill allows that flexibility while keeping

drinking water safe.”

The most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking Water Needs Survey found

a shortfall of $64 billion in drinking water infrastructure funding for small communities. The Water

Systems Cost Savings Act will update existing EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pro-

grams to provide cost-saving information to small communities facing drinking water challenges.

The legislation also ensures that alternative drinking water supplies such as individual, shared

and community wells be considered in applications for federal funding for drinking water system serv-

ing 500 or fewer people.

The Savings Act is supported by leading rural drinking water organizations, including the Wa-

ter Systems Council, the Water Quality Association and the National Ground Water Association.

“The water crisis in America is not just one of supply, but of delivery, with many rural commu-

nities unable to afford traditional long-pipe methods of delivering safe drinking water to their resi-

dents,” said JJ Troccoli, Secretary/Treasurer, Water Systems Council and national sales and marketing

manager, Water Division, A.O. Smith Water Systems. “The Savings Act will provide these communi-

ties with the knowledge and resources necessary to implement affordable drinking water systems, in-

cluding individual and community water well systems.”

Margaret Martens, Executive Director of the Water Systems Council, noted, “The effectiveness

of water wells as a reliable, low-cost way to provide access to safe drinking water has been proven in

projects across the nation that have realized costs savings of as much as 94% over conventional drink-

ing water systems. This legislation is a win for rural American and for the American taxpayer.”

This article was submitted by Nicholas Farrara, Vice-President Sales & Marketing, Flomatic

Corporation, via the Water Systems Council.

H.R. 3533 replaces a similar bill: “Water Supply Cost Savings Act”.

Water Systems Cost Savings Act Introduced in U.S. House

This space is available for technical or human interest articles from our newsletter advertisers and others. To submit an article or make inquiries, contact Brenda Tominaga at btominaga@hotmail.com.

IGWA Bulletin— FALL 2015 Page 15

In Remembrance

Robert M. Dawson,

Nov. 11, 1952 - Aug. 21, 2015

Weiser: Born in Placerville, California on

November 11, 1952 to Weston and Lois

Dawson. Passed away, unexpectedly, in

Weiser, Idaho on August 21, 2015. He

graduated Ponderosa High School in

1971. He began working as a water well

driller with his father at Triangle Well

Drilling in 1975. He married Debra

(Davies) in Reno, Nevada on September

11, 1976. Their family grew in 1980

when their son Robert was born and again

in 1986 when they had their daughter

Morganne.

Rob continued working in the

family business until he and his wife

formed Robert Dawson Drilling, Inc. in 1988. Rob relocated the business to Cambridge, Idaho in 1997.

Rob was a past Director of the Idaho Ground Water Association and a member of the Idaho Department

of Water Resources Drillers’ Advisory Committee.

When he had time away from work he enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family and

spending time with his grandchildren.

Rob is preceded in death by his father Weston. He is survived by his wife Debra, son Robert

(Lindsay), daughter Morganne (Robert Shepherd), and grandchildren Robert Dawson (15),

Jacob Dawson (13), and Colton Dawson (9), Halley Shepherd (1), mother Lois Dawson, sister Nola

Rumsey, brother Wayne Dawson, and many nieces and nephews.

IGWA appreciated Rob Dawson’s numerous contributions to the industry and the Association.

Among his recent contributions to IGWA, he served on the Well Drillers’ Advisory Board from 2006 to

the present. He was initially appointed to IGWA’s Board of Directors to replace another Director, then

elected to his own four-year term from 2008 to 2012. In 2014 he was appointed to a two-year term on

the Continuing Education Committee (CEC) and also as an Idaho representative on the Board of Di-

rectors for the Pacific Northwest Ground Water Association (PNGWA). He was a respected member of

the Idaho well drilling community as well as an active member and supporter of the Idaho Ground

Water Association (IGWA). He will be greatly missed.

IGWA Bulletin— FALL 2015 Page 17

COMMUNITY MILESTONES

2015-16 Membership Campaign NOW OPEN

The membership form is available on page 21 or at igwa.info.org.

