The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on June 4 to consider legislation authorizing the state to set standards for the construction of drinking water wells.

The legislation-- House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York)-- authorizes the Environmental Quality Board to establish well construction standards by regulation consistent with standards established by the National Groundwater Association. 

Some 20,000 new water wells are drilled each year in Pennsylvania, but the Commonwealth is one of the few states without private well regulations.  More than 3 million Pennsylvanians rely on about 1 million private wells for drinking water. 

Improperly constructed water wells can lead to poor water quality by providing pathways for bacteria and contaminants such as naturally occurring shallow methane gas to migrate into water supplies.  Ensuring that the well is constructed properly from the start will help to prevent water quality problems in the future.

The meeting will be  held in Room 39 East Wing starting at 9:00 a.m.

Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair.

6/3/2013