Citizen Science and the Citizen Groundwater/ Surfacewater Database

Citizen Science and the Citizen Groundwater/ Surfacewater Database
The Concept- The Need- The Purpose

The Private Well Owner Outreach Program in Pennsylvania

by Mr. Brian Oram, PGFor the past 20+ years, I have been conducting water quality analysis, baseline tesint, and conducting education programs for the citizens of Pennsylvania. Even though our groundwater resources are one of our most important assets, there is limited data on the quality and quantity of regional groundwater. While working at Wilkes University, I held establish the formation of a "Citizen" Groundwater and Surfacewater Database. Even though I no longer work full-time at Wilkes University, I am working with Dr. Brian Redmond and Dr. Sid Halsor on the development, formation, and creation of this community tool. This regional water quality database is an unbiased warehouse of water quality data that is supported by fellow "Citizens" of this Commonwealth. After reviewing this information, I would hope you will take action and support the Citizens Groundwater and Surfacewater Database.

The database will provide information about the current state of groundwater and surface water quality and serve as a basis for monitoring impacts related to Marcellus gas drilling and other activity in our region. The database initiative is the first of its kind in northeast Pennsylvania and the initial database targeted private wells in Luzerne and Columbia Counties, but we are reaching out to build partnerships throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania so the database can include other counties in the area, i.e., Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Wayne, and Wyoming (Resource: Initial Press Release dated –August 17, 2010).

The purpose of our database is twofold. We will use it to help us better understand the current and future groundwater and surface water quality for the region. The database will also be used to generate educational materials relating to regional water quality. The database is for research and education purposes, and will not be sold or used for any commercial purpose. The database is managed by representatives of the Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Department at Wilkes University, i.e., Dr. Brian Redmond and Dr. Sid Halsor.

To protect your privacy, the research database file will only include the testing results, zip code, general information on well or water source, and the latitude and longitude of the sampling site. Your name, address, or other contact information will NOT be included within the database.

This is what citizens are saying about this service and community resource:

"WOW! I can’t thank you enough. My only regret is that you are not here to do the rest of the tests for my community. If all this drilling wasn’t coming here, I would be begging you to bring the family here." (Darlington, Pa)
"KUDOs to Brian and others for putting the concept together" (Wayne County, PA)
"Thank you for a most informative discussion last night. I think it may have opened many eyes and minds to well contamination issues already in the community" (Regional Task Force, PA).


II. More Information or Host a Community Event
If you have not conducted baseline analysis and have questions about the testing process and suggested parameters please go to Submit Your Questions or Request for Assistance. Send a copy of your water quality data or host a community meeting where the water quality data could be compiled. To request a community meeting - email brian.oram@wilkes.edu or bfenviro@ptd.net. Please put Citizen Database in Subject.
III. Guidelines for Data Submission (Data Qualifications)


For your data to be included in the database, it will need to meet the following criteria.
1. For inclusion in the water quality database, the water sample must have been collected using an independent third party for the sample collection and following the chain-of-custody process.
2. The testing must have been conducted by a certified laboratory which provided you with a copy of the certified results including a listing of methods, method detection limits, and reporting limits.
3. The field survey must include the GPS position of the well or you must grant permission for us to visit your property to document the GPS position of your well.

4. The field survey should include the static water level in the well prior to purging the system or you must grant permission for us to visit your property to determine if the static water level can be documented.

5. The water sample must be collected ahead of any water treatment system.
6. If the sample was collected after natural gas drilling within 1000 feet of the well – this should be stated on the information request sheet.

Terms:

Chain-of-Custody – Is typically a document that tracks the sample from the time of collection to delivery to the certified laboratory and any subsequent releases of the sample to other laboratories for analysis.
Certified Laboratory – a laboratory that has been approved and certified by the Pennsylvania Laboratory Accreditation Program for the specific testing parameters and methods of analysis.

III. My Data Qualifies – What Do I Need To Do? - ACT NOW - Get the Forms you NEED!
In order to participate in this process, please do the following:
1. Information Document about the Program (Please Keep for Your Reference).
2. Download a copy of the Consent Form and Return/Signed.
3. Send a copy of your certified laboratory testing results with Chain-of-Custody Documents. (Download Data Qualification Requirements)

4. Mail this information to:
Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Citizen Outreach Program
15 Hillcrest Drive
Dallas, PA 18612

Questions - call (570) 335-1947
or send a pdf version by email to brian.oram@wilkes.edu or bfenviro@ptd.net.