Early-bird Registration for the 2016 Annual Convention at the Nampa Civic Center

is also open. The form is available on page 22 or online at igwa.info.org.

IGWA DIRECTORY: Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight your business. IG-

WA members now have the option of being listed in our on-line Directory. Using

Google Maps, customers may pinpoint your exact location and website via ig-

wa.info.org.

IGWA 2015-2016 CEC DATES Nov. 13, 2015 Coeur d’Alene

March 11, 2016 Nampa

March 17, 2016 Fort Hall

April 29, 2016 Lewiston

Registration is open for our Nov. 13th CEC Workshop in Coeur d’Alene.

This workshop includes Idaho and Washington Rules& Regulations. There will also be an update on

the North Idaho Adjudication. Please join us for a hot breakfast and full day of information. Addition-

al agenda and registration forms are available on the website at igwa.info.org. Registration is available

at the door for an additional cost. For more information, please call (208) 381-0294.

Cable Tools for Sale:

Bits, Stems, Rope Sockets, Fishing Sockets, Mills, Perforators, Drive Clamps, Elevators, and more.

Contact: Hugh Harden, Ph. (208) 832-2231, hharden@att.net

NGWA Hosting Director Candidates School at Groundwater Expo:

Have you ever attended the NGWA’s Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting and noticed folks

with gold ladder pins on their lapel or name badge? Have you wondered where they got them and what

it means? The gold ladder pin signifies they are graduates of NGWA’s Director Candidates School, a

school for members considering making themselves available as future candidates for NGWA volunteer

director positions. The Director Candidates School will be held once again at this Expo, taking place from 12:30-2

p.m. on December 17. The session will be led by NGWA CEO Kevin McCray, CAE in room N117 at

the Las Vegas Convention Center. During the workshop, attendees will receive valuable insight into

what it means to serve among the distinguished ranks of the Association’s 42 volunteer director leaders. If words such as credible, dependable, knowledgeable, experienced, committed, responsible,

and networker apply to you and you are planning to attend the Expo, then be sure to attend this offering

so you too can earn and wear the gold ladder pin. In addition, you will receive a participation certifi-

cate, as well as the opportunity to win special leadership materials.

continued from page 9—NGWA Endorses Proposed Standard for Ground Source Heat Pump

Systems:

A loop well encompasses:

The drilling of the vertical borehole

Placement of the loop tube to the bottom of the vertical borehole with the grout tremie

Grouting of the vertical borehole from the bottom of the vertical borehole to the earth’s surface

at the drill site.

In commonly used closed-loop ground source heat pump systems, Pitz says “the heart and soul

of the system is the loop well. It’s not just a hole in the ground. It’s an engineered structure that needs

to be constructed as designed, which means you control the borehole. It’s huge to get that in.”

Not only does the inclusion of the loop well definition address groundwater protection, it also is

intended to help ensure the efficiency of heat exchange in the ground.

Other key NGWA objectives included in the proposed standard are:

Defining standing column and open-loop ground source heat pump systems as water wells Referencing the NGWA/ANSI water well construction standard, which includes standards for grout-

ing, in the CSA-448 proposed standard Referencing NGWA’s Certified Vertical Closed Loop Driller, Certified Well Driller, and Certified

Pump Installer certifications for persons qualified to design and perform installation work for

ground source heat pump systems.

In addition to Pitz, other members of NGWA’s Joint Loop Well Standard Task Force who as-

sisted in the Association’s efforts were former NGWA President Daniel T. Meyer, CPA, MGWC,

CVCLD, Gregg Drilling & Testing Inc., Garden Grove, California; and Todd E. Hunter, CWD/PI,

Ground Water Pump Systems, Boulder, Colorado.

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 19

Changing irrigation practices and recent drought have resulted in lower groundwater levels and

the consequent loss of wetlands. Because migratory waterfowl have become dependent on the

wetlands the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has resorted to groundwater pumping to

maintain them.

