NGWA: Private Water Well Services Available During 'Shelter In Place' Orders

Memo issued by Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency deems “water and waste water” work essential to critical infrastructure

As the country continues to take measures to combat COVID-19, states and local governments across the country are beginning to enact “Shelter in Place” orders. These orders, most recently issued state-wide in California, require citizens to not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary and temporarily stop operations of “non-essential” businesses.

In response to these orders, the Federal Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a memo outlining industries and services it deems critical to nationwide infrastructure vitality. Among the industries and services listed is “water and wastewater” work.

In response to this memo, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) is reminding private well owners that services to their water systems including pump installation, water testing, and water well drilling are still available during any “shelter in place” or “lock down” order.

“If you are currently drilling a water well or need work done to your water system please contact your local water well contractor,” says NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse CAC, CIC. “Our members know their services are essential to their communities and are working hard to keep the water flowing for their customers.”

NGWA has been active during the pandemic, creating a resource center on its website for members that provides tools, a checklist for safe home visits, and more, to ensure groundwater professionals can continue to safely work during this unique time.

Private well owners are encouraged to visit wellowner.org for more information on testing, treating, and maintaining their water well. The Contractor Look Up Tool will also assist well owners in finding an NGWA member of NGWA-certified water well contractor in their area.

About The National Ground Water Association
The National Ground Water Association is a not-for-profit professional society and trade association for the global groundwater industry. Our members around the world include leading public and private sector groundwater scientists, engineers, water well system professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers of groundwater-related products and services. The Association’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association advocating for responsible development, management, and use of water.​

Wellowner.org is supported by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP.org), as part of the USEPA funded program “Improving Water Quality through Training Technical Assistance to Private Well Owners.”