|
|
|||
|
1309 Bridge Street •
New Cumberland, PA 17070 • Phone: 717-774-8870 • Fax: 717-774-0288 |
|||
|
PA-AWWA recognizes our Gold Sponsors:  |
 |
|
|
|
Public Notification Providers |
|||
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|||
|
The Latest AWWA, U.S. EPA, PA. DEP, Legislative and Regulatory Information: As you may know, on March 21st PENNVEST will be conducting a forward auction for certified nitrogen and phosphorous credits. In this auction you will be able to bid/offer on the purchase/sale of credits that will be applicable to meeting nutrient discharge permit limits. You could bid/offer credits for this compliance year as well as any of the following four compliance years. The auction is open to potential credit buyers and sellers in both the Susquehanna and Potomac watersheds. If you are interested in learning more about this auction and how to participate, please note the following dates: · Training webinar: Enrollment and Eligibility – Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 · Deadline for registration forms/documents submission – Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 · Training webinars: Submit Bids and Offers, Review Auction Results – Wednesday, March 7th and March 14th, 2012 · PENNVEST sends out Eligibility letters to the participants - Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 · Forward Auction takes place - Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 To open a Markit account, please apply here: http://www.markit.com/sites/en/about/registrations/environmental-auctions-pennvest.page Training session materials: http://www.markit.com/assets/en/docs/products/environmental/auctions/PENNVEST_Enrollment_Eligibility_Webinar.pdf Training session call-in information: Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): (866) 273 - 7990 Call-in toll-free number (UK): (800) 358 - 6526 Meeting Password: 4891177# In order to see the presentation, please open the following link in your Internet Explorer Browser: http://www.meetingzone.com/markit/ Complete the participant information and click Login. Please use the Participant Access Code: 4891177 Please let us know if you have any questions, Sincerely, Markit Environmental Auctions Team Environmental.auctions@markit.com +1-917-441-6668 ________________
AWWA Washington Report · Mayors Meet with EPA, Discuss Clean Water Act · AWWA Leads Meeting on Drinking Water · Consumer Confidence Reports · Outlook Dims for LightSquared’s Broadband Proposal
More info click here AWWA ACE 12 Conference Registration
Below please find the link to an AWWA press
release that went out this morning announcing that registration
for ACE12 is now open. _____________ AWWA Public Affairs Advisory Below please find the link to an AWWA advisory that went to utility members today with information and links to free materials for Drinking Water Week 2012.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/010512DWWAnnouncement.pdf
STATE REGISTRATION BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS AND GEOLOGISTS: PROPOSED RULEMAKING: QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists proposes to amend §§ 37.1, 37.31—37.33, 37.36, 37.37 and 37.47—37.49 to update them so they conform to current administrative practice. Written comments may be directed to the Regulatory Unit Counsel, Department of State, PO Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649, ST-ENGINEER@pa.gov within 30 days. Reference No. 16A-4711 (qualifications for licensure). A copy of this notice may be found at: http://pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-53/2219.html _____________ AWWA Public Affairs Advisory Please find below a link to an AWWA Public Affairs Advisory regarding today's Dr. Oz Show, which focuses on drinking water and features U.S.EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/122011epaDrOz.pdf _____________ Safe Drinking Water Program Fees; Withdrawal of Proposed Rulemaking The Environmental Quality Board (Board), at the direction of Chairperson Michael L. Krancer, is withdrawing the proposed safe drinking water program fees rulemaking from further consideration. The proposed rulemaking, which was approved by the Board at the Board's November 16, 2010, meeting, proposed new and revised fees for community water systems, bottled, vended, retail and bulk water systems and public water systems to supplement State costs for administering the Commonwealth's Drinking Water Program. In subsequent review of the proposed rulemaking after Board action, it was determined that there is no compelling justification for an increase in fees that would most likely be passed on to the customers of public water systems. The rulemaking is currently being reviewed for form and legality by the Office of Attorney General; however, by the Board's formal withdrawal of the rulemaking, further action on the proposed rulemaking is suspended. Questions concerning the withdrawal of the safe drinking water program fees rulemaking should be directed to Michele Tate, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, (717) 783-8727, mtate@pa.gov. _____________
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/121511ASCEinfrastructure.pdf
_____________ Please find attached the latest AWWA Washington DC Report. In this issue: · Feds Prepare for Government Shutdown…Again · Some RMP Data to be Made Public · ASCE Releases Water Infrastructure Report · Water Associations Weigh In on Infrastructure Investment Needs · Fun Facts As always, please get in touch if you have questions or comments.
Tommy Holmes 202 326-6128 _____________________ AWWA Regulatory Alert Please find below a link to an AWWA Regulatory Alert regarding U.S. EPA's plan to post portions of Risk Management Plans on the agency's web site. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/120911epaRMPs.pdf _____________________
New Definition of "Lead Free" in the Safe Drinking Water Act Congress has revised the definition of “lead free” in the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. Effective January 4, 2014, all pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fitting, and fixtures must meet a 0.25% weighted average lead content. The Congressional Act that I’m attaching was dated January 5, 2010; but, President Obama did not sign it into law until January 4, 2011 which is why the effective date is January 4, 2014. This Act includes the weighted average calculation formula. I’m attaching an NSF article (see page 2) explaining Standard 61 changes. I’m also providing a link to an NSF bulletin:
NSF Article http://www.nsf.org/media/enews/pbulletin_1106.html#art2
Deb Rotz |
Water Program Specialist
___________________________
___________________________
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/112311cyberFollowup.pdf
Please find below a link to an AWWA Regulatory Alert concerning Clean Water Act permit requirements for pesticide discharges. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/102111pesticideDischarges.pdf ___________________________ PA DEP Drinking Water Website Web Enhancements I have revised an earlier presentation about the resources we have added to our drinking water website and it’s now posted on our Drinking Water Management home page under “What’s New…”. I’ve attached this document for your information. For those of you who have heard my AWWA and Partnership for Safe Water presentations last month and this past week, it’s the same handout you received so you don’t have to print it. This document contains the search criteria and links for the following: Drinking Water Home page · Drinking Water Topics A – Z link document (new resource) · Regulations page · Lead and Copper Rule page (new page with new resources and links) · Stage 2 Disinfection/Disinfection Byproducts Rule page (new resource) · Drinking Water Regulations, Standards and Resources page · Monitoring Waivers page · Consumer Confidence Reports page · New DEP Program A – Z links (from Main DEP home page)
New web resources include:
· Drinking Water Topics A – Z link document · LCR Reference Guide · Instructions and template for NTNCWs Lead Public Education poster · Instructions and template for Consumer Tap Notice of Lead Results · Consumer Tap Notice Certification form · Stage 2 D/DBP monitoring plan template and instructions DEP DW website enhancement information
Deb Rotz |
Water Program Specialist
_____________________________
PUC Hears from Electric Utilities on Hurricane Irene Outages, Responses On October 12, 2011, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) heard from the state’s electric utilities whose distribution systems were affected by Hurricane Irene as part of a Special Electric Reliability Forum. “This was a history-making storm with severe weather that lasted over several days,” said Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “It was important for the affected electric utilities and the PUC to come to the table and examine what went well as customer service was restored and what did not go well. We hope the information shared during this forum will allow us to provide additional direction to the utilities to ensure service is restored promptly and consumers are receiving useful information during outages.” The participating electric utilities all reported that Hurricane Irene was one of the worst storms to hit their service territories – both in numbers of customers who were without power as well as the duration of the storm and outages. The presentations from the forum are available on the PUC website at http://www.puc.state.pa.us/electric/electric_reliability.aspx . The PUC’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dan Searfoorce summarized the events related to Hurricane Irene, the overall magnitude of the statewide outages and the role of the PUC as it related to these outages. Operational personnel from the following electric utilities also participated in the forum: the FirstEnergy Companies (Metropolitan Edison Co. and Pennsylvania Electric Co.); PECO Energy Co.; PPL Electric Utilities Corp., UGI Utilities Inc., and Pike County Light & Power. In general, the participating electric utilities reported the following successes: · Crews working in the field remained safe while working to restore power · Pre-staging of additional line crews and pre-planning including drills allowed for more efficient responses. · Existing mutual aid agreements that allowed for cooperation from crews outside of the utility were valuable. In general, the participating electric utilities also reported the following lessons learned: · Improvements are needed for phone systems handling customer phone calls. · A need exists for increased use of technology for customer notification such as e-mail, mobile–friendly web access and social media. · Better weather forecasting is needed. Hurricane Irene hit the east coast on Aug. 27, 2011, bringing with it high winds and heavy rain. At the height of the storm, about 768,000 customers were without power, while overall there were more than 1.3 million customer outages throughout the storm. Pennsylvania has about 5.6 million electric customers. Some customers remained without power for up to 10 days. On Sept. 22, 2011, the Commission also approved a final rulemaking designed to improve utility responses to large-scale outages. The goal of the rulemaking is to have even more effective responses to unscheduled outages for electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telephone utilities and establish a uniform approach for reporting standards among industries in the event of utility service outages. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us . Source: PUC Press Release, 10/12/2011 _____________________________ EPA’s Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative has developed the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) EPA’s Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative has developed the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT), which is available for download at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/creat.cfm. CREAT assists drinking water and wastewater utilities in conducting climate change risk assessments at their facilities. EPA will be delivering its first free training on the CREAT starting Wednesday, October 12, with an additional eight webinars to follow throughout October and November. More details on the attached flyer, below. The training will be presented in three different modules: 1) CREAT 101, an introduction to the tool; 2) CREAT 201, an overview of setup and climate science information within the tool; and 3) CREAT 202, an overview of the analysis and reporting functions within the tool. Interested parties can register for the training at https://www.thetestportal.com/CREAT. Registration will be capped at 50 participants per session, but efforts will be made to accommodate preferences for specific dates, and additional webinars will be held as necessary.
