Protecting Our Nation's Ground Water

                         

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About US

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Our Mission

"The Ground Water Protection Council is a national association of state ground water and underground injection control agencies whose mission is to promote the protection and conservation of ground water resources for all beneficial uses, recognizing ground water as a critical component of the ecosystem."

 “The Ground Water Protection Council provides a forum for stakeholder communication and research in order to improve governments’ role in the protection and conservation of ground water.”

Organizational Description

The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) is a nonprofit (501(c)6) organization whose members consist of state ground water regulatory agencies which come together within the GWPC organization to mutually work toward the protection of the nation’s ground water supplies. The purpose of the GWPC is to promote and ensure the use of best management practices and fair but effective laws regarding comprehensive ground water protection.

We work with people who have a stake in ground water protection - citizens, federal, state and local government officials, environmentalists, various industries and members of congress to pose questions and search for answers that are both practically and politically feasible.

How GWPC Works

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The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) is one of the most effective national organizations for the protection, conservation and management of ground water resources. GWPC members are the state officials who set and enforce regulations on ground water protection and underground injection.

in return,

Members gain satisfaction in knowing they are a part of developing workable solutions to help ensure local ground water protection. Additionally, members receive research support, expert opinion and public outreach materials through the organization's meetings, seminars, symposia, workshops and publications. Also, each member of GWPC can know first- hand how others feel about certain issues and how it could affect their state agency

History of the GWPC

The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) was incorporated as a nonprofit national association, headquartered in the State of Oklahoma, in November, 1983. It was initially incorporated by five states who wanted to form an organization that would serve as a forum to bring together technical and regulatory experts to discuss underground injection control (UIC) issues and overall ground water protection. The founders also sought to develop a strong public outreach/education program to inform the public about the safety of the national UIC program and to develop information that could be used by the states to enhance this effort. Since then the Board of Directors have enhanced GWPC’s overall commitment to broader ground water issues as a recognition that the UIC program is one piece of a much larger effort to effectively protect ground water as an essential component of the ecosystem.

The GWPC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of senior state agency managers representing the states in each of the USEPA’s ten regions. Board members are elected by their peers. The GWPC core members include representatives of state regulatory agencies responsible for ground water protection and underground injection activity.  The purpose of the GWPC is to promote the safest methods and most effective regulations regarding comprehensive ground water protection procedures and underground injection techniques.  The Ground Water Research and Education Foundation (GWREF), provides independent research and review of ground water and related matters in an effort to improve technologies and assist State regulatory agencies in waste disposal. GWPC and the Foundation have been credited with carrying out many successful projects that have had significant outcomes regarding best management practices and fair but effective laws regarding comprehensive ground water protection.

The GWPC was founded upon a sound principal from which it has never wavered. It has matured into a respected national association of state ground water and UIC agencies. Along the way, GWPC has had a significant impact in affecting national policy in underground injection and ground water protection.

Supporters

While GWPC membership is limited to state agencies, we encourage public participation in our meetings, divisions and committees.  This insures that state agency members receive feedback from a wide range of public stakeholders on issues affecting ground water regulation . 

Injection Wells

The USEPA has said that underground injection "reduces human exposure to organic and inorganic chemicals and heavy metals by removing them from the environment."

The Ground Water Protection Council believes that the ongoing goal to improve the environment through source reduction, recycling and other waste management improvements is of utmost importance. Deep well injection of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, however, plays a crucial role in providing a safe and effective alternative method for disposal of residual liquid wastes, especially those that would pose the greatest risks if disposed of by another method.

GWPC’s Direct Involvement with UIC Issues:

1) Mitigated parts of the Land Ban which would have banned all deep well disposal of hazardous waste in 1988

2) Determined difference between significant and non-significant compliance for Class I & II wells

3) Provided leadership in definition of wastes eligible for disposal in Class I & II wells

4) Conducted a national survey on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on ground water quality

How the GWPC Uses Support

Support provides GWPC with the means to conduct independent technical and policy studies that can be used to ensure that "sound science" is applied in national rule making that effects state and federal ground water and underground injection programs.

Benefits of GWPC Support

As a supporter of the GWPC you meet and communicate with representatives of the state and federal agencies that administer regulations.  As a supporter of GWPC your input is welcomed as we consider technical issues, rules, and legislation affecting the national UIC programs.

You also have access to GWPC’S extensive library containing one of the most comprehensive bibliographies of underground injection topics.

Supporter Application

For more information contact the GWPC Support Coordinator, Len Erikson.

 

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