Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals News

A Lot Going On

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:43:22 GMT

Verify that you paid your dues.

The IAGP Board of Directors met earlier this month as we continue to plan and work together to better the IAGP. Here are a few quick things to share with you before we head back to our job boards, rigs, and trucks:

Have you paid your dues? Not sure? Give the IAGP office a call or check your profile on the IAGP website at www.iagp.org to verify as well as update your information.
1. Ever wonder just why and what your dues go to? Let me share with you a couple of thoughts.

i. First, membership dues help keep us afloat and offer education classes that provide CEUs

ii. They help deal with office stuff as well such as administrative tasks like fees, bills etc.

iii. Membership dues help us stay active in Springfield. This is no easy task by any means. With a legislative session such as ours, we have to have people watching out for our interests at all times. Lobbyists relationships are ongoing and they make a difference.

iv. Your dues support and help us be “Better Together”

Are you wondering about taking the state exams? Remember, the IAGP does not administer this. Here is a link to the Department’s website. Under the “Forms” heading, there is a link for “Examination Application for Water Well License.” The next exam is scheduled for 9 a.m. on October 16 in Springfield.
Speaking of education, we will hold our Annual Convention and Trade Show February 11-12, 2027, in Peoria. We are working on registration forms now and will have them mailed out and available online in the coming weeks.
Please reach out to our staff or me if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to participate in the direction of the IAGP. Remember that this is your association.

That’s it for this edition. I know how busy everyone is and I thank you for being a member. We are certainly Better Together, and we continue to have open ears for you, the membership.

MARK J. LAYTEN
PRESIDENT, IAGP

Let Us Know What You Think

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:50:21 GMT

Please comment on the new newsletter format

As you can see, the Association has modified its newsletter. The new system now seamlessly connects to the association management database which has streamlined office workflows. We are continuing to work on the look and functionality of the newsletter and welcome your feedback. Please let us know of any suggestions you have in which you think it can better serve its members.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Overview

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:27:26 GMT

Make sure you understand the different benefits that are part of worker’s comp..

Companies purchase workers’ compensation insurance to cover expenses that result from employees becoming injured on the job as well as employees who experience occupational diseases caused by work.

The coverage includes the following benefits:
Medical treatments
Disability benefits
Vocational rehabilitation
Death benefits.
It is important for companies to understand the different types of benefits that employees can receive under workers’ compensation coverage. By doing so, employers can monitor their workers’ compensation claims and save money, while also providing a better claim experience for their employees.

Medical Benefits
Medical benefits are the benefits that are paid out by a company’s workers’ compensation insurance policy for an employee’s medical treatment. This coverage pays for the medical treatment necessary to treat the employee’s work-related injury.

Any medical treatment that the employee receives will be covered, so long as it is considered medically necessary or reasonable to treat the work-related injury. Alternative medicine treatments are normally not covered by workers’ compensation coverage.

There are specific statutory requirements and limitations for types of medical treatments covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but these requirements vary by state.

Disability Benefits
There are several different disability benefits available for employees under workers’ compensation coverage, known as wage replacement benefits. These benefits take the place of the employee’s wages if they are out of work due to a work-related injury or the benefits are a supplement to an employee’s wages while they are unable to return to work in full capacity due to the work-related injury. These benefits include:

Temporary Total Disability (TTD): These benefits are used when an employee must take off of work completely until they have healed and are able to return to work per a physician’s medical release. Each state’s percentage paid can vary, so it is important to check the state the workers’ compensation claim is filed in. Once the employee is able to return to work, these benefits are discontinued.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): These benefits apply when an employee is allowed to return to work in a limited capacity per a physician’s order. This can mean the employee might work for fewer hours or in a different type of job role (e.g., transitioning to light-duty tasks). Once the employee is able to return to work at full capacity, these benefits are discontinued.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): These benefits are used when an employee has a permanent disability but is still able to continue working in a limited capacity. The percentage rating of an employee’s disability is determined when the employee has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning the employee is not going to improve from the injury any further. A physician then determines the severity of the disability and assigns a percentage.