5. Schedule a Community Event - This includes a presentation on the database, suggestions for baseline testing, discuss on Methane Gas Migration, initial review of the data, and then submitting individual summaries of the results to the citizens.
6. Participate in the PA Private Well Owner and Watershed Survey

To Learn More - Go Here NOW.

Thanks







Brian Oram, PG

Citizen of Pennsylvania



Web Portals



Looking for Free Information on Water Quality- Try the Water-Research.net

Our Facebook Sites - B.F. Environmental Consultants - Water Research Center

Community Information Presentations Concerning: The Water We Drink, Private Wells and Marcellus Shale Community Education

Community Information Presentations Concerning:

The Water We Drink

Open to the Public,
Reserve a seat with an email to WATER@ELROSE.ORG or call 570 663 2346

Date: Thursday September 1, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PA
Location: Silver Lake Municipal Building, Wilkes Barre Tpke

Brackney, PA 18812

Three Speakers from Wilkes University



Institute for Energy and Environmental Research of Northeastern Pennsylvania



Brian Oram- Professional Geologist - B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.

Title: Getting the Water Tested- The Marcellus Shale Factor
http://www.water-research.net/
This is a review of the local geology and baseline water quality for the region. The program discusses challenges that face private well owners prior to or outside of issues related to Marcellus Shale and additional concerns related to Marcellus Shale development. The presentation will highlight the available water quality data for the region, how groundwater can be protected, actions that can be taken by citizens, resources that are available for citizens, and general information on baseline testing for your private water source and water resources.
This talk will be a preliminary presentation of our work in Susquehanna county and will demonstrate the differences in the analysis data from continuous monitoring and grab sampling. We will also discuss how a citizen’s monitoring program can supplement larger programs.



Dr. Tom Barnard – IEER Director: Water Monitoring in Susquehanna County
At Wilkes University, the IEER is building a database of historical and ongoing surface water monitoring programs in the region potentially impacted by Marcellus gas production activities. The sponsoring programs include the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, United States Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, county conservation districts, researchers and volunteer watershed associations. We are using geospatial analysis tools to analyze how watershed characteristics, land uses, and human activities impact water quality. These will be used to evaluate the ability of current monitoring programs to detect and quantify the impacts of gas production on small and medium size streams in Pennsylvania. We will conduct monitoring at locations where gaps exist.



Erich Schramm – IEER Community Outreach Coordinator
History and mission of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research of Northeastern Pennsylvania
84 W South Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18766
energy.wilkes.edu

570) 408-5543 (office)

Citizens Unite - Compile Your Water Quality Data - PA NEEDS YOUR Help

Citizens - there are more private wells than public water supplies in Pennsylvania.  In many regions, the natural gas companies have conducted baseline testing and have returned the data to you.  The problem is that the industry has the data and can easily compile, but for citizens they are lacking an explanation of the data and it is not being compiled.  We need to work together to protect our groundwater and surfacewater resources.

To help - send NO Money - All that is being asked is as follows:

1. Send a copy of your water quality data or host a community meeting where the water quality data could be compiled.  To request a community meeting - email brian.oram@wilkes.edu or bfenviro@ptd.net.
Please put Citizen Database in Subject.

2. Release the data to the Citizens Groundwater / Surfacewater Database at Wilkes University.  Here is the information sheet.
3. Email the information to the addresses above or send a hardcopy to

Mr. Brian Oram, PG
Citizen Outreach Program
15 Hillcrest Drive
Dallas, PA 18612

4. You get a review of your data for free and you can be sure your data will help track water quality change in the region.

Also - Let Your Voice be Heard on Marcellus Issues - Complete the
New Marcellus Shale Survey for Watershed Groups and Private Well Owners
Information is being used to update a NEW Free Booklet on Groundwater - We really need YOUR input.

To learn more about this FREE Program - Go Here NOW !

Please act now. 
Thanks for your consideration

Brian Oram, PG
bfenviro@ptd.net

marcellus shale groundwater contamination ?