Water Well Journal

10/09/2026

Take the next step in your professional development at Groundwater Week 2026! NGWA will offer its General Drilling and General Water Systems certification exams on December 8 in Las Vegas. Advance registration is required, and space is limited to just 25 participants per exam, so be sure to secure your spot early.

Learn more: https://www.ngwa.org/detail/news/2026/10/08/ngwa-certification-exams-will-be-offered-at-groundwater-week-2026

09/23/2026

Groundwater Week 2026 is the focus of the National Ground Water Association's October 2026 issue of Water Well Journal as more than 15 pages are dedicated to the biggest show in the industry.

returns to Las Vegas, Nevada, after a year away as it takes place December 8-10 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. All the days will be filled with a variety of events providing you with the opportunity to grow as a professional and impact your business at home.

You can find out about all the happenings taking place in the “Groundwater Week Highlights.”

Beginning with the opening day of Groundwater Week, the section covers the key events happening throughout the show. Included are details on the Exhibit Hall, the keynote address, an offsite tour, receptions, meetings, and other opportunities.

Details about all the “Groundwater Week Educational Offerings.” There are countless opportunities to learn once again. Look for icons by the titles representing business management, drilling operations and well construction, geothermal technologies, safety and compliance, sustainable and available groundwater, water systems, well maintenance and rehabilitation, and workforce development, so you can make sure to sit in on the sessions best for you.

Register for by November 6 to save: https://groundwaterweek.com/registration

The Water Well Journal Q&A is with Steve Stone, who is presenting a workshop at Groundwater Week titled “Invisible Invaders: Microbes That Challenge Water Well Professionals. (https://ngwa.confex.com/ngwa/gw26/meetingapp.cgi/Session/29334)”

Stone, who is in sales for VIQUA and has been in the residential water treatment industry for more than 20 years, wants Groundwater Week 2026 attendees to learn proper testing methods and apply effective treatment and prevention strategies. Stone’s workshop will feature a special focus on modern treatment approaches, including how ultraviolet (UV) disinfection can be used to control harmful microorganisms, when UV is the right solution, and how to ensure it is applied correctly for reliable protection.

The latest monthly installment of Safety Matters by Alexandra Walsh is titled “Safe Use and Maintenance of Hand and Power Tools.” In the column, she notes hand and power tools are essential but can cause serious injuries if and when misused, poorly maintained, or handled carelessly.

Walsh writes that common hazards include cuts, amputations, eye injuries, repetitive- stress damage, electrical shock, falls, and injuries from flying objects. Workers should inspect and maintain these tools, follow manufacturer instructions, use the correct tool for each job, and wear appropriate PPE.

She adds that electric and pneumatic tools require additional precautions, including grounding, dry work areas, secure connections, and eye protection. Good footing, organized workspaces, proper storage, and awareness of nearby workers further reduce accidents.

The Water Works column by Ed Butts, PE, CPI, titled “Engineering of Water Systems” is timely as he covers cybersecurity at community water systems. Butts writes that cybersecurity has become increasingly important for water and wastewater systems that rely on SCADA and industrial control systems.

As these systems become more connected to office networks, remote devices, and the internet, he points out that they face greater risks from malware, hackers, and unauthorized access.

To read these articles and more, visit WaterWellJournal.com.

, , ,

09/22/2026

Learn more about this workshop, Geothermal Grout Products, at http...

09/09/2026

The 31st episode of the WWJ Industry Connected Podcast features Danny Kingham, PG, of GSI Environmental Inc. who discusses key issues and challenges of sustainable siting and operations, use of systems to power and cool data centers, what geothermal contractors need to know when bidding on these projects, & more.

Learn more: https://waterwelljournal.com/sustainable-data-center-siting-and-operations/

, , ,

09/02/2026

All this month the National Ground Water Association's Learning Center is offering 25% off all courses by using the promo code, WWJ25 at https://www.pathlms.com/ngwa

Expand your knowledge and strengthen your skills with training built for professionals. , ,

08/31/2026

08/27/2026

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced Motus, a new online registration system designed to modernize how USDOT numbers and operating authorities are issued and managed. The system includes updates aimed at reducing fraud, improving efficiency, and providing clearer registration information. Existing USDOT and docket numbers will not change.

Learn more about Motus: https://www.ngwa.org/detail/news/2026/08/27/fmcsa-announces-new-online-registration-system--motus

08/25/2026

The September 2026 issue of the National Ground Water Association's Water Well Journal focuses on heavy equipment and features WWJ’s annual heavy equipment directory as well as articles focusing on such equipment.

The “2026 Heavy Equipment Directory” features product details and contact information for industry manufacturers of drilling rigs, compressors, pump hoists/service trucks, mud recycling systems, and water trucks/rig tenders. It’s a one-stop shop for you when the time comes to make that next important purchase for your company.

The cover story is titled “Modern Hydraulic Circuit Designs for Mobile Water Well Drilling Rigs” authored by Derek Anderson. Anderson explains how mobile water well drilling rigs rely on multiple hydraulic circuit designs to deliver power, precision, and reliability.

