The National Groundwater Association has updated its certification program for groundwater professionals and is now accepting applications. The CGWP designation confirms a deep understanding and background in subjects related to groundwater.

"This certification provides a solid credential to a groundwater professional because it attests to a depth and breadth of experience and knowledge regarding groundwater," said Kathy Butcher, NGWA director of Learning and Knowledge. "Also, it demonstrates the designee's commitment to ongoing learning.”

NGWA’s new program updates one begun in 1986. It requires on-the-job experience and continuing education in the following core competencies, as they relate to groundwater:

• Hydrogeology and hydraulics
• Geochemistry
• Modeling
• Remediation
• Geology and geomorphology
• Scientific writing and presentation
• Ethics

"The CGWP designation provides an incentive for the professional to grow and an incentive to the client to do business with that professional," Butcher said.

The group says the CGWP designation should particularly interest those without credentials in engineering or geology; professions with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in geosciences who want to grow their expertise; and regulatory personnel with geoscience backgrounds.

Get details at www.ngwa.org/cgwp or call 800-551-7379 ext. 601.

NGWA is a nonprofit that supports responsible development, management and use of water resources. It’s comprised of groundwater professionals ranging from contractors to equipment manufacturers to scientists and engineers. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org.