The Groundwater Expo is now Groundwater Week – a new name for the industry’s leading event. Attendees will have 12 hours over two days to explore the newest in products, technologies and services from hundreds of groundwater industry exhibitors. In addition, registered Groundwater Week attendees will also be able to view (at no added cost) this year’s co-located Irrigation Show exhibit hall.
The event will feature 50-plus hours of expertly led workshops in categories ranging from business management and drilling operations to water systems and well rehabilitation, as well as hands-on activities taking place in the exhibit hall. Peter S. Cartwright, PE, will present his farewell 2016 NGWREF McEllhiney Lecture, Groundwater Contaminants and Treatment Options and the joint Keynote session with the Irrigation Association will feature a presentation by Dr. Peter G. McCornick, PE, D.WRE, an internationally known expert in water, food and environmental research.
Corrosive water study response. In response to the study issued by USGS, the Association noted that corrosive groundwater suggests action by certain well owners to check potential lead threat may be necessary. Since lead is harmful when consumed by both humans and animals, NGWA urges residential water well users in regions where corrosive water levels have been detected to investigate and determine whether lead is present in their drinking water.
While corrosive water does not represent 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 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 residential water well systems yielding potentially corrosive groundwater, according to the USGS. Its research suggests if private well users are not aware their source water is corrosive, are not treating for it and have lead-content pipes, plumbing fittings, or well system components, they may be at risk for having lead in their drinking water. NGWA has been working proactively on this subject.