We request your help in distributing the attached flier to your
utility contacts and other individuals that work on climate and
water resource issues; please distribute freely.
_____________________________
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/092811LeadSABepaReport.pdf
The
EPA Science Advisory Board has issued its final report of its
evaluation of the effectiveness of partial lead service line
replacement (PLSLR) in reducing lead levels at the tap. The
Board found that data to evaluate PLSLR is limited, but the
available data indicates that PLSLR may increase tap lead levels
for some undetermined time after PLSLR. Because the evaluation
data was so limited, The Board did not make a specific
recommendation to discontinue the requirement in the LCR
revisions. KRANCER DISCUSSES DEP REORGANIZATION By Matt Hess PLS 9/20/2011 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael Krancer held a press conference this afternoon to discuss a major reorganization within DEP. “These organizational changes will enhance the department’s ability to protect Pennsylvania air, water and land, and also will result in a consistent and predictable regulatory system,” he stated. Sec. Krancer began by highlighting the Department changes including the following: · The Bureau of Oil and Gas Management will elevate to becoming a deputate, which will unify oversight of this industry by Harrisburg-based and regional staff. This will give DEP the ability to better coordinate its permitting, inspection and enforcement efforts. · A new bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields will be created under the Office of Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation. This new bureau will house all aspects of site cleanup and will more closely mirror the structure used in environmental cleanup statewide. · A new Bureau of Conservation and Reclamation will be created to better align the Office of Water Management’s core functions, and others will be realigned. The new bureau will incorporate staff assigned to restoring streams affected by acid mine drainage. By aligning staff assigned to stream restoration, DEP will further improve the Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations’ focus. · A new Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance will be formed, so the agency can enhance its efforts to communicate and educate these values and provide know-how, tools and partnering. The reorganization will also create the Office of Program Integration to develop and coordinate the implementation of initiatives, as well as examine and improve program efficiency across the agency. “This is an installment of delivering what Governor Corbett promised during the campaign; and I, along with the governor, am committed to protecting the environment and public health for the future of all Pennsylvanians by strictly and vigorously enforcing our environmental laws,” he stated. “Our commitment to protecting our state’s environment remains as strong as ever.” Sec. Krancer emphasized no layoffs will result from the reorganization. Sec. Krancer then responded to questions to the media. What does this reorganization mean to a drilling company? It means we’re going to be able to deliver a symphonic oversight and regulation that should work better in the field. Just being on the same page and working together is going to make regulation more effective, it’s going to make the atmosphere more predictable. I see this as an opportunity to enhance the program and regulatory delivery services at the most basic level. The regional interface is still going to be there. The same people are going to be there. The same inspectors are going to be there. What does the move of the Bureau of Oil and Gas to the level of deputate change in terms of what you can do? When I came in I inherited a balkanized approach to oil and gas regulation. I had three different regions doing things three different ways. That disjointed approached causes a disjointed delivery and a disjointed message. Getting on the same page is big to me and the community should see it as a big plus. So this brings a little more power back to Harrisburg rather than at the local level? It’s so much back to Harrisburg as it is getting everybody on the same page. I don’t view this as a ‘back to Harrisburg’, I view this as creating a team. It is a very positive step at making sure we’re effective at our oversight, effective at enforcement and that we’re delivering predictability to the regulatory community as well. Some people in the regulated community feel that DEP is understaffed and does not have the staff to fulfill its responsibilities. Do you share that view? No, I do not share that view at all, absolutely not. What we’re doing here will allow us to deliver more with the same complement. What is the percentage of brownfields that need to be developed? Not enough. We need to work hard to get more of them developed. Because of the nature of Pennsylvania and its history of being an industrial state we have a lot of candidate sites that are screaming for potential redevelopment. ________________
DEP Announces
Reorganization Plans I am pleased to announce a reorganization and new face for the PA Department of Environmental Protection. This reorganization will boost our institutional ability and agility to fulfill the department’s mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s air, land and water, enforcing our environmental laws and providing for the health and safety of our citizens. I brought some ideas to the department with me when I got here and since arriving, I have spent a lot of time visiting and talking with many of you personally and listening to your ideas, suggestions and concerns. I have also heard from stakeholders. I have also witnessed your dedication and commitment to our core mission of the practice of sound science for environmental protection. As you are aware and as many of you have experienced and reiterated to me during my visits with you, the Department over the past few years began, to some degree, to drift away from its core mission of environmental protection. One example that sticks in my mind is when I heard from one of our geologists that she sometimes spends half of her workweek doing loan documentation instead of geology. That is just one example and there are more. I know that we all want to move the Department back to essential environmental protection practices and permitting functions, or “back to basics.” Consistency of enforcement and application of our laws and regulations is vitally important and you and others have heard me say that many times. I will continue to say that we are one DEP, not seven or twelve. Our goal is to increase cooperation, communication and coordination among and between us, making sure we apply the same law the same way everywhere and strictly and vigorously enforce that law to protect the environment and public health. This reorganization will improve coordination among programs; enhance communication between program development and implementation staff; and ensure statewide consistency throughout the agency. We will also be refocusing our efforts toward the Department’s core mission and get us back to basics. In addition, we are focusing on policy initiatives that are important to the Governor and to me. Here is the gist of the salient features of this DEP Reorganization: --New Oil and Gas Deputate. The Oil and Gas Bureau moves from Mineral Resources and becomes its own deputate as the Office of Oil and Gas Management. The Deputate, which will be headed by an Acting Deputy Secretary, will integrate and unify Harrisburg and Regional personnel in this program into one structure to provide for unified regulation of the oil and gas industry. This move is a reflection of the Governor’s and my recognition of the importance of proper, vigorous and unified oversight of this industry and the role it promises to fill in Pennsylvania for years to come. We will also be able to provide for consistent and robust enforcement of our rules and regulations. This deputate will be divided into a “strategic” arm and a “tactical” arm. The Bureau of Oil and Gas Planning and Program Management will provide long-term strategic development. The District Oil and Gas Operations will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of regulatory operations and consistency of application of rules in the field. The District Oil and Gas Operations will be a single point of contact for permitting, compliance questions and regulatory interpretation questions. --New Office of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields. A new Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields will be established within the newly named Deputate for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation. This Bureau will bring under one roof and one Director all of our site remediation efforts and programs. This move is a reflection of the Governor’s and my belief in the importance of Brownfields development to Pennsylvania. Brownfields redevelopment is a “win-win” for everyone. We get community revitalization and new environmental protection both at the same time. Pennsylvania has the best and most agile site redevelopment program in the United States and this will help us focus our efforts in getting more sites redeveloped and attracting more capital to Pennsylvania to do so. The Office of Community Revitalization and Local Government Support is being disbanded. Obviously, its Community Revitalization functions are being significantly improved and taken up by the new Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields. Its local government support function has been being well served by our new Special Deputy for External Affairs since February. --New Bureau of Conservation and Reclamation (Acid Mine Drainage Program). The Bureau of Conservation and Reclamation will be formed and placed in the Water Management Deputate. This is our Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Program which had been grouped with our Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR). The AMD program’s focus is water; it does great work cleaning up water and waterways. It’s natural home is our Office of Water Management. --Programmatic Realignment, New Office of Program Integration. We are realigning our Harrisburg and Regional structures to match each other. There had been some disconnect between the Harrisburg structure of offices and programs and what exists in our Regions. This is being fixed. As I have said many times, we are one DEP, not seven. We need to enforce the law in a consistent manner throughout the Commonwealth. There should not be a mismatch between what Harrisburg is doing and how it is built and what the Regions are doing and how they are built. There won’t be any longer. To put action behind the structural realignment, we are creating an Office of Program Integration headed by a Director whose job it will be to develop and coordinate the implementation of initiatives and programs as well as to examine and improve program efficiency. --New Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance. We are creating an Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance which will be housed under the Special Deputy Secretary for External Affairs. This new Office will take over the role of the former Office of Energy Technology and Deployment. The Governor and I both believe in the importance of pollution prevention and compliance assistance and this Office will take the lead in those efforts, which involve outreach to external stakeholders. Of course, the Commonwealth’s Energy Office will continue as it has been as a function within our Special Deputy for External Affairs. These changes are in addition to earlier improvements in our organizational structure, including the creation of the Office of External Affairs and the placement of all environmental programs under the direction of an Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs. These changes and reorganization will not result in any layoffs. As an agency, we are all committed to working as partners with individuals, organizations, governments and businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources through practices that balance economic growth with strong environmental stewardship. This reorganization will be the vehicle to achieve this balance through the uniform administration of the Department’s programs. Within the upcoming days, members of the executive staff will be visiting the regions in order to share more information and answer any questions you may have. Please visit the Department’s website for more information and copies of the new organization charts.
