NGWA provided input on July 1 to the White House Groundwater Working Group’s request for input on “America’s Groundwater Challenges.”
The response followed the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) announcing in April it was launching a working group on America’s groundwater.
In its five-page response and approved by the NGWA Board of Directors, the Association emphasizes several key areas to enhance groundwater sustainably, quality, and resilience:
- Increased investment in the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Climate Response Network. These efforts are crucial for collecting comprehensive data on groundwater levels, quality, and usage across the country.
- Growing importance of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) as a sustainable practice. This includes the use of stormwater, treated wastewater, and other sources to replenish aquifers. Implementing best practices in MAR can significantly enhance groundwater storage and availability.
- Recognizing the interdependence of groundwater and surface water, NGWA recommends laws and incentives that encourage the conjunctive use of these resources. This approach can help manage water supplies more effectively, especially during droughts.
- Impacts of emerging and legacy contaminants, such as PFAS and arsenic, which threaten groundwater quality. This includes supporting remediation efforts and ensuring that water quality monitoring is a key component of groundwater management.
NGWA also calls for the development of comprehensive groundwater sustainability plans. These plans could establish water budgets, set sustainability criteria, and include projects aimed at increasing supply and managing demand.
NGWA’s response was written by Bill Alley, Ph.D., NGWA’s director of science and technology, Chuck Job, NGWA’s manager of regulatory affairs, and Tim Parker, PG, CEG, CHG, NGWA Board Director and Government Affairs Committee member.
In providing its response, the Association added that NGWA appreciates the opportunity to lend its expertise and stands ready to provide further information, respond to other questions about groundwater management, and collaborate in the stewardship of the nation’s groundwater resources.
Click here to read NGWA’s response.
Click here to learn more about 2024 NGWA policy priorities.