An employee will not be able to work in the role they did prior to the injury and will have to switch job roles to accommodate their disability. PPD may also require shorter workdays or other work restrictions.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD): These benefits apply when an employee reaches MMI and is unable to return to work in any capacity due to becoming permanently disabled by their work-related injury. This decision has to be made by a physician.

The employee will be given a disability rating and must qualify for PTD, which varies by state. In most states, these benefits apply to the loss of body parts as well. These benefits will run until there is a settlement reached or the employee is able to collect Medicare. Each state has its own laws concerning workers’ compensation benefits, so employers should seek legal counsel for specific questions.

In any workers’ compensation case, the restrictions of the employee should be determined by a treating physician.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
If an employee has been injured and is not able to return to their previous job due to a work-related injury, vocational rehabilitation benefits can help them reenter the job market. These benefits provide services such as:
Career planning
Job placement
Skills training.

These benefits are meant to help employees return to work when they would otherwise be unable to do so. The services provided by these benefits vary by state.

Death and Dependency Benefits
These benefits are paid out when an employee is killed from a work-related accident or injury or experiences an occupational disease that results in death. Depending on the state in which the employee was employed, a surviving spouse or relative may be eligible to receive compensation to make up for the decedent’s wages. The amount of compensation received and how long the benefits last will depend on the state in which the benefits are being paid.

Depending on the state, dependent children can also receive additional benefits. Normally, such children must be under the age of 18 or continue to be dependent on their parents after the age of 18 due to mental or physical impairment or incapacity.

Another expense that workers’ compensation insurance provides through death benefits is funeral expenses. If an employee is killed in a work-related accident or due to an occupational disease, they will have either a portion or all of their funeral expenses paid for. The amount paid varies by state.

The Importance of Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Employers should understand all aspects of a workers’ compensation claim, as it will allow them to have conversations with their employees regarding workers’ compensation benefits. By understanding the claim process, employers can effectively speak with affected employees concerning any claim-related questions that may arise. If an employer is unable to answer these questions, they should consult their workers’ compensation insurance carrier to figure out the answers.

Another reason that understanding the workers’ compensation claim process is important is that it affects a company’s bottom line. By understanding the different components of a workers’ compensation claim, an employer can review the cost of the claim, and understand which benefits are being paid and why.

Overall, understanding the entire workers’ compensation claim process—specifically, which benefits employees can receive—can allow an employer to leverage their workers’ compensation policy effectively and minimize claim-related expenses.

Dandelion Energy grows nationwide financing capacity with launch of "Geo-as-a-Service" offering

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:24:45 GMT

Offering is designed to accelerate geothermal growth across the country.
Dandelion Energy announced the expansion of its financing offerings with a strategic partnership with Diverso Energy, the leading provider of geothermal services in Canada.

Diverso Energy is majority-owned by CVC DIF, the infrastructure strategy arm of CVC, will provide financing and access to investment tax credits for residential developments with Dandelion nationwide.

The announcement includes the launch of Dandelion's Geo-as-a-Service program to provide builders nationwide with a zero-upfront-cost pathway to the most efficient, effective, and durable home heating and cooling solution available. The partnership signals significant validation of the U.S. geothermal market and will accelerate geothermal adoption across the country.

The expansion of Dandelion's financing capacity follows its fall 2025 launch of the first-of-its-kind leasing program that allows builders to install geothermal heating and cooling for less than a standard HVAC system. Dandelion's announcement includes a new geothermal infrastructure investment in the United States, expands its current lease available in 14 states to a full national offering, and provides new, flexible financing options.

By leveraging Third-Party Ownership (TPO) structures, Dandelion removes the up-front capital expenditure, which has been the primary barrier to geothermal adoption. Dandelion enables builders to:

Eliminate up-front costs: Install geothermal systems at or below the cost of traditional, less efficient HVAC units
Boost profitability and sales velocity: Builders can offer a high-performance home that differentiates them in the market
Future-proof compliance: Geothermal systems easily meet and exceed tightening energy codes and efficiency standards without complex workarounds.