Sincerely, _________________________ SENATORS UNVEIL FLOOD RELIEF LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
By Matt Hess 9/19/2011 A bipartisan group of senators gathered for a press conference today to unveil a legislative package aimed at curbing the effects of heavy flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee earlier this month. Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia), Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) discussed the seven-piece package that combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding, and tax breaks for affected areas. “Our goal is to provide financial assistance to communities affected by flooding and provide the resources to ensure that the recovery effort will take place as quickly as possible,” Sen. Gordner stated. “We’ve all toured our flooded communities and we have seen how hard-hit they have been by these storms.” Senator Gordner commended a variety of organization including churches, colleges and the Red Cross for their work in flood relief effort. “The tremendous amount of individuals who have stepped forward in this cause is just another one of the rainbows that occurred at the end of this storm. Sen. Gordner then gave an overview of the seven bills: · Weather Disaster Relief Act of 2011: Establish a restricted account in the State Treasury that will provide additional state grant monies to individuals or families based on income eligibility and damage loss. · Flood Emergency of 2011 Bond Authorization: Authorizes $250 million for state share of flood-related highway and bridge rehabilitation projects. · Local Abatement of Real Estate Taxes: Allows local taxing bodies to abate real estate taxes for properties substantially affected by the flood · Capital Budget Act of 2011 for Flood-Damaged Highways: Authorizes a county by county list of highways affected by the flood that need rehabilitation. · Capital Budget Act of 2011 for Flood-Damaged Bridges: Authorizes a county by county list of bridges affected by the flood that need rehabilitation. · Flood Control and Hazard Mitigation Itemization Act: Authorizes a county by county list of flood control and hazard mitigation projects. · Public and Non-Public School Waiver Act: Grants authority to the Secretary of the Department of Education to waive certain requirements for public and non-public schools that were substantially affected by the flood. “Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee delivered a powerful one-two punch to all six counties in my senatorial district in northeastern Pennsylvania,” Sen. Baker stated. “For many of the victims who are already unemployed, underemployed, or are struggling to make their mortgage payments these disasters could not have come at a worse time. We are committed to working in a bipartisan manner to get help to the struggling families who have lost everything, their homes, their businesses, their irreplaceable family keepsakes, and their sense of security.” Sen. Baker, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said she is planning to conduct several committee hearings on issues ranging from creating a state disaster assistance fund to the utilities’ response to prolonged power outages after Hurricane Irene. “Once again the fury of mother nature has ravaged the communities that cradle the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania,” Sen. Yudichak stated. “Families have been swept from their homes, businesses have been washed out of operation and communities have been staggered by the long road of recovery that lay ahead. One family in Luzerne County lost more than property or possessions they lost a loved one. My deepest sympathizes go out to the Michaels family who lost their sister Carol, who died in the flood.” Sen. Yudichak, Minority Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy, commended the Department of Environment Protection for its emergency response efforts. “They were exceptional at responding to the serious threats posed to public health during the flood event,” he stated. “This is not a recovery that’s going to happen in weeks and frankly it’s not going to happen in months in some situations it’s going to be years,” Sen. Yaw stated. “There are at least a half dozen major bridges in my area that are down. We’ve talked to PennDOT and they are already looking at schedules from 18 months to two years and that’s a significant undertaking and a significant problem. In one of my counties, of the 60 bridges they inspected, 30 had damage.” Sen. Blake thanked the National Guard and emergency responders for their efforts. “We have an urgent imperative to do what we can as legislators to meet the needs of the people under these circumstances,” he stated. “This package of bills will allow us to be agile and responsive to these needs.” Sen. Gordner noted that Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) “has indicated that he expects to move these bills in a timely manner.” The senators then responded to questions from the media. Do you have an overall price tag for this and where is the money coming from? Sen. Gordner said “we do not” but said the money for the Weather Disaster Relief Act of 2011 piece of legislation will “be coming out of the un-appropriated surplus money from the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year.” He also noted that “the governor has the ability to transfer up to $20 million from unexpended parts of the budget.” Do you envision most of this money coming from borrowing? Sen. Gordner stated “most of the bonding money will go through borrowing.” Do you know of any other legislation that is being prepared? Sen. Gordner said “I believe other individuals will introduce legislation; I believe that there is a southeastern state representative that has introduced a bill. For these seven bills, we have already done the outreach to seven house members to have them introduce companion bills in the House. Have you spoken to the governor of the legislative package? Sen. Gordner stated “we have shared this legislation with the governor as it was being drafted last week. They are reviewing it, they obviously want to make sure that we take advantage of all the federal forms of assistance and it is still unknown at this point of the complete level of federal assistance that FEMA will give.” What are the eligibility requirements individuals seeking assistance from the Weather Disaster Relief Act of 2011? Sen. Baker said “it’s 300 percent poverty income level.” ________________ AWWA Utility Advisory Below please find a link to an AWWA utility advisory regarding a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report concerning the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/090811PharmaceuticalsGAO.pdf ________________
CCR under review _______________________
Pennsylvania
State Police Urge Vigilance as Sept. 11 Anniversary Nears;
State Police are urging Pennsylvania residents to be alert as the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches. “While there are no specific or credible threats to the state or the nation, terrorists remain steadfast in their determination to commit additional attacks in the United States,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan. “We urge residents to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for any behavior that seems out of the ordinary and possibly associated with terrorism or other illegal conduct.” Potential signs of terrorism could include: individuals showing unusual interest in sensitive facilities or buildings, including photography, observation, and other types of surveillance; individuals attempting to gain information about operations, security or personnel; individuals acquiring unusual amounts of products, such as fertilizer, weapons, uniforms, cell phones, fuel, or harmful chemicals; individuals appearing to rehearse an attack, including mapping travel routes or timing traffic lights; and individuals moving suspicious equipment or supplies. Unusual activities, especially those near or at sensitive locations including government, military, or other high-profile facilities where large numbers of people congregate, may indicate that terrorists are planning an attack. Residents are encouraged to call the toll-free State Police Terrorism Tip Line at 1-888-292-1919, or via email at sp-intelligence@pa.gov , to report suspicious individuals or activity that may indicate pre-operational planning by terrorists. In the case of an immediate threat or emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. Citizen reports of suspicious activity have proven extremely crucial in preventing terrorist acts. “Residents are our primary, and frankly, our best, source of defense in reporting suspicious activity throughout Pennsylvania, and we rely on them to contact local authorities to provide valuable tips,’’ Noonan said. “No one knows what looks unusual or suspicious where they live, work, and travel better than they do.” For more information about the Pennsylvania State Police, please visit the website at www.psp.state.pa.us . Source: Governor’s Press Office, 8/31/2011 _____________________
AWWA Legislative Alert...WIFIA We could be close to seeing a bill introduced to create a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA). We are focusing our efforts on Republican members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and on the whole Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Here is how AWWA members can help move this:
· Contact the member or members of Congress in the attached list who represents you. · Educate him or her on WIFIA using the materials provided here. · Let them know how a WIFIA would benefit your community or state (for example, projects that could not get SRF loans because of their size or other restrictions or simply because there are not enough SRF funds). · Explain how investment in water infrastructure would boost the nation’s economic recovery not only by creating jobs immediately, but in providing for the long-term viability of a community. · If your member(s) of Congress who serves on the House committee responds favorably, ask him or her to contact Rep. Bob Gibbs of Ohio and let him know they think WIFIA is a good idea. He is already familiar with the proposal. He is chair of the subcommittee where such legislation would logically originate.
Thanks and let me know what kind of response you get! Tommy
Tommy
Holmes
American Water Works Association 202 326-6128
_____________________ AWWA Utility Advisory Below please find a link to an AWWA utility advisory concerning a recently released toolbox for drinking water advisory communication. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/081811CommunicationToolbox.pdf __________________
AWWA Press Release http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/080411LeadServiceLineReplacement.pdf
_____________________
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
increasing the type and amount of information it collects on
commercial chemicals from chemical manufacturers, allowing the
agency to better identify and manage potential risks to
Americans’ health and the environment. The improved rule, known
as the chemical data reporting rule (CDR), also requires that
companies submit the information electronically to EPA, rather
than on paper, and limits confidentiality claims by companies.
The changes are part of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s
commitment to strengthen the agency’s chemical management
program and increase the transparency of critical information on
chemicals. ____________________
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/080111FluorideBoneCancer.pdf
____________________
____________________ http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/072511UtilityMgmtforOps.pdf
_____________________
Below please find links to two AWWA press
releases that have recently been sent to the media. The first
release announces a new guide from AWWA and CDC to help
hospitals and health care facilities operate during water supply
emergencies. The second release is regarding the publication of
AWWA’s new AWWA Manual of Water Supply Practices, Drought
Preparedness and Response (M60).
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/071811M60.pdf
____________________
AWWA Regulatory Alert http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/071411GaoReportEPAhearing.pdf ______________________
There are two new
guidance documents addressing the development of emergency water
supplies. These are: _____________________
EPA Seeks Input from Small Entities on
Revisions for the Lead and Copper Rule
Attention:Water Community: If anyone is interested in providing input to EPA about their Lead and Copper Rule revisions, here’s the information on how to become a Small Entity Representative (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. Please forward this e-mail to anyone who may be interested in this information. Thank you!
Deb Rotz |
Water Program Specialist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE View all news releases related to water
___________________ Attached is the Summer 2011 issue of Drinking Water News, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's drinking water program newsletter. The current issue, as well as past editions, is also available at: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_drinking_water/10549 (Scroll to the bottom of the page and select an issue). This issue of Drinking Water News contains a lot of important information on the new protocols for monitoring waivers, as well as upcoming training and DEP’s Drinking Water Reporting System (DWRS).
We hope you enjoy the newsletter and find its contents helpful.
Comments on the newsletter or its contents, and suggestions on
items to include in future editions, are always welcome. Please
share this newsletter with others who may find it useful.
