This year, March also will be a time of change and new beginnings for me.

This issue of National Driller marks the last time my name and photo will appear in this space as editor, as I have resigned to pursue some special personal interests, including relocating elsewhere and marrying the woman of my dreams.

In this, my swan song issue, you'll find valuable information on drinking water safety, changes in EPA rules, pump technology developments, emerging HDD markets and much more.

The eight months that I have served as editor have been a great experience for me, and I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve the industry.

When I joined the National Driller staff last May, I knew almost nothing about the drilling industry, but during the past few months, I have been fortunate to have gained a vast amount of knowledge and appreciation for the industry and its importance.

I also have developed great respect for everyone who has chosen the drilling industry as their life's work. That respect especially extends to the water well drillers who are willing to work whether it's hot or cold, rain or shine, and do whatever is necessary to provide clean, fresh water for their customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It has been a special pleasure for me to meet so many of you at national, regional, and state meetings around the country, and to hear the things you've had to say about National Driller. Far more often than not, those comments have been positive and supportive of our efforts to provide the best and most informative publication in the drilling industry.

Much of the credit for helping make National Driller the industry's best-read publication goes to our outstanding corps of contributing editors. All of them are successful professionals in their fields, and I appreciate each of them writing their monthly columns to educate, enlighten, and entertain our thousands of readers.

Without the support of our many display and classified advertisers, National Driller could not have grown into the industry-leading magazine it is today, and I want to thank those of you who have helped me obtain information for stories and answered countless questions to help educate me about the industry.

I owe all of you a heartfelt thank you for your help and support for me and for National Driller, and I hope you will be equally as supportive and helpful for the incoming editor, Greg Ettling.

We reported in our January 2001 Legislative Update "Well Restrictions Set In Arizona," this should have read "Well Restrictions Set In New Mexico." We apologize for any confusion resulting from this mistake.

Farewell and thanks for everything,

Danny Lewis

National Driller's Editor