Under this model, Dandelion and its partner Diverso finance, install, and own the geothermal system, providing the builder with a turnkey solution that delivers significant benefits to homebuyers. This solution will provide homebuyers across the country with access to the premium home heating and cooling technology.

The Geo-as-a-Service offering enables homeowner access to geothermal through a simple service payment designed to be in line with their significant utility bill savings, which is cash flow positive from day one.

The Geo-as-a-Service model is supported by legislative provisions, such as those preserved in H.R. 1, which enable third-party ownership models and maintain the Commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for geothermal energy.

"Dandelion's Geo-as-a-Service model will be a catalyst for the industry's affordability, accessibility, and scalability," said Dandelion Energy CEO Dan Yates. "We are thrilled to be able to deliver a superior, premium product to builders without increasing their costs and make geothermal accessible to more homeowners than ever before."

EPA announces it won't set nationwide standards for data centers

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:21:46 GMT

Notes that states and local governments are better suited to set standards.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the agency will not establish nationwide environmental requirements for the ever-growing data center industry, leaving water use, cooling system design, and air quality decisions to individual states and communities.

Speaking at the POLITICO Energy Summit, Zeldin argued that states and local governments are better suited for developing environmental standards and regulations due to the many differences in water availability, energy infrastructure, and air quality across different regions.

It has long been expected that the EPA would adopt this hands-off approach as the administration believes new data centers are crucial for national security and economic growth. But states across the country have been busy developing standards in place of federal rules. More than 30 states have passed legislation to regulate data centers and require more transparency from their operators.

Zeldin and the EPA remain confident that companies will voluntarily address water usage on their own. He pointed to the adoption of closed-loop cooling designs, which use significantly less water than traditional evaporative systems. Large technology companies, such as Google and Amazon, have begun to address concerns about their water usage with plans to expand their water re-use programs and reduce overall freshwater withdraw from aquifers.

Last year, NGWA formed a task force to address the impact of data centers on groundwater and provide guidance for their development. The task force focuses on groundwater availability, transparency in water use, and best practices for siting and operating data centers in ways that protect long-term water resources.

NGWA underscored the critical role groundwater professionals play in helping communities manage water resources responsibly as data centers expand across the United States with the Association’s latest position paper and a three-part series in its monthly trade magazine, Water Well Journal.

The position paper notes that data center growth must be planned and managed in a manner that protects groundwater resources that are relied upon by communities and ecosystems. It adds that policymakers, regulators, and data center developers need to incorporate groundwater sustainability into siting, permitting, and operational decisions, including clear disclosure of water sources and use.

Both the position paper and three-part article series can be found on the Associations' website dedicated to data centers titled Issue: Data Centers and Groundwater.

Risk Factors for Heat Illness

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:06:08 GMT

It’s critical to understand what raises heat risks when on the jobsite.

Heat illness is a serious workplace hazard. Anyone who works in a hot environment can be affected, but some workers are at greater risk than others. Understanding what raises your risk is the first step to staying safe.

Personal Risk Factors
Certain health, lifestyle, and physical factors can make it harder for your body to handle heat. Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these apply to you.
Having chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease
Being overweight or having a low level of physical fitness
Taking certain medications, including some used to treat blood pressure, allergies, or mental health conditions. Some medications can reduce your ability to sweat or sense heat
Consuming large amounts of caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration
Drinking alcohol within 24 hours of working in a hot environment
Being 60 or older
Being pregnant
Having had heat illness in the past, which raises your risk of getting it again
Not being acclimatized to the heat, meaning you are new to the job, returning after time away, or working in suddenly hotter conditions.
Environmental Risk Factors
Your surroundings play a major role in your risk of heat illness. The following factors can increase the risk of heat illness in the workplace.
High air temperatures, especially when combined with high humidity
Direct sun exposure and working on or near hot surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, or metal.
Lack of airflow or a breeze
Working near equipment, machinery, or engines that generate heat
Physically demanding tasks that raise your body temperature
Long shifts or not taking long enough rest breaks to let your body recover.
Steps to Protect Yourself
Knowing the risk factors associated with heat illness can help you take proactive steps to protect yourself. Consider the following tips.
Follow all workplace rules regarding heat safety.
Drink water regularly throughout your shift, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Take regular rest breaks.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing when possible.
Tell your supervisor if you don’t feel well and move to a cool area right away.
Watch out for coworkers who may be showing signs of heat illness such as confusion, loss of concentration, heavy sweating, or dizziness.
Talk to your healthcare provider about personal conditions or medications that could affect your ability to work safely in the heat.