Requests to add e-mail addresses to the newsletter's
distribution list can be sent to
jonardone@state.pa.us. ___________________
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory that went out to AWWA utility members this afternoon regarding a recent Associated Press story. The story reports that radioactive tritium leaking from corroded pipes at nuclear power sites has contaminated groundwater at multiple locations in the United States.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/062111NuclearAP.pdf DEP Program A-Z..."Consumer Confidence Report" We have added the word “Consumer Confidence Report” as a new DEP Program A-Z choice (left border from DEP home page) that will link you directly to the existing Consumer Confidence Reports webpage. From that page, you can access the templates, the Consumer Confidence Reporting System link (formerly known as the “detect” page), the CCR certification form, and the water supplier CCR completeness checklist. To help you find various topics on the drinking water web pages, Wendy Lloyd created a document that I’m attaching that provides direct links to many drinking water topics. This document is now posted on the drinking water web site at: Please forward this e-mail to anyone who may be interested in this information. Thank you! Future Web page on the horizon…
Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection ___________________ AWWA Press Releases Below please find two documents that went to trade media this morning. The first is a statement from David LaFrance voicing support for the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Act of 2011, and the second is a press release announcing details of the upcoming Distribution Systems Operational Enhancement Techniques webcast. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/051811BondLegislation.pdf http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/051811DistributionSysWebcast.pdf ___________________ EPA Releases Searchable Website for Drinking Water Violations
CONTACT:
DEP Technical Guidance...Latest Information FYI – DEP published the rescission of several technical guidance documents (see below) in this week’s PA Bulletin. Changes to Technical Guidance Documents Following is the current list of recent changes. Persons who have questions or comments about a particular document should call the contact person whose name and phone number is listed with each document. Rescission of Technical Guidance DEP ID: 383-0810-101. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Community Water Systems. Description: The Department's Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation (Bureau) provided information relating to monitoring requirements for community water systems to support public water systems and the Department staff in implementing the Safe Drinking Water Program (Program). The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, requirements for newer regulations are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-102. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Total Coliform Rule. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for the Total Colifrom Rule to support public water systems and the Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-106. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Surface Water Filtration. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for the Surface Water Filtration Rule to support public water systems and Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, requirements for newer regulations are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-107. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for the Lead and Copper Rule. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for the Lead and Copper Rule to support public water systems and Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-201. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Transient Noncommunity Water Systems. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for transient noncommunity water systems to support public water systems and Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, requirements for newer regulations are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-203. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Bottled Water Systems. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for bottled water systems to support public water systems and Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, requirements for newer regulations are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 DEP ID: 383-0810-301. Title: Summary of Key Requirements for Nontransient Noncommunity Water Systems. Description: The Department's Bureau provided information relating to monitoring requirements for nontransient noncommunity water systems to support public water systems and Department staff in implementing the Program. The guidance document is being rescinded because it contains outdated information that is now incorrect. Additionally, requirements for newer regulations are not included. Contact: Questions regarding the policy document should be directed to Joanne Nardone at jonardone@state.pa.us or (717) 772-4018. Effective Date: May 14, 2011 Technical guidance documents are available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us . The ''Technical Guidance Final Documents'' heading is the link to a menu of the various Department bureaus where each bureau's final technical guidance documents are posted. The ''Technical Guidance Draft Documents'' heading is the link to the Department's draft technical guidance documents.
_________________________ Please find below a link to an AWWA Regulatory Alert about draft guidance from U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the implementation of the Clean Water Act. The guidance was announced today through a telephone news conference. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/042711USepaCleanWaterGuidance.pdf
_________________________
DEP Drinking Water Website Enhancement Information
Click here for more information AWWA Utility Alert Please find below a link to an AWWA Utility Alert that was distributed yesterday to utilities. The alert invites utilities to participate in a survey to collect information on Lead Service Line Replacement. High participation is critical to inform future regulatory decisions related to lead service line replacement. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/042511LcrSurvey.pdf Any questions regarding this survey should be directed to: Steve Via, AWWA Government Affairs, at svia@awwa.org. _________________________
Lead Service Line Replacement Survey
LCLRS Survey 202 326-6128
Budget Cuts Affect SRFs, But Levels Still Above Average Click here for more information
______________________ Please find attached the AWWA Washington DC Report for April 8, 2011. In this issue: · Shutdown of Federal Government Looms · Fly-In Advances Water Infrastructure Finance Another Step
EPA
Contingency Plan ________________________ Attention Water Utilities: The Lead and Copper Rule Short-term revisions (LCRSTR) were published in the PA Bulletin on December 18, 2010 and are now included in Chapter 109. I've updated the Chapter 109 index in blue highlighting with these revisions. I've also created a LCRSTR summary document that provides a description of the major revisions and the Chapter 109 page numbers. I'm attaching both documents and the revised Chapter 109 (March 2011) for your use. 2011 Chapter 109 Index 2011 Chapter 109 (March 2011) LCRSTR Summary document We have added links to these files under "What's New…" section of the Drinking Water Home Page which is found at this link. http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_management/10543 We will continue to provide a link to the current online version of Chapter 109. From the Drinking Water home page, click on the "Drinking Water Regulations, Standards & Resources" link on the right and you will find the link to the online version of Chapter 109 under "Pennsylvania Drinking Water Regulations" subheading. Finally, we have added "Chapter 109" and "Maximum Contaminant Level" as new DEP A - Z keywords that will take you to the "Drinking Water Regulations, Standards and Resources" page. Please forward this e-mail to anyone who will find this information useful. Thank you! Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection __________________________
AWWA Utility Advisory http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/040411ewg%5B1%5D.pdf
__________________________ Below please find the link to an AWWA advisory that went out to utilities today regarding a survey on water utility labs' electronic reporting capabilities. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/033011PWSLabElectronicReporting.pdf
For more information please contact Cynthia Lane at
clane@awwa.org. AWWA Utility Advisory Below, please find two utility advisories that were sent to AWWA utility members this afternoon.
The first advisory pertains to a recent
recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics that
USEPA impose an immediate moratorium on all partial lead service
line replacements.
The
second advisory includes updated information and recommendations
on concerns over radiation and drinking water. __________________________ AWWA Advisories
Below please find the link to two advisories that were sent to
AWWA utility members this afternoon. The first advisory is
regarding USEPA's recent statement that the tsunami-damaged
nuclear reactors in Daiichi, Japan had not produced radiation
levels of concern in the United States.
The second advisory is regarding a new series of videos on water
sampling that are now available to AWWA members free of charge. __________________________
NPDES FAQ's on Marcellus Shale Drilling http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/hydrofracturing.cfm
__________________________ We have made several changes to the site that provides CCR detection results that is found at this link: http://www.drinkingwater.state.pa.us/ccr/Welcome.html It now looks like Drinking Water Reporting System (DWRS) and contains the same selection methods. Instead of viewing several pages of every detected contaminant, we are providing summary tables to assist water suppliers in determining average results and the range of values. The Welcome Page lists the new summary tables: · Chemical Results · Lead/Copper 90th Percentile Results · Microbial Results (2 tables) · Disinfectant Residuals (2 tables) · Turbidity · Violations · TOC There are 2 tables for microbial results because the groundwater rule now requires groundwater systems to report positive source water samples. We created a new table to allow systems to report this source water result instead of including it with the distribution (finished water) results. There are 2 tables for disinfectant residual results to separate entry point residual results from distribution system results. We created an a new entry point disinfection residual table so that systems could report their minimum entry point results instead of trying to report both minimum and maximum values in the Chemical Contaminants table. We now have summary turbidity data. Each summary table includes a description that can be viewed and printed for more information about CCR reporting requirements. Both CCR templates packets have been revised and are posted at this link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=553926&mode=2 I hope you find these revisions helpful as you complete your CCR or assist one of your suppliers in completing their CCR. Please share this e-mail with other interested individuals. Thank you! Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection ___________________________ AWWA Regulatory Alert
Below please find the link to a regulatory alert that went
out this afternoon regarding EPA's announcement today that
they are requesting
an extension to
allow more time for pesticide operators to obtain permits
for pesticide discharges into U.S. waters.
AWWA Regulatory Alert Below please find a regulatory that was sent this morning regarding today's announcement from USEPA on proposed revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR 3) for public water systems. http://www.awwa.org/files/Advocacy/DDW/030311UMCR3Announcement.pdf __________________________
Water Community: Here's the link to our new "Monitoring Waiver" web page: This page can be found by using the DEP Keyword "Monitoring Waiver", under "What's New" on the Drinking Water home page, under "Resources" on the Drinking Water Regulations, Standards & Resources home page and on the Public Drinking Water home page. The monitoring waiver pages include:
·
General information about monitoring waivers _________________________________ AWWA Public Affairs Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory from AWWA regarding today's episode of the Dr. Oz show, which will focus on safe drinking water.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/021511DrOz.pdf
Attention Water Community: We have added 3 new Tier 1 PN templates, 4 new Tier 2 PN templates, and PA Department of Agriculture's "Emergency Action Plan fore Retail Food Establishments" guidance document to the PN web pages under the following subheadings: Under Tier 1 PN templates: 1) Presence of E. coli in a groundwater source when 4-log treatment is not provided (3800-FM-WSFR0150) 2) Failure to Meet 4-log Disinfection Treatment Requirements (3800-FM-WSFR0151) 3) Failure to Provide the level of Cryptosporidium Treatment (3800-FM-WSFR0153) Under Tier 2 PN templates: 1) Failure to Conduct Cryptosporidium monitoring for any 3 months (3800-FM-WSFR0154) 2) Failure to Take Corrective Action (3800-FM-WSFR0155) 3) Filtered Systems Failure to Determine and Report Bin Classification (3800-FM-WSFR0156) 4) Unfiltered Systems Failure to Determine and Report Bin Classification (3800-FM-WSFR0157) Under Boil Water Advisory Resources: 1) Emergency Action Plan for Retail Food Establishments Here's the link to the PN web pages: Please share this e-mail with anyone who is interested in this information. Thank you! Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection
______________________ http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/020211EPAperchlorateTestimony.pdf Below please find the link to a press release that went out to national media this afternoon from regarding testimony AWWA offered this morning before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works urging that sound, peer-reviewed science should drive regulatory decisions on perchlorate and other drinking water contaminants.
______________________ http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/012811chromiumLetterTestimony.pdf _______________________
Please see 2 files that summarize the new CCR reporting requirements for the Groundwater Rule and LT2ESWTR (one for groundwater systems, the other for surface water systems). There are also a revised CCR Template packages with these revisions. The attached CCR template files are unprotected so you can edit any text within the file. If you want to use the form fields, you must go to "Tools" and select "Protect" to activate the form fields. When the form fields are activated, you are not able to access any text except the form fields. Groundwater CCR Reporting Summary File and Unprotected CCR Groundwater Template Packet Surface Water CCR Reporting Summary File and Unprotected CCR Surface Water Template Packet The new CCR templates on the website as soon as they are finalized and posted on eLibrary.
