Description

The ASCE/EWRI Mitigation of Land Subsidence Committee is seeking members to oversee the development of ASCE/EWRI standard 93-YY:

Guidelines for Mitigation of Land Subsidence with Emphasis on Groundwater Withdrawal

The chair of this committee is Zhuping Sheng, Ph.D., PE. PH, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.

Practicing engineers, researchers, building officials, contractors and construction product representatives, and regulatory agency representatives are all needed and welcome. Those interested in joining the committee should apply online here: Committee Application Form | ASCE. Select “EWRI” from the “Institute or Committee” dropdown menu, then choose “(ASCE/EWRI 93) Mitigation of Land Subsidence - Guidelines for Mitigation of Land Subsidence with Emphasis on Groundwater Withdrawal”.

Land subsidence caused by fluid withdrawal, especially groundwater pumping, represents a major geological hazard affecting communities worldwide. As water demands increase, over-withdrawal of groundwater continues to put more stresses on regional aquifers. For example, the Central Valley of California has subsided up to 28 feet in some areas since 1920. Aquifers are increasingly used for underground storage in managed aquifer recharge (MAR) projects.

Contemporary guidelines are essential to help water managers, planners, hydrogeologists, and engineers manage groundwater resources effectively and reduce land subsidence risks under evolving groundwater development scenarios.

The newly formed EWRI Mitigation of Land Subsidence standard committee will use the ASCE/EWRI committee report titled Investigation of Land Subsidence due to Fluid Withdrawal published in 2022 as a strong foundation to develop comprehensive standard guidelines for practitioners working in subsidence-susceptible areas.

Membership on EWRI/ASCE standard committees are open to all those who are directly contributing to, and/or affected by water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering and geological engineering. Committees will be created with membership balance that facilitates consensus building among all categories: Producer, Consumer, and General Interest, including Regulatory bodies. More information can be found in ASCE’s Rules for Standards Development.
ASCE fosters an inclusive environment for all committee members, valuing their unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences. We encourage all eligible candidates, including those who have been historically marginalized, protected veterans, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.

The deadline to apply for this committee is March 3, 2026. Selected committee members will be notified shortly after that date.

For more information, please contact Tanner Johnston, Manager of Standards Development, at tjohnston@asce.org. For information on the Environmental & Water Resources Institute, please contact Brandy Adams at badams@asce.org.

Requirements

Membership on EWRI/ASCE standard committees are open to all those who are directly contributing to, and/or affected by water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering and geological engineering.