Recognizing that pumping groundwater is not a viable long-term management strategy the

USFWS is working with the USGS to provide data on seepage rates on the refuge so that alterna-

tive water-management strategies can be developed. A report on the study is slated for publication

in 2016.

The INL project office uses a variety of data collected in the vicinity of the lab to construct hydro-

logic and geologic models of the aquifer, track contaminant plumes in groundwater, and improve the un-

derstanding of the aquifer by examining its component parts of rock, sediment, and water. In addition to

the collection of data from wells and stream gages, they maintain archives of borehole cores and water

samples.

In addition to these studies, the IdWSC is involved in several regional or national interpretive

studies involving groundwater:

The longest running program (since 1991) is a National Water Quality Assessment Program

(NAWQA) study of the Upper Snake River Basin. As part of this NAWQA study, the IdWSC collects

water-quality data for both groundwater and surface water. The NAWQA studies rely on 2-3 year

short-term intensive assessments to provide information on the occurrence and distribution of water-

quality constituents.

The Northwest Volcanic Aquifer System Assessment (NVASA) is a regional study that, in part, aims

to develop recharge estimates for relatively unstudied volcanic-rock aquifers in parts of Oregon, Cali-

fornia, Nevada and Idaho. The study area in Idaho primarily includes aquifers in the Owyhee Moun-

tains and the area west of the Weiser Valley.

The IdWSC is participating in a six-state study to document the severity of the 2015 drought. This

study is collecting streamflow, water temperature, and other data from rivers and streams to assess

how warmer winter temperatures, reduced mountain snowpack, and a shift in precipitation from snow

to rain may affect future water availability. Among the results of this study will be the identification

of sites at which groundwater contributes significantly to stream base flow.

The USGS is well known for its real-time streamflow data, however, the IdWSC currently has

four wells with real-time groundwater-level data: three as part of the USGS Climate Response Network

and one well coupled with an active real-time stream gage. Current plans call for the eventual installation

of a real-time well in each of the ten National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate

divisions in Idaho.

The USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) is the repository for publically available

USGS surface-water, groundwater, water-quality, biological, and water-use data and includes both real-

time and historic data. NWISWeb is the main portal for this data that may be retrieved by database que-

ries, or a map-based interface. continued on page 20

Continued from page 1

USGS Groundwater Activities in Idaho

IGWA Bulletin - FALL 2015 Page 20

continued from page 19

Options also exist for automatic alerts of user-specified conditions (WaterAlert), email or texts with

current conditions (WaterNow), and mobile-friendly websites for USGS data retrieval. The USGS

Groundwater Watch website displays NWIS groundwater data as maps grouped in various ways il-

lustrating whether water levels or spring flows are above, below, or at long-term means (similar

maps are available for stream discharge at the WaterWatch website).

This article provides a brief introduction to current USGS groundwater activities in Idaho.

For more information on these and other topics please visit these websites:

Current and past USGS activities in Idaho: http://id.water.usgs.gov.

Idaho water data and tools: http://id.water.usgs.gov/dataTools/.

USGS national groundwater programs and data: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/.

USGS Publications: http://pubs.usgs.gov/.

For more information please contact:

James R. Bartolino, Ph.D.,

U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Water Science Center

230 Collins Rd.

Boise, ID 83702

208-387-1392 / jrbartol@usgs.gov

Attention trade

show exhibitors

It is not too late to re-

serve your booth at the

2016 IGWA Annual

convention & trade show

At the nampa civic center

in nampa, Idaho

Space is limited

Trade show information is

available at igwa.info

Idaho Ground Water Association P.O. Box 2624 Boise, ID 83701-2624 4477 W Emerald, Ste C-250 Boise, ID 83706-2000 P: (208) 381-0294 E: www.igwa.info

Heard the Buzz ? THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT!

Registration page 22 or at

www.igwa.info

IDAHO

GROUND

WATER

ASSOCIATION

2016

ANNUAL

CONVENTION

&

TRADE SHOW

JANUARY

27—28

NAMPA CIVIC

CENTER