2011 CCR Revisions
for Groundwater Systems
______________________ DEP "Monitoring Waiver" web page: This page can be found by using the DEP Keyword "Monitoring Waiver", under "What's New" on the Drinking Water home page, under "Resources" on the Drinking Water Regulations, Standards & Resources home page and on the Public Drinking Water home page. The monitoring waiver pages include: · General information about monitoring waivers · Monitoring waiver application forms and instructions · General Update regulations · General Update Questions and Answers ______________________
January 24, 2011: AWWA Utility Alert
Below please find the link to an AWWA alert that went to
utility members Friday morning. The alert includes access
information for an online recording of Tuesday’s fluoride
briefing with the CDC and EPA. The recording is
available exclusively as an AWWA utility member benefit. January 24, 2011: AWWA Press Releases
Below please find the link to a press release from the American
Water Works Association announcing a new joint resolution with
the Water Environment Federation to collaborate on programs,
services and major policy issues.
Below please find the link to a press release that went out to
Friday morning announcing AWWA’s upcoming Strategies for Water
Agency Management in the 21st Century webcast. _______________________________
_______________________________ January 10, 2011: AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
Below please find the link to an advisory that went out to
utility members Friday morning regarding an announcement from US
Dept. of Health and Human Services & Environmental Protection
Agency on new scientific assessments related to community water
fluoridation. Below please find the link to a second advisory that went out to utility members Friday afternoon with additional information and talking points relating to the fluoride announcement this morning. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/010711FluorideUpdate.pdf
The link to the press release is below.
___________________________________
Below please find a statement from American Water Works
Association that went out to media yesterday afternoon,
responding to passage of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water
Act. ____________________________ January 5, 2011: AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory from
the American Water Works Association regarding an
anticipated announcement from the US Department of Health
and Human Services on recommendations for community water
fluoridation levels. ____________________________
January 3, 2011: AWWA Public
Affairs Advisory http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/122210ChromiumEPA.pdf ____________________________
December 20, 2010: AWWA Press Release
December 14, 2010: Chapter 109 now includes 5 New Rules Since Chapter 109 now includes 5 new rules, I'm sending you a file that provides an index to various topics and the associated citations. This index has the 5 new rules highlighted in yellow so that you can find those citations in the context of the entire Chapter 109. The highlighted rules include: · PN Revisions · General Update Revisions · Groundwater Rule · Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule · Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule I'm also including a link to the Drinking Water web site where this index is posted and you can obtain a PDF version of Chapter 109. The page numbers listed in the index are those found in the PDF version. Please note that this page has been renamed to "Drinking Water Regulations, Standards and Resources." In addition to Chapter 109, you can also find the MCL and Treatment technique requirements at this site. 2010 Chapter 109 Index Please share this e-mail with others who may be interested in this information.
Special Thanks to:
Department of Environmental Protection ____________________________ December 8, 2010: AWWA Public Affairs Advisory Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory that went to AWWA utility members this afternoon regarding the recent publication of a CDC study on lead service line replacement. AWWA anticipates a national story on this study in the Washington Post in the next few days.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/120710WashPostLead.pdf
November 8, 2010:
Very Important article regarding the regulations by Ian
Scott Sykes and Veronica Kasi ________________________
Please find below a link to an AWWA Public Affairs Advisory regarding a NY Times column encouraging investment in water infrastructure. It was distributed to utility members yesterday afternoon. http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/102710NYtimesInfrastructure.pdf ________________________
October 27, 2010...AWWA Security Alert http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/102610scadaICScert.pdf _________________________ October 14, 2010
Notice of a Public Meeting: Stakeholder Meeting Concerning EPA's
Long-Term
|
|
April 9, 2010
The latest draft from DEP of the TDS regulation is available online at the DEP website at this link:
Click on “Chapter 95 Annex A.”
DEP staff will be discussing it with stakeholders on April 14 here in Harrisburg at DEP’s Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) meeting.
The WRAC agenda is also available at the link as well as the “Chapter 95 Order.”
________________
March 30, 2010
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The month of April is known for rain showers, but a new Pennsylvania Geological Survey report says that the state's groundwater actually recharges the most during March.
The report, "Summary of Groundwater-Recharge Estimates for Pennsylvania," was done in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and is available on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/.
"This report is a convenient source of groundwater recharge data for researchers, water resource managers, water scientists and geologists. It provides a general overview of processes affecting groundwater recharge in Pennsylvania and a discussion of estimates of recharge rates," said Jay Parrish, the state geologist with DNCR. "It's also a great educational resource because it shows where all of the water that falls from the sky goes."
Recharge occurs when water reaches underground aquifers. It is typically estimated by measuring factors including precipitation and stream flow.
Areas that receive the most recharge are typically those that get the most rainfall, have favorable surface conditions for infiltration, and are less susceptible to the influences of high temperatures, evaporation and loss through vegetation.
Maps included in the report illustrate patterns of precipitation, temperature, prevailing winds, and the average error associated with recharge estimates.
In an average year, about 40 inches of precipitation – the rough equivalent of 31.5 trillion gallons of water -- falls in Pennsylvania. Only about 31 percent of rainfall is absorbed by the land to become groundwater. Of the rest, 52 percent evaporates and 17 percent becomes runoff into rivers and streams.
Eighty percent of Pennsylvania's recharge occurs from November to May, with approximately 18.4 percent coming in March followed by nearly 13 percent in April.
For more information about geology in Pennsylvania, visit the DCNR Web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us and choose "Geology" at the bottom, or call 717-702-2073.
Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
________________
March 22, 2010
AWWA Regulatory Alert
Below please find the link to an advisory that went to utility members this afternoon, making them aware of EPA's new strategy for protecting and regulating drinking water.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/032210EPAregAnnounce.pdf
AWWA Press Releases
Below please find links to two press releases that went to media today. The first is a statement addressing EPA’s new strategy for protecting and regulating drinking water. The second is in regards to ACE10 super saver rates.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/032210EPAnewApproach.pdf
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/032210ACESuperSaver.pdf
_________________
March 9, 2010:
PA PUC proposed
regulation #57-271 (IRRC #2822) "Utilities' Service Outage
Response and Restoration Practices"
This past Saturday, the PA PUC published a proposed regulation in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This proposed regulation might be of interest to you or your organization. Attached is link to the proposed rulemaking and also a policy statement.
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-10/392.html (proposed regulation)
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-10/393.html (policy statement)
A copy of the proposed regulation as it was delivered to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the designated standing committees of the PA General Assembly is also available via IRRC’s website – www.irrc.state.pa.us .
The proposed rulemaking has a 30-day public comment period that closes on April 5, 2010. The link above includes instructions for submitting comments to the PUC. If IRRC has any comments on the proposed regulation, they must be delivered to the PUC by May 5, 2010. Please note that all comments submitted are considered public documents and will appear on IRRC’s website.
If you submit comments to the PUC, a courtesy copy to IRRC is always appreciated.
If you are not familiar with the regulatory review process in PA or have any questions about it, please contact me.
Scott Schalles
Analyst
IRRC
717-214-8955
_________________
March 3, 2010:
AWWA Public Affairs Advisories
Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory that went to member utilities this morning soliciting information about programs and materials that help utilities reduce customer water use. Please feel free to share this request with Sections and non-utility members.
Below please find the link to a second public affairs advisory that went to member utilities this today, regarding UC Berkeley’s announcement about a recent study which, according to the researchers, shows atrazine is impacting the ability of frogs to reproduce and may be a cause of declining amphibian populations across the globe. Talking points are included.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/03_02_10_atrazine.pdf
_________________
March 1, 2010
Proposed Chapter 109 Drinking Water Fee Package
The Department will present a proposed Chapter 109 Drinking Water Fee package to our advisory committee (TAC) on Tuesday, March 9th. Here is the link to the agenda and fee package materials for the March 9th meeting: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/technical_assistance_center_(tac)/14016.
The proposed fee package:
* Is intended to protect public health, augment the General Fund, and ensure state and federal program commitments are met and primacy is retained.
* Will generate nearly $8.4 M and cover 75% of our state costs.
* Includes increased permit fees for all public water systems (PWSs), and new annual fees for community water systems (CWSs) and bottled, vended, retail and bulk water haulers (BVRBs). The proposed annual fees range from $300 - $60,000. (Note: Annual fees for noncommunity water systems (NCWS) will be considered in 3 years.)
___________________
___________________
February 9, 2010
Below please find a regulatory alert that went to utility members this morning regarding EPA’s distribution of new guidance on the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR).
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/02_08_10_LT2ESWTR_Reg_Alert_v3.pdf
ALSO:
Below please find the link to a press release that went to
trade media this morning
announcing a collaboration agreement
with that licenses the Indian Water Works Association to distribute 27 AWWA
Standards in
http://www.drinktap.org/mediadnn/Portals/6/PressReleases/02_09_10_IWWA_agreement.pdf
___________________
January 27, 2010:
AWWA Public Affairs: Support Efforts to Fund Infrastructure
Below please find the link to a legislative alert that was sent today requesting that utilities contact their U.S. Senators, and ask them to support efforts to fund water infrastructure in the Senate jobs bill.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/01%5F26%5F10%5Fjobs%20bill.pdf
For more information, please contact Tommy Holmes at tholmes@awwa.org
____________________
December 23, 2009
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
Please find below a link to an advisory sent today on an AP story about pharmaceuticals in water.
