January 6, 2011

TWG Meeting Recap - DRAFT
Crowne Plaza DIA, Denver, CO

Next TWG Meeting:
10:00 AM, April 29, 2011 CWWCA Board Meeting (tentative)
Basement Conference Room A, 333 West Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Private Drinking Water Initiative
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) notified its members that the CDC has proposed an investigation of health problems linked to private drinking water supplies, including water wells. The TWG will monitor this study and potential impacts to the water well industry in Colorado.

Cistern Installation on Well Source by Unlicensed Contractors
Anecdotal accounts of improper installation of cisterns on well source systems were presented to the TWG. Strategies to address this issue were discussed including: (1) cistern permitting through the Division of Water Resources or Department of Health and Environment, (2) reporting requirements for cistern installation and (3) additional enforcement through the Well Inspection Program, (4) inclusion of cistern inspection with plumbing work inspection. It was suggested that the issue be addressed at the next Board of Examiners (BOE) Meeting.

DWR Budget
No new information was provided regarding State budget.

NGWA Well Construction Standards
The NGWA committee that is preparing proposed ANSI BP-6 water well construction standards and is planning to present a consensus draft standard to the NGWA and ANSI on March 31, 2011. The draft document will be available for public review.

CWWCA Apprenticeship Program
The CWWCA BOE approved apprenticeship program was introduced at the 2010 CWWCA mid-year conference. Currently, there is one individual enrolled in the program. The apprenticeship program will be announced again at the 2011 annual meeting. The CWWCA will solicit additional support for the apprenticeship program from the BOE.

Board of Examiners Vacancy
The TWG discussed the vacancy on the BOE. There are five members of the BOE: One delegate from the State Engineer’s Office; one delicate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; two Governor-appointed experienced contractors; and one Governor-appointed experienced technical representative. The technical Governor-appointed position has been vacant since June 30, 2010. Currently, Jack Byers is the only applicant for the position. Mr. Byers reported that he does not expect to be appointed to the position and encouraged others to apply. The minimum requirement for the technical position is “an engineer or geologist with a minimum of ten years' experience in water supply and well construction preceding his appointment.”

Future Topics
BOE Vacancy
Unlicensed Cistern Installation
DWR Budget Update
NGWA well Construction Standards Update
CWWCA Apprenticeship Program
Colorado Ground Water Association coordination with CWWCA for presentations

Respectfully submitted by Daniel Niemela.

September 24, 2010 

TWG Meeting Recap

333 West Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO

Next TWG Meeting:
January 6, 2010 (Morning, TBA)
CWWCA Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel (DIA), Denver, CO

DWR Budget
The State continues to struggle with current and projected budget shortfalls. No DWR budget cuts nor additional furlough days have been proposed. The 2011 budget is due in October, but will probably be delayed until after the November election. The Well Inspector Program may be at risk of cuts in 2011.

Well Inspector Program
Background:
Currently, there are two well inspectors in the State and Nolan Lloyd, Chief Well Inspector. The well inspection program is currently underfunded and understaffed. Half of the inspection program is funded by $40 from each well permit fee and the other half of the program is funded by the general fund. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has not expressed interest in supporting an increase in well permit fees for the well inspection program. Scott Cuthbertson and Dick Wolfe would reportedly publically support a legislative proposal to increase the well permit fee for the well inspection program, but the DWR will not independently propose such legislation.

By statute, the well inspector program is entirely funded by well permit fees. Currently, half the inspection program is funded by the State’s general fund. The CWWCA discussed receiving assistance from DWR staff to draft legislation that would raise permit fees to fully fund the well inspection program. The CWWCA could work with a legislator to sponsor this legislation in the 2011 legislative session.

Water Well Construction Rules Update
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) construction standards have not been finalized and are undergoing committee review. These standards were reported to be significantly stricter than Colorado’s Water Well Construction Rules, but will not be mandatory. Once final, the NGWA construction standards may stimulate discussion regarding revisions to Colorado’s Water Well Construction Rules.

Geothermal
The NGWA has developed a certification program for geothermal contactors. In addition, the NGWA has prepared position papers regarding geothermal wells.

Apprenticeship
The CWWCA BOE approved apprenticeship program was introduced at the 2010 CWWCA mid-year conference. Currently, there is one individual enrolled in the program. The apprenticeship program will be announced again at the 2011 annual meeting.

Hydraulic Fracturing
The NGWA has received positive feedback from Dianna DeGette, key sponsor of the “FRAC-act,” which eliminates EPA Clean Drinking Water exemptions for hydraulic fracturing. The NGWA’s goal is to exempt water well fracturing from the requirements of the FRAC-act.

Cistern Permitting
Cisterns installed on a well source or to be installed on a well source must be installed by a licensed pump installation contractor. There are no plans for specific DWR permits for installation of cisterns.

Board of Examiners Vacancy
The TWG discussed the vacancy on the Board of Examiners (BOE). There are five members of the BOE: One delegate from the State Engineer’s Office; one delicate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; two Governor-appointed experienced contractors; and one Governor-appointed experienced technical representative. The technical Governor-appointed position has been vacant since June 30, 2010. Currently, Jack Byers is the only applicant for the position. Reportedly, the Department of Natural Resources will be reluctant to act on the vacancy until there are three applicants for the position. The CWWCA has exclusively endorsed Mr. Byers with a letter to Governor Ritter.

Future Topics
DWR Budget Update (brief)
NGWA well construction standards update
CWWCA Apprenticeship Program
Hydraulic Fracturing (if needed)
Colorado Ground Water Association coordination with CWWCA for presentations
BOE Vacancy (if needed)

Respectfully submitted by Daniel Niemela.