October 24, 2026
This week’s photo is courtesy of- Roscoe Moss Company- Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Health Focus
Part 2 of 2: Frostbite
Yesterday covered how frostbite starts and why it hides. Today is what to do about it.
Emergency first. Check for hypothermia before anything else. CDC calls hypothermia "a medical emergency" and says "immediate medical care is necessary." Watch for the signs from Tuesday: shivering, confusion, and loss of coordination, and later, no shivering, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. Call 911. NIOSH says that if the person has no pulse, begin CPR.
Frostbite needs a doctor too. CDC says, "If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, seek medical care." Warming the area is first aid, not treatment.
When care is not close. CDC’s first-aid steps apply only when the person shows signs of frostbite but no signs of hypothermia, and immediate medical care is not available:
• Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes; it increases the damage.
• Do not rub the area with snow or massage it at all.
• Put the affected area in warm, not hot, water that feels comfortable to unaffected skin.
• No warm water? Use body heat, such as an armpit for frostbitten fingers.
• Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, or radiator. Numb skin can easily burn.
The old advice to rub frostbite with snow is wrong; CDC says it can cause more damage. The best first aid is never needing it: dry gloves, covered skin, warm breaks, and a partner who checks your face.
Key Takeaways
• Hypothermia comes first: call 911, and begin CPR if there is no pulse.
• Any frostbite should be checked by a health care provider (CDC).
• If care is not available: warm, not hot, water; no rubbing; no direct heat on numb skin.
Sources:
• CDC: Preventing Frostbite
• NIOSH: Cold-related Illnesses
Industry Updates
Maine Dry Well Reports Climb to 156 as Groundwater Hits Record Lows
Maine has received 156 dry well reports in 2026 as of October 15, up from 39 at its Drought Task Force’s September 3 meeting, according to the Maine Emergency Management Agency. USGS monitoring wells in Oxford and at Clayton Lake, both with decades of data, hit their lowest levels on record this month, below the levels of the early 2000s drought, according to Nick Stasulis of USGS, co-chair of the state’s Drought Task Force. Survey responses describe households "waiting until December or spring for a well driller." Officials told residents on private wells to plan for drought conditions to continue into 2027 and asked them to report dry wells through the state survey.
Why it matters: This is a groundwater drought seen from the driller’s side: wells going dry and a service backlog that now runs into winter.
Source: Maine Emergency Management Agency: Multi-Year Water Resources Drought Likely to Carry Over Into 2027
EPA Approves Colorado to Permit Class VI Carbon-Storage Wells
EPA has approved Colorado’s application for primary enforcement authority over Class VI injection wells, in a final rule published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2026. Class VI wells are used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations for long-term underground storage, known as geologic sequestration. When the rule takes effect on November 12, 2026, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission will issue and enforce Class VI permits in the state. EPA remains the permitting authority for Class VI wells on Indian lands within Colorado.
Why it matters: Class VI wells fall under the federal Underground Injection Control program, which protects underground sources of drinking water. Moving permitting to the state changes who reviews these projects and which rules apply. Starting November 12th, drillers, monitoring-well contractors, and hydrogeologists working Colorado carbon-storage projects will answer to the state commission on most sites; until then, EPA remains the permitting authority.
Industry Events
Event Highlight: Ohio Water Well Association 2026 Convention
The Ohio Water Well Association holds its convention November 4 to 5 at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio. The association describes it as a gathering of water well contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals from across Ohio, built around education, new products, and industry connections. Registration is through the association’s online form, with payment at sign-up. A confirmation email follows once payment is complete. For the schedule, education credits, and pricing, contact the association at [email protected] or (740) 828-9200.
Ohio Water Well Association: 2026 Convention
November 4 to 5; Newark, Ohio
Information and Registration: OWWA Convention Registration
Southwest Section AWWA: 2026 Annual Conference
October 25 to 27; Bossier City, Louisiana (online registration closed; onsite registration available)
Information and Registration: SWAWWA 2026 Annual Conference
National Ground Water Association: Virus Attenuation in Managed Aquifer Recharge (free webinar, 1 CEU hour)
October 27; Virtual Attendance
Information and Registration: NGWA Webinar Details
SADC Groundwater Management Institute: 8th SADC Groundwater Conference
November 18 to 20; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Information and Registration: 8th SADC Groundwater Conference Registration
National Ground Water Association: Groundwater Week 2026
December 8 to 10; Las Vegas, Nevada
Information and Registration: Groundwater Week 2026 Registration
If you have a conference, symposium, workshop, or water well related event that you would like mentioned, contact us at [email protected]
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