______________________
December 14, 2009:
AWWA Press Statement
Below please find the link to a statement from AWWA Deputy Director Tom Curtis that went to national media this afternoon, responding to EWG’s release of their “Tap Water Quality Report.”
http://www.drinktap.org/mediadnn/Portals/6/PressReleases/12_11_09_Statement_EWG_Database.pdf
________________________
December 8, 2009
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
Below please find the link to an advisory the went to utility members this afternoon regarding an article in today's NY Times titled "Millions in US drink dirty water, records show," as well as this morning’s Senate committee hearing on drinking water. Talking points are included.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/12_08_09_NY_Times_hearing.pdf
______________________
Public Notification Update
On October 3, 2009, the following documents were published as final technical guidance documents in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. I'm attaching them for your reference and they are also posted at the bottom of the PN web page.
If you are interested in reviewing the associated Comments and Response documents, they are found in eLibrary at this link:
Both files begin with the word "Policy" so you will need to scroll through the 127 files. When you get to the "Policy" files, look for the document that includes the words "Comments and Response" since the other file is the actual guidance document.
Additionally, DEP has created a 7.5 CEU PN course for water
suppliers that addresses the new PN requirements and both guidance
documents. As soon as the state budget is approved, AWWA will begin
advertising the specific registration details for this course.
The FINAL PN Revisions have been published in the PA Bulletin on May 9, 2009
The PN Revisions were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 9, 2009. A link to the Pennsylvania Bulletin is found on the PN website under "More Information about PN.
Here's the link to this area:
This file summarizes the PN revisions and
provides some information about cost estimates for automatic
telephone dialing systems. Later this year, compliance assistance
specialists will be conducting training on the PN Revisions.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION UPDATE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
_____________________
November 13, 2009
Correction - EQB Proposed Regulation #7-446 (#2806),
Wastewater Treatment Requirements
In the Pennsylvania Bulletin tomorrow, the EQB will publish a correction notice for this proposed rulemaking. The notice is available today at these links:
www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-46/39_46_prm.pdf
www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-46/2065.html
The correction is two-fold. First, the original notice of proposed rulemaking gave the wrong email address for submitting public comments to the EQB on this regulation.
The correct email address for submitting comments is RegComments@state.pa.us.
Second, due to the need to publish this correction, the public comment period has been extended to February 12, 2010.
The original notice and the proposed regulation are available at the following links:
www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-45/2065.html
www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-45/39_45_prm.pdf (pages 39-44)
Be advised that any comments related to this regulation submitted to EQB or IRRC are categorized as public documents and will become part of the IRRC public file which is now available on the web.
Please take a look at IRRC’s home page at www.irrc.state.pa.us. In the lower left corner of the home page, one may sign up for “email alerts” concerning regulations and related documents including comments submitted by the public.
Please share this message with your colleagues, and other persons, professions, providers, businesses, industries, consumers and organizations that may be interested in this regulation or subject area. If you have any informal comments or questions about this regulation or the regulatory review process, please contact me by email or phone.
I hope this information is helpful. Thanks for your time and consideration.
John H. Jewett
Regulatory Analyst
Telephone: (717) 783-5475
Independent Regulatory Review Commission
333 Market Street, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Main Telephone: (717) 783-5417
Fax: (717) 783-2664
Email: irrc@irrc.state.pa.us, Website: www.irrc.state.pa.us
____________________________
October 7, 2009
EPA TO BEGIN NEW EVALUATION OF ATRAZINE
EPA Press Release 10/7/2009
WASHINGTON — The US Environmental Protection Agency announced on October 7 the agency’s intent to launch this fall a comprehensive new evaluation of atrazine, one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the United States, to determine its effects on humans.
The goal of the evaluation, which will include the review of atrazine residues in public drinking water systems, is to help the agency decide whether to revise its current risk assessment of the herbicide and whether new restrictions are necessary to better protect public health. EPA said the new evaluation “will be based on transparency and sound science” and include independent scientific peer review.
EPA said it will evaluate the herbicide’s potential cancer and non-cancer effects on humans, and will include in the new study “the most recent studies on atrazine and its potential association with birth defects, low birth weight, and premature births.”
A recent investigation by The New York Times found that levels of atrazine, often applied before and after planting to control broadleaf and grassy weeds, have spiked well above the allowable maximum in many public water systems, sometimes for as much as a month at a time, but few water systems have reported those occurrences, as WaterTech Online® reported.
While atrazine is used as an herbicide, EPA classifies the synthetic organic chemical as a “pesticide.” According to the EPA, the term “pesticide” includes substances such as plant growth regulators (excluding fertilizers and other plant nutrients) that alter the expected growth of plants.
According to the EPA, the agency’s plan calls for a September 2010 presentation of its evaluation, at which time the agency will seek peer review.
In addition to the scientific review of the effects of atrazine, EPA said it plans to meet with interested groups to explore better ways to inform the public more quickly about results of monitoring for atrazine in drinking water.
Atrazine is listed as a primary drinking water contaminant by the EPA. The agency now sets the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of atrazine in drinking water at 3 parts per billion (ppb) (3 micrograms per liter), but it adds that levels in excess of that pose health risks only over a long period. On its Web site, the agency says, "An occasional peak concentration above 3 ppb is, therefore, not cause for concern. Rather, a long-term, consistent value above a yearly average of 3 ppb would be of concern."
For information regarding the EPA’s effort to evaluate atrazine, click here.
To read the full announcement, click here. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/554b6abea9d0672f85257648004a88c1!OpenDocument
_____________________
September 23, 2009
Attached is the latest AWWA
Washington Report from the Government Affairs Office of AWWA. It is a
special one-page edition describing a significant regulatory action
involving EPA’s latest Contaminant Candidate List.
Click here
for more information
Regulatory alert
______________________
September 14, 2009
Attached please find
an AWWA public affairs advisory that went
to utility members this afternoon regarding a new series in the
New York Times entitled,
“Toxic Waters.” The second article in this series ran on Sunday, Sept.
13th.
Click here for more information
________________
August 25, 2009
This AWWA public affairs advisory that
went to utility members on 8/25/2009 regarding a recent report from the
Natural Resources Defense Council that is critical of the way USEPA
regulates the pesticide atrazine in drinking water.
Memo
Talking Points
________________ NEW!!! This 117 page handbook addresses the public
notice requirements including the PN revisions that were published in
the PA Bulletin on May 9, 2009. Please share this e-mail with
other water industry groups.
August 19, 2009:
DEP's "PN Handbook for Community Water Systems"
(3800-BK-DEP4253) is now available in eLibrary for your use. I have
included the link to the PN webpage where this handbook is posted under
the "More Information about PN" section.
_________________
August 11, 2009
AWWA Legislative Alert: Chemical Security Legislation
________________
July 21, 2009
It is available on the web at the following link:
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-28/1272.html
It is also available on our website at the following link:
http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/Regulations/RegInfo.cfm?IRRCNo=2774
The EQB is inviting the public to submit written
comments on the proposal. Please reference Regulation ID# 7-433 (IRRC#
2774) on the correspondence. The deadline for submitting comments to
the EQB is August 10th, 2009.
If you have any questions regarding the regulatory review process, our website (www.irrc.state.pa.us) can be helpful in providing you with this information. In addition, please contact myself or Scott Schalles at (717)214-8955 or sschalles@irrc.state.pa.us with questions as well.
___________________
June 11, 2009
Attached please find an AWWA regulatory alert that went out 6/11/2009 regarding free utility member access to Selecting Disinfectants in a Security-Conscious Environment, a guide AWWA has developed to help utilities evaluate disinfection options.
Click here for more information
__________________
May 14, 2009:
H1N1 Planning and Response for
Water Utilities
AWWA Public Affairs Advisory:
May 4, 2009
H1N1: Utility
Talking Points
__________________
May 11, 2009 The FINAL PN Revisions have been published in the PA
Bulletin on May 9, 2009 The PN Revisions were published in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 9, 2009. A link to the Pennsylvania
Bulletin is found on the PN website under "More Information about PN. Here's the link to this area: This file summarizes the PN revisions and
provides some information about cost estimates for automatic telephone
dialing systems. Later this year, compliance assistance specialists
will be conducting training on the PN Revisions.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION UPDATE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
______________________
April 29, 2009
Important Information for Water Utilities
Pandemic Influenza Guidebook
Click here for more
Information
__________________
April 20, 2009
AWWA
public affairs advisory that went to
utility members today regarding an investigative article from the Associated
Press about pharmaceuticals in US waterways and drinking water. The article
first appeared yesterday, April 19th.
Click here for more
information
____________________
April 15, 2009
AWWA advisory regarding an upcoming episode of PBS’s Frontline entitled “Our Poisoned Waters.”
FRONTLINE EXAMINES NEWEST HEALTH HAZARDS IN NATION’S CONTAMINATED WATERWAYS
FRONTLINE Presents
POISONED WATERS
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS
www.pbs.org/frontline/poisonedwaters
More than three decades after the Clean Water Act, iconic American waterways like the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound are in perilous condition and facing new sources of contamination.
With polluted runoff still flowing in from industry, agriculture and massive suburban development, scientists note that many new pollutants and toxins from modern everyday life are already being found in the drinking water of millions of people across the country and pose a threat to fish, wildlife and, potentially, human health.
In FRONTLINE’s Poisoned Waters, airing Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings), Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith examines the growing hazards to human health and the ecosystem.
“The ’70s were a lot about, ‘We’re the good guys; we’re the environmentalists; we’re going to go after the polluters,’ and it’s not really about that anymore,” Jay Manning, director of ecology for Washington state, tells FRONTLINE. “It’s about the way we all live. And unfortunately, we are all polluters. I am; you are; all of us are.”