Anderson points out that closed-loop hydrostatic circuits provide smooth, efficient control of drill rotation and track drives, while open-loop load-sensing circuits provide best feed and hoist functions by matching flow to demand, reducing fuel use and heat. Auxiliary systems use simpler open-center and pressure-compensated circuits for erecting the mast, leveling, and tool handling. High-flow circuits power mud pumps and air compressors.

Anderson also writes that priority valves, integrated pump systems, and load-holding safety valves ensure safe, coordinated operation, while conducting systematic troubleshooting and maintenance minimize downtime in harsh drilling environments. The article includes a troubleshooting guide to help with diagnosing and repairing the hydraulic system.

A second feature story is authored by WWJ Senior Editor Mike Price. In “Drill Rig Mobility,” the article looks at upgrading the capability of rigs off improved roads to the well site. Tighter jobsites, steep grading and soil conditions, and inclement weather can make mobilizing the drilling rig to the well site stressful.

Price speaks with water well contractors throughout the United States to find out what they’re doing to ease the challenges. The article also includes what rig and heavy equipment manufacturers are doing to come alongside contractors to improve rig mobility.

The latest installment of The Art of Water Wells column by Marvin F. Glotfelty, RG, is titled “Aquifer Complexity in Well Design.” He notes that aquifers are far more complex than the common assumption that a well draws a constant flow of uniform-quality water from a single source.

Glotfelty points out how groundwater enters wells at varying rates due to stratification, anisotropy, and hydraulic gradients, causing different layers to contribute unevenly to water production and quality. Oversimplifying aquifer conditions can lead to errors in estimating flow, entrance velocities, and clogging risks.

Glotfelty adds that because site-specific data are often limited, well designers should anticipate subsurface complexity, incorporate conservative safeguards, and communicate potential uncertainties to well owners for long-term performance and reliability.

To read these articles and more, visit WaterWellJournal.com.

08/12/2026

NGWA congratulates the recipients of its 2026 Awards of Excellence, Outstanding Groundwater Project Awards, and Sectional Awards, which will be presented this December during Groundwater Week 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

See the list of recipients here: https://www.ngwa.org/publications-and-news/Newsroom/press-releases-2026/national-ground-water-association-announces-2026-industry-award-recipients

07/31/2026

The August 2026 issue of the National Ground Water Association's Water Well Journal contains a pair of feature articles as well as multiple columns on a variety of topics.

The issue is led off with the latest WWJ Q&A. WWJ Editor Thad Plumley caught up with Steve Anderson, the president of Merrill Manufacturing Co. Their discussion covered a variety of topics including system failures, using lightning arrestors, and industry best practices.

Anderson leads off the interview by saying, “Most failures aren’t mysterious. They’re preventable.” He adds that, “A lot of components fail . . . because they’re misapplied, undersized, or never properly checked after installation” while also pointing out, “many of these failures are easy to prevent if contractors follow a few consistent best practices and take the time to verify the fundamentals.”

The second feature article in the August issue is “The Hydraulic Handshake” by Jason Burger. It details why system performance in a water well system depends on a “hydraulic handshake” between the well, pump, and treatment equipment specialists.

Burger explains that evaluating total dynamic head, verifying performance under load, and coordination among water well drillers, pump installers, and water treatment professionals are critical to the long-term success of water well systems. Successful systems require three handshakes: proper design, troubleshooting existing systems, and final verification to ensure reliable long-term operation.

The latest installment of the Hole Story column by Todd Tannehill is titled “Playing Telephone with Continuing Education.” He writes that the drilling industry often mirrors the childhood game of “Telephone,” where information passed from person to person becomes distorted—or remains unchanged despite advances in knowledge.

Tannehill states that many drilling methods are inherited from previous generations, sometimes predating modern drilling fluids, equipment, safety standards, and formal education programs. While experience is valuable, relying solely on tradition can lead to outdated practices.

Continuing education, industry conferences, and trusted technical sources help professionals stay current. As technology, regulations, and products evolve, water well drillers must continually learn, adapt, and challenge long-held assumptions to remain effective and relevant and provide the best water systems possible for their customers.

The Quick Hits column by Edd Schofield begins a two-part series on well disinfection and is titled “The Misunderstandings of Chlorine in Well Disinfection.” Schofield points out using more chlorine does not improve well disinfection and often makes treatment less effective.

He notes excessive concentrations quickly oxidize the outer biofilm layer, preventing deeper pe*******on and allowing bacteria to survive. Instead, 100 to 300 ppm of chlorine with longer contact time, agitation, and regular residual monitoring provides better results.

Severely fouled wells should first undergo rehabilitation using acids and biocides to remove mineral scale and biofilm, with chlorination used as the final disinfecting step. Successful well restoration depends on a comprehensive rehabilitation program, Schofield states, not shock chlorination alone.

To read these articles and more, visit WaterWellJournal.com.