The Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals presented its annual meeting in the state capital of Springfield, March 3-5.

The Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals (IAGP) presented its annual meeting in the state capital of Springfield, March 3-5. The general tenor of the meeting was both upbeat and business-like -- a nod to the professionalism and commitment of those in attendance.

Fifteen educational sessions provided ample opportunity to stay abreast of developments in DOT and OSHA issues, well rehabilitation, grouting, soil cuttings, pumps and motors, and more. Approximately 40 booths in the exhibit area let drillers check out the latest supplier offerings.

One of the big topics at the business meeting concerned closed-loop heat wells. These systems are sources of water well contamination, and they are unregulated with no records kept. The general consensus among drillers: "While we don't want to restrict trade, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed."

The association expresses much gratitude to the sponsors of the 2002 event -- Aermotor Pumps, Bradford Supply, Foremost Industries, HOK Sales, Amtrol and Tri-State Tubular. We'll add our thanks to the companies -- Larson-Becker, Preferred Pump and Wilmar Pump -- that took care of the hospitality suite action; much fun was had, indeed.

The following new officers were elected to 2002-2003 terms:

President -- Robert Albrecht, Albrecht Well Drilling, Ohio, Ill.
Vice President -- Larry Lyons, Lyons Well Drilling, Stockton. Ill
Secretary -- Jim Layton, Kickapoo Drilling, Downs, Ill.
Treasurer -- Steve Snelton, A&C Snelton Inc., Barrington, Ill.

Congratulations and good luck to this new leadership team.

Looking ahead to next year, the IAGP will moving up its 2003 annual meeting a little bit to the end of February. It will be held at the Clock Tower in Rockford, Ill., and as soon as specifics are available, we'll pass along that information.