Through interviews with scientists, environmental activists, corporate executives and average citizens impacted by the burgeoning pollution problem, Smith reveals startling new evidence that today’s growing environmental threat comes not from the giant industrial polluters of old, but from chemicals in consumers’ face creams, deodorants, prescription medicines and household cleaners that find their way into sewers, storm drains, and eventually into America’s waterways and drinking water.
“The environment has slipped off our radar screen because it’s not a hot crisis like the financial meltdown, war or terrorism,” Smith says. “But pollution is a ticking time bomb. It’s a chronic cancer that is slowly eating away the natural resources that are vital to our very lives.”
In Poisoned Waters, Smith speaks with researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), who report finding genetically mutated marine life in the Potomac River. In addition to finding frogs with six legs and other mutations, the researchers have found male amphibians with ovaries and female frogs with male genitalia. Scientists tell FRONTLINE that the mutations are likely caused by exposure to “endocrine disruptors,” chemical compounds that mimic the body’s natural hormones.
The USGS research on the Potomac River poses some troubling questions for the 2 million people who rely on the Washington Aqueduct for their drinking water.
“The endocrine system of fish is very similar to the endocrine system of humans,” USGS fish pathologist Vicki Blazer says. “They pretty much have all the same hormone systems as humans, which is why we use them as sort of indicator species. ... We can’t help but make that jump to ask the question, ‘How are these things influencing people?’”
“The long-term, slow-motion risk is already being spelled out in epidemiologic data, studies—large population studies,” says Dr. Robert Lawrence of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. “There are 5 million people being exposed to endocrine disruptors just in the Mid-Atlantic region, and yet we don’t know precisely how many of them are going to develop premature breast cancer, going to have problems with reproduction, going to have all kinds of congenital anomalies of the male genitalia, things that are happening at a broad low level so that they don’t raise the alarm in the general public.”
Smith also investigates the state of Puget Sound’s environment, where decades of pollution have endangered such species as orca whales, whose carcasses have shown high levels of cancer-causing PCBs.
“We thought all the way along that [Puget Sound] was like a toilet: What you put in, you flush out,” says Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, who notes that about 150,000 pounds of untreated toxins find their way into Puget Sound each day. “We [now] know that’s not true. It’s like a bathtub: What you put in stays there.”
Smith reveals that some of today’s greatest pollution threats stem from urban sprawl and overdevelopment, as new housing and commercial developments send contaminated stormwater into rivers and bays, polluting local drinking-water supplies.
Smith speaks with scuba diver Mike Racine, who describes runoff into the depths of Seattle’s Elliott Bay as a “brown, noxious soup of nastiness that is unbelievable.”
“The irony is that everybody looks at that [picturesque] scene and thinks that it’s great; everything is right with the world in Elliott Bay,” Racine says. “But in point of fact, not 100 feet away from where they are drinking a nice glass of wine off their white linen, there is this unbelievable gunk coming out of the end of this pipe.”
In addition to assessing the scope of America’s polluted-water problem, Poisoned Waters highlights several cases in which grassroots citizens’ groups succeeded in effecting environmental change: In South Park, Wash., incensed residents pushed for better cleanup of PCB contamination that remained from an old asphalt plant. In Loudon County, Va., residents prevented a large-scale housing development that would have overwhelmed already-strained stormwater systems believed to contribute to the contamination in Chesapeake Bay.
Reversing decades of pollution and preventing the irreversible annihilation of the nation’s waterways, however, will require a seismic shift in the way Americans live their lives and use natural resources, experts say.
“You have to change the way you live in the ecosystem and the place that you share with other living things,” says William Ruckelshaus, founding director of the Environmental Protection Agency. “You’ve got to learn to live in such a way that it doesn’t destroy other living things. It’s got to become part of our culture.”
Poisoned Waters is a FRONTLINE co-production with Hedrick Smith Productions, Inc. Hedrick Smith is correspondent and senior producer. The program is produced by Marc Shaffer and directed by Rick Young. FRONTLINE is produced by WGBH Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Park Foundation.
____________________
March 26, 2009
|
_________________
March 16, 2009
EPA Launches “Fix a Leak Week” To Encourage Water Efficiency
Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, EPA is launching its first “Fix a Leak Week” to remind Americans of the environmental and economic benefits to fixing leaks from household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems.
To kick off Fix a Leak Week, WaterSense partners in Arizona are demonstrating, through a visual display at a Phoenix home, the amount of water wasted by leaks in just one week. Through the display, WaterSense partners will demonstrate leaky toilets, faucets, and showerheads to show how household leaks can waste more than 200 gallons in seven days, identify leak sources inside the home and demonstrate how to fix them.
In most cases, fixture replacement parts can be installed by do-it-yourselfers and pay for themselves in a short amount of time. Remember to look for the WaterSense label if you have to replace a bathroom fixture.
Here are a few water-saving tips:
Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and, if necessary, replace the faucet with a WaterSense labeled model.
Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.
For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
Landscape irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure they are not damaged by frost or freezing.
More information about WaterSense: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak/
EPA’s Video on “Fix a Leak Week:”
(English): http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/MMwebcon.nsf/HTML/KCHK-7PYQJH?OpenDocument
(Spanish): http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/MMwebcon.nsf/HTML/KCHK-7PZHZG?OpenDocument
Source: EPA Press Release, 3/16/09
__________________
Pennsylvania State Water Plan (Act 220)
Website info
_________________
March 2, 2009
Please find a AWWA public affairs advisory that went out to member utilities this afternoon regarding opportunities to help promote EPA WaterSense “Fix a Leak Week”.
_________________
The Environmental Quality Board approved the PN
Revisions DRAFT final rulemaking package during its 12/16/08 meeting.
The rule becomes effective when it is published in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin within the next few months. DEP has updated the PN website to include the
various documents within the rulemaking package that were presented to
the EQB. There is also a 12 slide PowerPoint presentation that
summarizes the changes between the proposed and final rulemaking
package. This updated information is found at the bottom of the PN
website under "More Information about PN." Here's the link to this area: ________________________
Commonwealth Court Upholds
Environmental Hearing Board Decision, DEP Notice
Procedures on Chloramine Use HARRISBURG (Dec. 11) -- Commonwealth Court this
week upheld an Environmental Hearing Board decision
on an appeal that paves the way for Pennsylvania
American Water Co. to use chloramines as a drinking
water disinfectant and affirms that the Department
of Environmental Protection provided sufficient
notice to the public on the matter.
_______________________
February 20, 2009
This AWWA public
affairs advisory that went out to utility members
Friday
afternoon regarding citizen’s groups who are
protesting the use of monochloramines, and various messaging materials that
are available for utilities who may encounter this issue.
Click here for the advisory
________________
December 18, 2008
Important Public Notification Information:
December 11, 2008
“DEP provided six different public notices within
about two years regarding Pennsylvania American
Water’s plans to use chloramines as a disinfectant,”
said Rachel Diamond, DEP southcentral regional
director. “The court found that DEP's process for
notifying the public was sufficient and abided by
all legal requirements.”
DEP issued four permits to Pennsylvania American
Water to build and operate new and modified water
treatment facilities in Silver Spring Township,
Cumberland County, and Fairview Township, York
County, between March 2004 and March 2006 that would
use chloramines as a disinfectant within the
distribution system. Chloramines are a combination
of chlorine and ammonia.
The department published two permit application
notices and four permit issuance notices in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin between July 2003 and
April 2006. According to Chapter 25 of the
Pennsylvania Code, third party appeals must be
filed within 30 days of publication of the action in
the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The appellant in the case, Susan Pickford, claimed
she did not become personally aware of the permits
until late July 2007. She filed an appeal with the
Environmental Hearing Board in November 2007 on the
grounds that the notices did not inform the public
of the pending changes in disinfection chemicals.
In May 2008, the hearing board dismissed Pickford’s
appeal as untimely and stated it did not find
anything inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in the
published notices. Pickford subsequently appealed
the decision in Commonwealth Court, which today
upheld the board’s decision.
For more information, visit
www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Drinking Water
October 15, 2008
The attached AWWA advisory was
sent to utilities this afternoon, letting them know about an AP story that
ran today on contaminants found in bottled water.
Click here for more
information
________________________
September 15, 2008
The
attached AWWA advisory regarding an imminent story from the
Associated Press regarding hospital disposal of
pharmaceuticals and its impact on the water supply was sent
to utility members last Monday, September 15th.
AWWA
Advisory
_________________________
September 11, 2008
AWWA Pharmaceutical Advisory
regarding upcoming AP story
Click here
for more information
_________________________
May 23, 2008:
Public Notification (PN) from EPA's Website
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
This page provides resources for drinking water system owners and operators to assist them in complying with requirements of the Public Notification (PN) rule. Primacy agencies (the entities that regulated drinking water systems) can also find information to assist in PN compliance.
On this page
PNiWriter
EPA developed the
PNiWriter to allow water operators or other designated
personnel to enter data to generate a public notice that meets federal
requirements. The program takes users through the 10 required elements
of a public notice and allows users to insert and edit EPA’s recommended
text. PNiWriter is a web based applications that requires internet
access to use.
Revised Public Notification Handbook PDF (154
pp, 1,653 K)
816-R-07-003, March 2007
This guide was developed for community water systems and
non-transient non-community water systems. It provides instructions and
includes templates that can be used for various types of public notices.
Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-community Water Systems
PDF (77 pp, 955 K)
816-R-07-004, March 2007
This guide was developed for transient non-community water systems.
It provides instructions and includes templates that can be used for
various types of public notices.
Microsoft Word files of PN templates
These templates can be used and customized by drinking water systems to
ensure they meet PN content requirements.
Washington State Department of Health
The Washington State Department of Health has
developed more than 2 dozen translations for informational statements to
use on notifications.
Quick Reference Guide PDF (4 pp, 23 K)
For other quick reference guides visit this page.