Seek Medical Attention
Heat illness can quickly become life-threatening. If you or a coworker experiences the symptoms of a heat illness, seek help immediately! Report symptoms to your supervisor immediately! If you are in doubt, call 911 for medical assistance.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. These guidelines do not supersede local, state, or federal regulations. For further information, please consult a qualified professional.

Safety From the Unforeseen

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:18:55 GMT

Make sure workers are protected from more than heat and moving parts.
Articles during the summer months often focus on safety — be it on the job, around the rig, in the trench, wherever. I want to jump on this bandwagon as well but focus on a few other things on my mind that relate to safety.

Let’s focus on safety that we don’t often see or know about because we don’t always ask our employees. It is the safety of unseen issues.

New hires (and even your long-time hires) may be dealing with a lot more than you know about outside the job. Personal life, social issues, and other things can take a huge toll on each of us.

Make sure you take some time to do the following:

Educate yourself on knowing the signs of mental health stress and struggles. What do the sudden mood swings say? Is an employee suddenly reserved and quiet?
Reach out to these employees, asking them if everything is alright. Is there anything they need?
Realize that these are your employees and they need support.

Also, think about other unforeseen items. We all know that our industry’s preferred method of fixing a wound in the field is a rag and tape, but do you know where the nearest pharmacy is to your jobsite? What about an ER?

Have you made sure your first aid kit is stocked with the necessary items, and up-to-date items? Make sure the items dad put in there 30 years ago have been changed out!

Finally, make sure you know the protocol for specific safety issues.

Does everyone know what to do if there is an epileptic episode with a worker? What do you have in place if that happens?

What about a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic attack? Do you know the difference? Does the employee have a First Alert tag on them? Have they told you what to do?

We have to be safe — and not just from heat and moving parts. We have to make sure we take care of all of our employees, both those in the field working and those back working in the office.

DAVE SCHULENBERG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IAGP

Why Multifactor Authentication Matters

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:15:03 GMT

Passwords alone aren't enough to protect accounts today.
While complex passwords may help deter cybercriminals, they can still be cracked. According to telecommunications company Verizon, an estimated 80% of hacking-related data breaches involve stolen credentials. With these findings in mind, it’s clear that passwords alone aren’t enough to protect your workplace accounts.

Fortunately, that’s where multifactor authentication (MFA) can help. MFA is a layered approach to securing data and applications, in which a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify their identity during login.

This article provides more information on MFA, explains how it protects companies and employees, and offers best practices.

MFA OverviewThrough MFA, employees must confirm their identities by providing extra information, such as a phone number, biometric data, or one-time security code in addition to their passwords when attempting to access sensitive corporate information and infrastructure.

Companies should require MFA for remote access to their networks, for the administrative functions within their networks, and for any enterprise-level cloud applications.

With this method, it’s not enough to just have your username and password. In order to log in to a workplace account, you’ll need another “factor” to verify your identity, similar to someone needing both a key and an identification badge to gain physical access to a building. This additional login hurdle means that cybercriminals won’t be able to easily unlock your account, even if they have your compromised credentials in hand.

Key Protections
Although proper password management can prove beneficial, stolen credentials remain a common and pervasive cybersecurity threat. Even the most sophisticated passwords can be stolen, whether via brute-force techniques or advanced phishing scams.

