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The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday amended and reported out legislation authorizing the state to set standards for the construction of drinking water wells.
Private and public pool owners, as well as pool management companies, should remember that chlorinated wastewater must be handled responsibly, Acting DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said today. When chlorinated water is drained from a swimming pool into a storm sewer, it can quickly make its way to a stream or other body of water, where aquatic life can be damaged or killed. The discharge of swimming pool water to local waterways without a permit is a violation of the Clean Streams Law. For more information, or to view the Swimming Pool Wastewater Guidelines, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: pool wastewater.
Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) is a garden-lover’s dream when the planting site is hostile to more well-behaved horticultural selections. Think ahead, for in fertile soils and confined spaces, this rhizomatous perennial primrose family member can spread as quickly as bamboo to dominate the site!
Abstract Submittal is now open! You are invited to submit an Abstract to the 2013 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium “Stormwater From the Ground Up” to be held on the campus of Villanova University 17-18 October 2013. The purpose of the symposium is to advance the knowledge and understanding of sustainable stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations, and regulatory compliance. A workshop for non-engineers will be held preceding the symposium. More information to include how to submit your proposal is available on the VUSP Website.
Many states throughout the nation offer Master Watershed Steward volunteer programs through their land grant university extension services; these programs train citizen volunteers in the basics of water resource stewardship. Now Penn State Extension, with the help of the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley and other local environmental groups, are launching PA’s first Master Watershed Steward Program in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The Watershed Winds newsletter launched in 2012. We would like to ask you, our readers for comments to help us improve
WREN is enhancing its sourcewaterpa website to soon allow residents to check whether their public water supplier has a PA DEP-approved Source Water Protection Plan in place. PA Safe Drinking Water regulations direct public water suppliers to find and utilize the best sources available and to take measures necessary to protect those sources.
Two new, youth-oriented online presentations from Penn State Extension explore the role of water in shale-gas drilling and production in the mid-Atlantic region.These self-running presentations were designed for use by educators in both formal and informal educational settings. Although geared towards youths in grades six through 10, they also are appropriate for adults who may want to learn more about this topic.
The American Chemistry Council reviewed current chemical industry projects, ethane production from shale development and the economic impacts.
In February and May of 2013, Bucks residents who rely on a private well, spring or cistern for their drinking water attended drinking water clinics and received free, basic water testing and education during a two-hour workshop.
Penn State Extension Water Specialist, Bryan Swistock, and Extension Educators, Jim Clark and Diane Oleson met with the Association of State Home Inspectors early in May to teach them about private water supplies. The conference was held in Grantville, Pennsylvania, and the extension personnel instructed on private water system construction basics, water testing and interpretation, and treatment solutions for common water system problems.
This report is entitled the "2012 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report" (Integrated Report) and satisfies the requirements of both sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. The narrative report contains summaries of various water quality management programs including water quality standards, point source control and nonpoint source control. It also includes descriptions of programs to protect lakes, wetlands and groundwater quality. A summary of the use support status of streams and lakes is also presented in the narrative.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently hosted the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium on May 8, 2013. The symposium was held during National Drinking Water Week in recognition of the importance of groundwater to both public and private drinking water supplies across Pennsylvania.
Penn State Extension will offer a Web-based seminar focusing on low-impact development, a stormwater-management strategy designed to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and resulting pollution at noon and 7 p.m. May 15, "Low Impact Development and Smart Growth: How Are They Best Integrated and Utilized in Our Communities?" will give participants a look at how green infrastructure strategies make a difference.
Do you have a private water well, spring or cistern? If you do, you are one of the more than one million households in Pennsylvania that rely on them! And what may surprise you is that more than 20,000 new water wells are drilled each year in this state.
Finding new infestations of aquatic invasive species (AIS) early, before they have a chance to become established and spread, is extremely important for AIS control and management in Pennsylvania. Therefore, Pennsylvania Sea Grant developed Pennsylvania’s Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species to help agency field biologists, water conservation officers and others working in Pennsylvania’s waters to quickly and accurately identify potential new AIS infestations.
Do you like gardening? Do you love seeing birds and butterflies at flight in your yard? Creating a rain garden offers therapeutic exercise, attracts wildlife, and helps keep stormwater runoff from overburdening sewer systems--or entering local streams. Find out more by viewing this video from StormwaterPA about the value of rain gardens in the watershed and what some communities are doing about it.
iConservePA’s website is turning its focus to water. We’ve added new content to help you use water wisely in all aspects of your life. At home, we can make simple choices inside and outside the home that help save money and water. Managing storm water, providing access to water-based recreation, and protecting water supplies are vital to citizens’ health and well-being. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you know our lakes, rivers and streams provide natural beauty and countless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Log on today to find daily tips and new ways to conserve.
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York) setting standards for drinking water wells on Wednesday. The bill authorizes the Environmental Quality Board to establish water well construction standards through the adoption of rules and regulations of the DEP that are generally consistent with the National Groundwater Association construction standards. Specifically, the legislation would establish construction standards, including the decommissioning of abandoned wells, to be followed by water well drillers and owners. Nothing in this legislation requires the metering of homeowner wells.
If you are a pond owner, it is a good idea to take a walk around your pond in early spring and check to see if any maintenance is needed. Follow up with another inspection in early fall. If you don’t inspect your pond regularly and make any necessary repairs promptly, more costly or even irreparable damage may occur.
