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DENR Introduces the Private Well Water Education Act
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Last month, the North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources (NC DENR) introduced a new bill entitled the Private Well Water Education Act (H.B. 396). According to Secretary John Skvarla, the purpose of the bill is to, "provide a framework for local health departments to use to help citizens test their private wells." Specifically, the goal of the bill is to establish general guidelines for the timing and methodology to be used for testing private water wells for the presence of bacteria or other contaminants.
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 Image from www.nmtracking.org |
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Private water wells are abundant throughout the state of North Carolina, and many well owners are unaware of how often to test their water, or the specific types of tests that are important to perform. DENR has introduced this new bill to educate not only existing well owners, but also residents who are proposing to construct new supply wells, on drinking water standards and the availability, scope, and limitations of required and optional testing (information obtained from the March 21, 2013 news release at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest/news-releases).
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Below are some of the key points that are written into the bill. The bill in its entirety can be found here: (Click Here for Link to NCLeg.net)
- The Commission for Public Health (CPH) shall adopt rules governing the sampling and testing of well water and reporting of test results
- Local departments can designate third parties to collect and test samples and report test results
- The CPH may require testing for additional parameters, including volatile organic compounds, if the CPH finds that this testing is necessary to protect public health
- Should a rule for testing of specific volatile organic compounds be initiated by the CPH, they will consider factors such as
- Current and historic land uses around well sites and associated contaminants
- Known contaminated sites within a given radius of a well and any known data
- Any GIS based information on known contamination sources from databases available to DENR
- Visual on-site inspection of well sites
- Local health departments will educate private citizens for whom new drinking water wells are being constructed on all of the following:
- The scope of testing required
- Available optional testing
- Testing limitations
- Minimum drinking water standards
Should the bill become law, Pyramid will be here to answer any of your questions and to assist with testing and analysis, should you or someone you know require it.
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Stay Connected!
Pyramid is a GSA Contract Holder! Contact us to find out more about GSA contracts and our experience with government contract procurement. |
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Additional Info Regarding Natural Gas in North Carolina
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Last month we presented an image of the Deep River Basin in North Carolina as part of our article discussing hydraulic fracturing in the state. We were informed by the North Carolina Geological Survey NCGS) that the image originated from one of their own publications, and we would like to provide credit to this source. To view a list of all current NCGS natural gas publications, please click the link below. Thank you to the NCGS for the information, and for the continued research into our state's resources.
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Research Triangle Park Updates Their Master Plan
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Recently, a member of Pyramid's staff attended a breakfast sponsored by the North Carolina section of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). The event was held at the Research Triangle Park (RTP) Foundation headquarters building here in North Carolina. The event showcased the recent progress made in updating the master plan for RTP. This month we provide a summary of those plans.
RTP - Facts and the New Master Plan:
- RTP was founded in 1959 to establish an area that linked business, technology, and education within a central location.
- Currently, RTP consists of 7,000 acres of green space intermixed with technology companies.
- The goal of the new master plan is to update the infrastructure, design, and technology within the park so that it continues to be among the top locations throughout the world for business technology and education partnerships.
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 | | Image obtained from www.scienceprogress.org |
A summary of the goals associated with the new master plan, obtained from the RTP Foundation's website at http://www.rtp.org/about-rtp/planning-and-progress , is as follows:
- Retain existing firms, many of whom like the pastoral character of RTP but want to see more services and amenities
- Attract a broader range of tenants, with the understanding that small entrepreneurial firms are often looking for different facilities than what the Park currently offers
- Continue to draw large companies, which can remain a core market for RTP even as new types of development are introduced
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Efforts to expand the infrastructure will also preserve green space, resulting in focused areas of increased development (nodes) surrounded by preserved natural areas that RTP is known for. Updates will also be made to the landscaping throughout the park, and additional amenities will be developed to create a living and working environment more in line with the 21st century.
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 | | Image obtained from www.shoeboxed.com |
The Foundation has already procured a team of developers to work on the plan, led by Coopers, Robertson & Partners. According to the news released during the RTP breakfast attended by Pyramid, opportunities for local firms to assist in all aspects of development will be available in the future. General zoning changes have already been approved by Wake and Durham counties.
The RTP website (www.rtp.org) provides regular updates to this exciting project. Pyramid will continue to keep you informed about changes and advancements in the master plan for the park.
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Need to know what's underground?
- Geologic Hazards
- Geotechnical Drilling
- Landfills
- USTs
- Geologic Mapping
- Groundwater
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 | April's Joke
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Dear ,
Pyramid maintains the most up-to-date knowledge of the industry's regulations, changes, and events, and we will continue to pass this information along to YOU.
Once again, thank you to all our loyal customers, vendors, and employees for your continued support . Pyramid can't do it without you.
Sincerely,
DOUG CANAVELLO
Pyramid Environmental
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