Implementation of a National Ground Water Monitoring Network

Robert P. Schreiber, P.E., D.WRE, BCEECDM Smith, Cambridge, MA

American Society of Civil Engineers – ACWI RepresentativeCo-Chair, Subcommittee on Ground Water (SOGW)

U.S. Geological Survey – Congressional Briefing -- July 27, 2012

My PerspectiveMy Perspective

• Consulting Groundwater Specialist

• Clients in Multiple Sectors

• Long, Successful Working Relationship with USGS (35+ years)

• Reliance on USGS in Several Ways

USGS is the world’s premier geoscience organization

Collaborative Cape Cod Projects from the Late 1970s

What Makes USGS a Success?What Makes USGS a Success?

• Cooperation and Collaboration

• Reliability and High Quality

• Technology R&D and Leadership

• Sharing of Knowledge

USGS is a non-regulatory agency, engendering trust

USGS conducts unbiased studies, a critical need

Why Focus on Groundwater?

• Critical Supply

• Many Threats

• Can’t See It

• Can’t Live w/o It

– Streamflow

– Wetlands

Principal Aquifers – Defined by USGS

Why Do We Need the Network?Why Do We Need the Network?

• Fill Data Gaps

• Track Trends

• ID “Pristine” GW

• Create Consistency

• Cross-Border Issues

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Patchwork Quilt of State Agencies’

Groundwater-Related Responsibilities

How the Network StartedHow the Network Started

• Driven by Basic Questions

• Built on Prior Efforts

• Ocean-Coastal Groundwater

• Volunteer Participation

• USGS Leadership

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”

“How much groundwater

do we have?”

What Does “Network” Mean?• Monitoring Points

– Wells

– Springs

• Data Providers & Their Data

– States

– Tribes

• Web Data Portal

• Operations & Maintenance

• Oversight & GuidancePatchwork Quilt of Monitoring Points

As of Early 2008

Critical Success FactorsCritical Success Factors

• Cooperation with Stakeholders

• Reliable Flow of Data

• Advancement of Technology

• Sharing of Knowledge

Cooperation with Stakeholders

HALLMARK OF

USGS

USEPA

Cooperation with Stakeholders

SUCCESS DRIVEN BY

USGS APPROACH

• High Level of Interest

• Backed by Track Record

Reliable Flow of DataProof of Concept

• Pilot-Tested

• Backed by Track Record

• Vanguard Effort

“If you build it, they will come”

Advancement of Technology

• Premier Groundwater Science Entity in the World

• Numerous Innovations & Leading-Edge Solutions

• Key Participants in National & Worldwide R&D

Network Web PortalProof of Effective Linkages

SUCCESS CREATED BY USGS

Sharing of Knowledge

• Conferences & Committees

• Direct Assistance

• Online Information

• Worldwide Reach

Implementing the Network

• SECURE Water Act Authorization

• Piloting Full Implementation

• Add Partners (States, Tribal Nations, Federal Agencies, etc)

• USGS’ Central Role

– Day-to-Day Operations

– Education & Training

– Outreach

Fill Those Data Gaps

With your continued

support, the Network can

continue moving forward.

Join the Network!Join the Network!

Contacts:

Bill CunninghamSOGW Federal Co-ChairU.S. Geological SurveyReston, VA 20192703-648-5005wcunning@usgs.gov

Bob SchreiberSOGW Non-Federal Co-ChairCDM Smith, IncCambridge, MA 02139617-452-6251 SchreiberRP@cdmsmith.com

http://acwi.gov/sogw