The Driller
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
  • EDUCATION
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
  • SUBMIT
  • ABOUT
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Water
  • Geothermal
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Mining
  • All Industry News
  • EQUIPMENT
  • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
  • Consumables
  • Pumps
  • Featured Products
  • VIDEOS
  • Newscast
  • Drill Talks
  • Ask Brock
  • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
  • Drilling Business Insights
  • Reference Desk
  • Sponsored Insights
  • EVENTS
  • Conferences & Demo Days
  • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
  • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Advertise
The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
MarketsIndustrial DrillingWater Wells

The 3 Big Issues Affecting Drilling, Groundwater

Keep an Eye on these Issues Affecting the Industry

By Jeremy Verdusco
drilling industry advocacy

The Water Systems Council advocates for issues important to users of private water wells and small, shared wells.

Source: Brock Yordy / The Driller File

Water Systems Council publications

WSC also publishes materials to help those in the groundwater industry, as well as their customers.

Source: Water Systems Council / The Driller file

drilling industry advocacy
Water Systems Council publications
August 17, 2022

The Driller crew recently attended the 2022 South Atlantic Jubilee, which wrapped up Aug. 1 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While there, we spoke to Water Systems Council legal adviser Jesse Richardson. The longtime groundwater advocate told Driller Newscast anchor Brock Yordy about the three big water issues he’s following.

Our interview with Richardson appeared on Driller Newscast episode 23. Read his three big issues below and sign up here to get fresh episodes of the Newscast in your inbox every Monday morning.

Learn how geotechnical drill rigs position companies for increased productivity and rig utilization.
Sponsored by Geoprobe.


WOTUS and Sackett v. EPA

Number one: waters of the United States (WOTUS). Every time a new presidential administration comes in, they change the regulations that define what Waters of the United States are. Why do we care? What that is, is under the Clean Water Act, the EPA, and the [U.S. Army] Corps of Engineers have authority to regulate discharges to waters of the United States. If groundwater is a “water of the United States,” conceivably well contractors could have to get a permit from the federal government to drill a well. So we have conflicting definitions from the regulatory agencies and now … the United States Supreme Court recently decided that they’re going to hear the Sackett case, which is spot-on to, how do we figure out what is a “water of the United States”? We’re expecting that’s going to be heard [with] oral arguments and in October, November. Then in early 2023, we should have a decision of some type.


Fallout from County of Maui v. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

The second thing, and it’s related to that: There was a decision about two years ago in Maui County. It said if, in certain circumstances, you put a contaminant into the ground, where it seeps into the ground — it could be a septic tank, could be anything — and it goes through the groundwater into a navigable water, you might have to get a permit. The United States Supreme Court gave us a very confusing test on that (in County of Maui v. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund), and now the lower courts are trying to figure out what that means. Again, we had the Trump EPA give some guidance. President Biden’s EPA has revoked that and is coming up with some of their own that we’re waiting for.


Western U.S. Droughts

The third of my big three is the drought in the West. We’ve got a lot going on, but it’s the biggest drought in 1,200 years. The Colorado River is dry and we’re cutting back water to Arizona, California and other states. The California governor just issued a sweeping executive order to make sure that water wells that are drilled now are not going to interfere with other wells, and are going to be sustainable. … We’re also looking at probably new regulation in Arizona.

Those are the really big three things that are happening. It’s moving fast and we might know some things by December, but more likely early 2023. Keep up with this and if you see something in your local area, let your state association know. Let us, the Water Systems Council, know and we will do the best we can to try to help the industry have a voice.

Water Systems Council

The Water Systems Council is a non-profit that focuses on issues and availability surrounding private and small, shared water well systems. For more information, visit www.watersystemscouncil.org.

KEYWORDS: drought water industry water well drilling water well regulations WOTUS

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jeremy verdusco 200px

Jeremy Verdusco worked as Editorial Director for The Driller from late 2012 through early 2024. He’s worked in publishing since 1997, including stints as a reporter, copy editor, page designer and technical writer.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • geotechnical drilling rig

    6 Onsite Phrases Environmental Drillers Hate

    Here are six phrases that highlight common frustrations...
    The Underground Network
    By: Jeff Garby
  • Wayne Nash

    Pipe Stuck? Common Causes and Solutions for Drillers

    If you have drilled for any length of time, sooner or...
    World According to Wayne
    By: Wayne Nash
  • submersible pumps, water well pumps

    Selecting and Sizing Submersible Pump Cable

    This article helps pump installers and servicers decide...
    Equipment
    By: Bob Pelikan
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The Driller audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The Driller or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit
    Sponsored byGeoprobe

    Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

Popular Stories

MainPhotoTwoBrothers.jpg

Two Brothers' Journey Through the Drilling Industry

demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit

Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

AI and Drought Concerns

AI’s Growing Thirst for Water and Power

The Driller Classifieds

COMPRESSORS

EAST WEST MACHINERY & DRILLING IS BUYING AND SELLING AIR COMPRESSORS, AIR BOOSTERS, AIR ENDS & PARTS
Company: East West Machinery

DRILL RIGS

LOOKING FOR LATE MODEL TOPHEADS & DRILLTECH D25'S
Company: Spikes’s Rig Sales

DRILL RIG PARTS

MEETING DRILLERS NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD
Company: East West Machinery

ELEVATORS

SEMCO INC. PIPE ELEVATORS
Company: Semco Inc.

GROUTERS

GROUTING EQUIPMENT - GROUT PUMPS & GROUT HOSE REELS
Company: Geo-Loop Inc.

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO INC. - BASIC PUMP HOISTS
Company: Semco Inc.

WELL PACKERS

LANSAS PRODUCTS - INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS
Company: Vanderlans Lansas Products

WELL SCREENS

WELL SCREENS & SLOTTED PIPE
Company: Alloy Screen Works

Products

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

By carefully explaining both the underlying theory and the underlying mathematics, this text enables readers to fully grasp the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment processes for water and wastewater.

See More Products

Subscribe to The Driller Newscast

Related Articles

  • The Driller Newscast episode 23: Drilling Safety plus the 3 Biggest Water Issues

    Drilling Safety plus the 3 Biggest Water Issues

    See More
  • making financial decisions for your drilling business

    In Detail: 3 Things About Drilling Fleet Expansion

    See More
  • Great Salt Lake

    Shrinking Salt Lake a Sign of Big Water Challenges Ahead

    See More
×
The Water Systems Council advocates for issues important to users of private water wells and small, shared wells. Source: Brock Yordy / The Driller File
WSC also publishes materials to help those in the groundwater industry, as well as their customers. Source: Water Systems Council / The Driller file

Dig deeper into the drilling and water supply industry!

Build your knowledge with The Driller, covering the people, equipment and technologies across drilling markets.

SIGN UP NOW
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Classifieds
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP