Features Sustainability Water Issues
New guidance issued to reduce methane

Nov. 22, 2013, Westerville, OH – The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) has issued a new best practices document for dealing with methane gas water well systems.

Intended to give guidance to water well system professionals, Reduce and Mitigate Problematic Concentrations of Methane in Residential Water Well Systems may also be of value to well owners, though professional assistance is strongly encouraged due to health and safety concerns.

NGWA's suggested practices includes:

· Information on the occurrence and geological implications of methane

· Methodologies for well construction

· Well operation considerations

· Analysis methods for detecting methane in ground water

· Procedures to mitigate the presence of methane

· Health and safety information relating to methane

The document states that proper construction and regular maintenance of water wells are important to reducing risks to ground water and protecting public health. If there are concerns about the presence of methane in a residential water well, the water supply should be tested. Testing should be performed by a certified drinking water testing laboratory.

To download a PDF of the report, visit the NGWA online bookstore.