National Ground Water Association Washington Update

Hydrogeology, Geology, & Environmental Issues

Date posted: 12/28/15

In the appropriations bill which funds the government though September 30, 2016, NGWA was pleased to see an increase in National Ground-Water Monitoring Network funding for FY2016. The Network will receive $3.6 million to continue implementation of the program, an increase of $1 million over FY2015 levels. The increase in funding will allow for additional implementation of the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network across the U.S. The program assembles water-level and eventually water-quality data from state agencies across the country onto a publicly accessible web portal, thus allowing for greater awareness and management of groundwater resources. The spending bill passed by Congress on December 18 did not contain harmful language that would have limited NSF funding for the geosciences. NSF funding saw an increase of $119 million over FY2015 levels. The Obama administration announced a new initiative designed to influence major challenges facing constrained water resources. By encouraging innovation to promote water efficiency and water reuse, the White House hopes to stimulate the development of technologies to ensure safe water supplies and better management activities. In addition, Interior Secretary Jewell announced creation of a Natural Resource Investment Center, designed to coordinate research on water resources, conservation, and water rights management. The Grassroots Rural Community Water Systems Assistance Act (S. 611), which promotes technical assistance on water infrastructure in rural areas, was signed into law on December 15. The legislation, led by Senator Wicker (R-Mississippi), authorizes the U.S. EPA to provide up to $15 million in technical assistance to small communities and allows certain nonprofit organizations to receive grants to support providing technical assistance to small communities. The assistance may support homeowners with individual wells or small community water systems.