Ohio's State Coordinating Committee on Ground Water

Our mission is to promote and guide the implementation of a coordinated, comprehensive and effective ground water protection and management program for the State of Ohio.

 

Ohio’s State Coordinating Committee on Ground Water (Ohio SCCGW) was created in 1992, to promote and guide the implementation of a statewide coordinated, comprehensive and effective ground water protection and management program. Ohio's SCCGW is a subcommittee of the Ohio Water Resources Council, and is composed of ground water technical or management staff from seven state agencies, two federal agencies, and The Ohio State University Extension office. Ohio SCCGW bi-monthly meetings are open to the public, and meeting summaries are distributed to a large group of stakeholders. Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters is the designated information officer for the committee.

 Features
 
2019 Meeting Schedule and Summaries (click on date for summary)
(all meetings begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Feb. 21

ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
April 18 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
June 20 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
Aug. 14  Ohio Water Development Authority, 480 South High Street, Columbus (Meeting begins at 9:00)
Oct. 17 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
Dec. 19 TBD
   

 

 

Archived Meeting Summaries

(Bi-monthly meetings began in 2006)

2018

2018 Meeting Schedule and Summaries (click on date for summary)
(all meetings begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Feb. 15

ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
April 19 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
June 21 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
Aug. 16  ODNR Horace Collins Lab
Oct. 18 ODNR Bldg C, Poverty Run Conference Room
Dec. 20 Panera Bread, 300 West Lane Avenue, Columbus
   

2017

2017 Meeting Schedule and Summaries (click on date for summary)
(all meetings begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Feb. 16
 ODNR Bldg E, Assembly Center East
April 20
 ODNR Bldg E, Assembly Center East
June 15
 ODNR Bldg H, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Aug. 17
ODNR Horace Collins Lab
Oct. 19
 ODNR Bldg E, Assembly Center East
Dec. 14 Panera, 300 West Lane Avenue, Columbus
   

2016

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 18, 2016
April 21, 2016
June 16, 2016
Aug. 18, 2016 <cancelled>
Oct. 20, 2016
Dec. 15, 2016
 

2015

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 19, 2015
April 16, 2015
June 18, 2015
Aug. 20, 2015
Oct. 15, 2015
Dec. 14, 2015
 

2014

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 20, 2014
April - No meeting
June 19, 2014
Aug. 21, 2014
Oct. 16, 2014
Dec. 18, 2014 (no notes)
 

2013

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 21, 2013
April 18, 2013
June 20, 2013
Aug. 15, 2013
Oct. 17, 2013
Dec. 20, 2013
 

2012

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 16, 2012
April - No meeting notes
June 21, 2012
Aug. 16, 2012
Oct. 18, 2012
Dec. 21, 2014
 

2011

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 17, 2011
April 21, 2011
June 16, 2011
Aug. 23, 2011
Oct. 20, 2011
Dec. 15, 2011
 

2010

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 18, 2010
April 15, 2010
June 17, 2010
Aug. 19, 2010
Oct. 21, 2010
Dec. 17, 2010
 

2009

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 19, 2009
April 16, 2009
June 18, 2009
Aug. 20, 2009
Oct. 22, 2009
Dec. 17, 2009
 

2008

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Feb. 21, 2008
April 17, 2008
June 19, 2008
Aug. 21, 2008
Oct. 16, 2008
Dec. 18, 2008
 

2007

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
March 22, 2007
April 19, 2007
June 21, 2007
Aug. 16, 2007
Oct. 18, 2007
Dec. 20, 2014
 

2006

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Jan. 19, 2006
March 16, 2006
May 18, 2006
July 25, 2006
Oct. 19, 2006
Dec. 21, 2014
 

2005

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Jan. 20, 2005
Feb. 17, 2005
March - No meeting
April 21, 2005
May 19, 2005
June 16, 2005
July 21, 2005
August - No meeting
Sept. 15, 2005
October - No meeting
Nov. 17, 2005
Dec. 12, 2005
 

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Jan. 15, 1998
Feb. 19, 1998
March 19, 1998
April 16, 1998
May 21, 1998
June 18, 1998
July - No Meeting
Aug. 20, 1998
Sept. 17, 1998
Oct. 15, 1998
Nov. 12, 1998
December - No Meeting
 

1997

Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Jan. 16, 1997
Feb. 20, 1997
March 20, 1997
April 17, 1997
May 15, 1997
June 26, 1997
July 17, 1997 
August - No Meeting
Sept. 18, 1997 
Oct. , 16, 1997
Nov. 13, 1997
December - No Meeting
 

1996

 Click on the date to see the meeting notes:
Sept. 19, 1996
Nov. 21, 1996
 

Ohio’s State Coordinating Committee on Ground Waters consists of several state and federal government agencies:

Ohio Department of Health

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is responsible for programs that regulate the siting, design, operation and maintenance of private, residential water supply systems and sewage disposal systems which may have direct impact upon local ground water quality and drinking water safety.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) ground water-related activities include evaluating and interpreting ground water resources, as well as evaluating, managing and abating ground water pollution associated with mineral exploration, soil erosion and animal waste handling. The divisions within ODNR that have major ground water responsibilities include:

Ohio Department of Transportation

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Office of Environmental Services use an interdisciplinary scientific approach to providing education, training, technical expertise and policy development to federal, state and local governments for ODOT to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally compliant intermodal transportation system while encouraging best practices and pro-actively working toward consensus among transportation interests.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is a state agency whose goal is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Ohio EPA establishes and enforces standards for air, water, waste management and cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances. We also provide financial assistance to businesses and communities; environmental education programs for businesses and the public; and pollution prevention assistance to help businesses minimize their waste at the source. The divisions within Ohio EPA that have major ground water responsibilities include:

The Ohio State University Extension Office

OSU Extension is a dynamic educational entity that partners with individuals, families, communities, business and industry and organizations to strengthen the lives of Ohioans.

State Fire Marshal - Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations

In the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) is responsible for the registration of underground storage tanks (UST) for petroleum products and the implementation of rules for underground tank installation, testing, and abandonment. BUSTR staff investigate and direct UST removal and associated ground water cleanup activities in conjunction with local fire departments.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation and scenic beauty.

United States Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

The United States Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center collects, analyzes and interprets ground water data to further knowledge of the state’s ground water resources. Relevant research includes describing and evaluating water resources, mapping water levels, estimating ground water discharge from regional aquifers, modeling ground-water flow at various scales and collecting and interpreting water-quality data.

Well Water Interpretation Tool

Wondering if your well water is safe? A good first step is to have your water tested at a certified lab, but lab test results are not always easy to interpret. To help you out, OSU Extension has created the Know Your Water Well website to help drinking water well owners test, understand and protect their well water. The Ohio State University in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio EPA has developed a well interpretation tool. This tool provides interpretation of water test results you have received from a water testing laboratory.

Geothermal Wells in Ohio

Geothermal heating and cooling uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool homes and businesses with 40 percent to 70 percent less energy than conventional systems. In winter, the relative warmth from the ground or ground water is transferred to the building, and in summer the process is reversed and the heat of the building is transferred to the earth or ground water. Read more here.

Ohio Water Resources Council (OWRC)

The Ohio Water Resources Council (OWRC) was designed as a forum for policy development, collaboration and coordination among state agencies, and strategic direction with respect to state water resource programs. The application of knowledge and expertise to safeguard and manage Ohio’s water resources requires data and other information. These are produced and compiled by various government and non-government agencies. The continued collection of long-term water resources data, effective management of the data and easy access to data and information have been identified as a strategic issue.

Water resources data and information are critical to informed decision making by citizens, public officials, regulators, consultants, business and industry representatives. The result of not addressing this strategic need is increased cost, increased uncertainty and less than optimal decision making. For example, the loss of long-term stream gauges impacts the accuracy of flood frequency data that can cause underestimation or overestimation of flood risk. Either case can cost significantly in terms of dollars and at times the loss of life.

Ground Water Resources

Oil and Gas Drilling in the Marcellus and Utica Shales

Publications

National Programs

State and Local Programs

Ohio Conservancy Districts

Outreach

Rules

Ohio Water Facts

Water use table

 

  • Two-thirds of Ohio's borders are water (Lake Erie and the Ohio River).

  • Ohio enjoys more than 61,000 miles of rivers and streams.

  • Ohio has more than 125,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds covering nearly 265,000 acres.

  • Ohio has approximately 480,000 acres of wetlands.

  • Almost half of all Ohioans depend on ground water for drinking.

  • Nonpoint sources, such as poorly maintained septic systems, animal waste and pesticide runoff and physical alteration of streams, are now among the greatest threats to Ohio's water quality.

  • Ohio drains into both the Great Lakes and Mississippi basins.

 


Image reprinted from http://peoplepoweredmachines.wordpress.com/2010/05/

Goals

  • To promote public and private actions which lead to effective protection and management of ground water
  • To enhance communication and awareness among programs of state and local agencies and to the public
  • To identify common issues and linkages between various departments and their programs
  • To identify unaddressed water quality and quantity issues
  • To identify and initiate resolution of conflicts between program policies and objectives
  • To review and recommend revisions, as necessary, to state plans affecting ground water protection and management

Bylaws

Priority Actions

In 2005, the Ohio Water Resources Council released a 10-year Vision identifying strategic issues to further protect, manage and restore Ohio's water resources. From this, the SCCGW outlined their priorities in a Four-year Action Plan in 2007. Details are provided by clicking on the links below:

In 2010, SCCGW outlined their priorities and recommendations for the OWRC Four-year Action Plan.


 

 

Information Officer

Craig Smith
Ohio EPA, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
Email Craig
(614) 644-2752 Phone
(614) 644-2909 Fax

Chairman

Jim Raab
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Geological Survey
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. C-2
Columbus, OH 43229
Email Jim
(614) 265-6747 Phone

Vice-chairman

Craig Nelson
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Geological Survey
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. C-2
Columbus, OH 43229
Email Craig
(614) 265-6603 Phone