More than 70 water professionals from NGWA and the Water Quality Association gathered March 25-26 in Washington, D.C., for the 2025 Smart Water Policies Fly-In, advocating for policies that protect and sustain groundwater resources and promote the water well drilling industry.
The annual event served as a platform for advocacy, education, and collaboration on critical water issues. Attendees engaged in policy discussions, met with lawmakers, and participated in panels addressing emerging challenges in water management, affordability, and sustainability.
Fly-In Highlights
NGWA Government Affairs Committee Chair Seth Kellogg, PG, moderated a forum discussing the impacts of state and local policies on groundwater management. The forum featured insights from legislative experts and industry leaders on balancing regulation with sustainability.
The group also heard from keynote speaker Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president for environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Chaitovitz discussed how the business 
community and new federal administration can work together on promoting policies that benefit small business owners and the environment.
Congressman David Rouzer (R-North Carolina) was recognized as the 2024 recipient of NGWA's Groundwater Protector Award (see photo to the right) for his leadership in advancing policies that support the water well industry, including his introduction of the Healthy H2O Act, which provides grants for well owners to install point-of-use and point-of-entry water treatment technology to their water well systems.
Congressional Meetings
NGWA and WQA members attended more than 75 meetings with lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill on the second day of the Fly-In. During these meetings, NGWA members advocated for key policy priorities, including:
- Passing a five-year comprehensive Farm Bill with strong conservation and rural development titles to include critical resources for groundwater protection, rural water systems, and private wells; include the Healthy H2O Act to provide grants to private well owners to purchase point-of-entry (POE) water treatment equipment where contaminated water exists in a final bill.
- Supporting policies that expand and promote the use of geothermal energy, including federal tax credits.
- Expanding authorization for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) projects in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.
- Supporting current American iron and steel requirements for federally funded recipients to use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States. This requirement applies to projects for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of water and waste infrastructure.
- Enact smart tariff policies to protect the domestic water well industry and keep costs down.
Funding Priorities
- Fully funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program at $20 million for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
- Including MAR funding in Energy and Water Appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
- Fully funding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priority Areas: Rural Water Technical Assistance program, which supports communities in identifying water challenges, building capacity, and developing application materials to access water infrastructure funding. This includes $3 million for the Private Well Program under National Priority Area 3.
- Increasing federal support for STEM programs related to groundwater science, such as hydrogeology, geophysics, and water management.
- Expanding funding of PFAS treatment and testing for private water well owners and small rural systems.
- Ensuring state and local governments receive needed funding and guidance to comply with new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS.
NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC, and other staff attended the event.
“Groundwater is an indispensable part of our country’s water supply, and the policies we advocate for today will determine its future,” Morse said. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Fly-In and whose support was crucial in making it a success and in advancing our issues on Capitol Hill.”
Click here to read an overview of what lies ahead for the groundwater industry in 2025.
Click here to read 2025 NGWA policy priorities.