In these instances, all it takes is one compromised account to expose an entire company, potentially resulting in devastating and disruptive cyberattacks (e.g., account takeovers, data breaches, or ransomware incidents).

Without MFA in place, employees could be leaving personal information and sensitive projects stored on their workplace accounts—as well as a company’s larger corporate systems—vulnerable to cybercriminals. Using this method can help halt these hackers in their tracks, safeguarding both employees and their companies.

While MFA may seem like a tedious or unnecessary step in the login process, it’s well worth it to avoid potential cybersecurity incidents. Technology company Microsoft confirmed that MFA can block more than 99%(!) of automated and bulk account compromise attacks, demonstrating its effectiveness.

Best Practices
When leveraging MFA at work, remember the following guidelines:
Use approved methods. Adhere to company policies and any related documentation on how to set up MFA services across your workplace accounts. Use only approved methods, whether it’s a mobile authenticator application, biometric scanner, text messaging system, or hardware key.
Pay attention to prompts. Be prepared to comply with MFA prompts when logging in to your workplace accounts (e.g., “Enter the unique code sent to your device.” or “Use facial recognition to approve login attempt.”), as these prompts must usually be completed within a brief time frame. However, never follow or approve prompts you didn’t initiate!
Report suspicious activity. If you receive unexpected MFA requests, unusual prompts, or other login problems, report them immediately.

For More Information
Cybersecurity can be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Any employee with questions should reach out to their manager for more information.

2026 NGWA Fly-In leads to 60-plus meetings with federal offices, staff, and agencies

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:59:03 GMT

Nearly 40 NGWA members participated in more than 60 meetings with Congressional offices, Senate staff, and key federal agencies March 24–25 at the 2026 NGWA Fly-In held in Washington, D.C.

Representing a broad cross-section of groundwater professionals, members traveled from across the United States — including as far as Alaska — as well as internationally, with participation from Nigeria.

A two-day event focused on advancing the organization’s federal policy priorities, the 60-plus conversations provided a platform for members to share real-world insights from the field, while reinforcing the important role groundwater plays in supporting communities, agriculture, energy production, and economic growth nationwide.

A central focus of this year’s Fly-In was advocating for the reinstatement of geothermal tax credits, which are essential to advancing clean energy development and supporting jobs across the groundwater and geothermal sectors. Members also emphasized the need for increased federal investment in the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Ground-Water Monitoring Network, a resource for tracking water availability and quality.

Fly-In participants also highlighted NGWA’s newly released Data Center Position Paper, raising awareness around the increasing water demands tied to rapid data center expansion and the importance of responsible groundwater management.

During the event, NGWA members presented the 2025 Groundwater Protector Award to U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado). This recognition is awarded to government officials who have demonstrated strong leadership and a sustained commitment to advancing groundwater protection and policy. Hickenlooper was recognized for his ongoing support of water infrastructure, science-based policy, and efforts that elevate the importance of groundwater at the federal level.

“This year really demonstrated the strength and expertise of our membership and their commitment to giving NGWA a voice in D.C.,” said Ben Frech, NGWA’s government affairs manager.

“From geothermal energy to water monitoring and recharge, our members are on the front lines of the nation’s most pressing water challenges. These conversations help ensure that policymakers understand both the urgency of these issues and the practical solutions our industry is ready to deliver.”

IDPH 2025 & 2026 Dates for Water Well License Testing

David Evener — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:32:46 GMT

IDPH 2025 & 2026 Dates for Water Well License Testing

Friday, April 18, 2025, 9:00am
Friday, October 17, 2025, 9:00am
Friday, April 17, 2026, 9:00am
Friday, October 16, 2026, 9:00am

Applications for the for examination for registration as a licensed water well contractor or water well pump installation contractor must be received 45 days prior to the test. https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/077009150000100R.html

View a copy of the Illinois Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act

David Evener — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:33:23 GMT

Click here to download a copy of the Illinois Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act