Fact Sheet: Final Drinking Water Public Notification Regulations
EPA 816-F-00-020, May 2000
Talking to your Customers about Chronic Contaminants in Drinking Water
PDF (2pp, 381K)
(About
PDF)
EPA 814-F-07-022, October 2007
State Implementation Guidance
816-R-01-010 / October 2001]
This guidance document and its appendices contain information that will
aid States in implementing the rule and applying for interim primacy.
Guidance Document PDF (69 pp, 759 K)
Appendices PDF (148 pp, 768 K)
Primacy Revision Crosswalk
Word Perfect File (239 K)
Microsoft Word File (535 K)
Training Materials
This Powerpoint presentation provides guidance to state and EPA staff on
how to implement the revised rule.
Powerpoint Slides (124 pp, 892 K)
PDF Version (124 pp,275 K)
_____________________
April 15, 2008
Latest AWWA Memo on Pharmaceuticals
Click here
for more information
_____________________
March 26, 2008
Article from: The Philadelphia Inquirer
OK . . . take a deep breath, have a drink of water, and look at this clearly.
> For more than a decade, studies have shown that pharmaceutical drugs and their by-products are finding their way into the water supply, affecting the drinking water of millions of Americans.
> A 2002 U.S. Geological Survey study found that 80 percent of the streams tested had measurable amounts of drugs, steroids and reproductive hormones. Recent studies of Philadelphia-area supplies showed 56 pharmaceuticals or their by-products in treated drinking water; 63 such compounds were discovered in city watersheds.
> This is mostly a legacy of being rich enough to afford good health care. The sources for our local water have concentrations of these compounds, but the good news is that water-treatment facilities have good ways to filter out most of them.
> It's not clear yet how trace pharmas in water affect the human body. The amounts are extremely tiny - but they are powerful, they're there long-term, and who wants them? It's not cause for panic or paranoia - it's cause for more study.
> What science does know is that trace pharmas in water have a profound effect on plant and animal populations around the world. No doubt about that one.
> How do the drugs get there? One way we can't do much about: They move through the human body and out again into the water supply.
> What we can change is the heedless way we dispose of the drugs. We throw them in the trash - or, worse, flush them right into the water supply.
> So what should we do with untaken drugs?
> Follow the advice of the Office of National Drug Control Policy:
> (a) Trash with care - mix them with coffee grounds or cat litter (to discourage garbage drug thieves), seal them in a plastic bag, and then put them in the trash. Dumps and landfills often have linings that can prevent properly sealed drugs from leaching into groundwater.
> (b) Use drug take-back programs, run by some hospitals and pharmacies (check with your local) and a few drug companies.
> In the Pennsylvania legislature, House Bill 2073, now in committee (but it's been there since November - giddyup!), is a good start. It requires drug retailers to have take-back programs, and to inform consumers of disposal options for unused drugs.
> A lot else could happen:
> Towns have special days and ways for picking up trees, electronic components, batteries, etc. Why not do the same for unused drugs? Models exist in Oregon, Wisconsin and California.
> Drug companies should continue trying to design drugs so that their post-metabolic remains are not water-soluble.
> Everyone is entitled to water he or she can trust - and by and large, we have it. You are what you drink - but you shouldn't be what other folks throw away.
___________________
March 10, 2008
AWWA News Release regarding Pharmaceuticals in Drinking
Water
Click here for
more information
Public Affairs Advisory
___________________
February 19, 2008
AWWA: Facts and Filters...Helping Consumers Make Smart
Choices About Home Treatment Devices
Making Smart Choices
About Home Treatment Devices
Activated Carbon Filters
Reverse Osmosis
Water Softeners
___________________
December 20, 2007
The AWWA attached advisory and appendices were sent out to
utilities on
December 20th in anticipation of an AP story about
pharmaceuticals/personal care products in drinking water.
Memo
What You Need to Know
Talking Points
__________________
August 10, 2007
DEP Answers Questions About Chloramines and Drinking Water in Pennsylvania
The Department of Environmental Protection understands that having access to clean and safe drinking water is an important component to preserving the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s citizens. DEP employs a number of different approaches and technologies to ensure that residents who depend on public drinking water supplies have such access.
In an effort to help people understand more about the use of chloramines in public drinking water systems, the following list of questions and answers provide more information about this common disinfectant.
Why do public water suppliers add disinfectants to my drinking water supply?
Disinfecting tap water is critical to protect the public from disease-causing microorganisms. Drinking water is disinfected to kill bacteria, viruses and other organisms that can cause serious illnesses and death. Disinfection of drinking water has improved public health by lowering the rates of infectious diseases (for example, typhoid, hepatitis and cholera) spread through untreated water. Common disinfectants include chlorine and chloramines.
What is chloramine?
Chloramine is a disinfectant used to treat drinking water. It is formed by mixing chlorine with ammonia. Although it is a weaker disinfectant than chlorine, it is more stable which extends its disinfectant benefits throughout a water utility's distribution system (a system of pipes water is delivered to homes through). Some water systems use chloramine as a secondary disinfectant to maintain a disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system so that drinking water remains safe as it travels from the treatment facility to the customer. Chloramine has been used by water systems for almost 90 years, and its use is closely regulated.
What are the advantages of using chloramine?
Since chloramine is not as reactive as chlorine, its use can reduce the formation of cancer-causing disinfection byproducts, such as the trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. Because a chloramine residual is more stable and longer lasting than free chlorine, it provides better protection against bacterial regrowth in distribution systems. Chloramine, like chlorine, is effective in controlling biofilm, a coating in the pipe caused by bacteria. Controlling biofilm also tends to reduce coliform bacteria concentrations and biofilm-induced corrosion of pipes. Because chloramine does not tend to react with organic compounds, many systems will experience fewer taste and odor complaints when using chloramine. Chloramine technology is relatively easy to install and operate. It also is among the less expensive disinfectant alternatives to chlorine.
What are the disadvantages of using chloramine?
Chloramine levels are more complicated to regulate than chlorine levels. Failure to properly control and monitor the treatment process can cause undesirable chemical reactions such as increased corrosion of pipes or nitrification in the distribution system. Corrosion can cause leaching of lead and copper from pipes and solder. Nitrification can cause a loss of disinfectant residual. Proper operation and management of the treatment sytem and disinfectant levels prevents these potential drawbacks to the use of chloramines. In addition, chloramine will deteriorate natural rubber products like toilet tank "flapper valves" faster than chlorine. Alternative synthetic products are available in plumbing and hardware stores if rubber deterioration becomes a problem.
How many people use drinking water that has been treated with chloramine?
Approximately one-third of all public water systems in the United States use chloramine for residual disinfection. In a 1998 national survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that water systems serve drinking water containing chloramine residuals to more than 68 million people across the country. In Pennsylvania, 73 public water systems serving more than 4 million people receive water containing these residuals.
Does chloramine cause a skin rash or irritate my lungs when I shower or bathe?
Drinking water chloramine levels that meet the EPA standard are associated with minimal to no risk and should be considered safe. According to Dr. Jeffrey K. Griffiths at the Tufts University School of Medicine. "There is no scientific literature to support the contention that chloramine or ammonia exposures of any significance occur because of respiration. The levels of ammonia found in chlorinated water do not act as a skin irritant given their very low levels, and the levels of ammonia found in chloraminated water are dwarfed by the amounts of ammonia found in foodstuffs."
Irritating effects to the eyes and nose, stomach discomfort or anemia can occur by drinking water containing chloramines well in excess of the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels. High levels would only occur with improper operation of the water treatment and distribution system. DEP reviews and approves the use of chloramines and all other chemicals or additives in public drinking water systems. In addition, DEP reviews the suitability of all proposed equipment and its operational requirements to ensure that all facilities are effectively and reliably operated to produce finished water that meets all current Pennsylvania standards for safe drinking water.
Does chloramine increase lead levels in my drinking water?
Regardless of whether a water system uses chlorine or chloramine for disinfection, optimum treatment for lead control is important. In some instances, water systems have experienced elevated lead levels immediately after converting to chloramine. These problems were usually attributable to unique circumstances and are avoidable if the conversion process is monitored and managed properly.
Will chloramine irritate my skin or lungs while swimming in a pool?
Proper water quality maintenance in pools will prevent skin and lung irritation. Most swimming pool owners use chlorine as a disinfectant. Inadequate chlorine addition or improper pH levels can contribute to the creation of chemical compounds, such as dichloramine and trichloramine, which are the most likely causes for irritation from swimming. Maintaining a pH level of 7.2 to 7.8 is necessary to control the formation of dichloramine and trichloramine. The type of disinfectant used to treat water does not change the necessary chemical maintance for swimming pool owners nor does it alter the effectiveness of those chemicals used for treatment.
How does chloramine affect dialysis patients?
Dialysis centers and hospitals are notified before a water system converts to chloramine. Like chlorine, chloramine residuals need to be removed from water that is used for dialysis machines. These machines already contain carbon filters that are designed to remove chlorine and chloramines. As part of their standard test procedures, technicians check for total chlorine residuals (due to chloramine) to ensure the residual is zero. A change in the disinfectant used to treat the water will not impact or require any change in the normal operation of dialysis machines.
How does chloramine affect aquarium hobbyists and fishpond owners?
Chloramine residuals need to be removed from water that is added to aquariums and fishponds. Aquarium hobbyists may obtain an inexpensive conditioner and a test kit from a local pet store or aquarium supply store. Alternatively, hobbyists may purchase a carbon filtration system that is designed to remove chloramine. Pond owners may need to purchase a conditioner or ammonia binder in bulk quantities if more than one percent of the total water volume in the pond is replaced at one time.
Where can I learn more?
Visit EPA’s Web page containing "Information about Chloramine in Drinking Water" at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/chloramine/index.html
Source: DEP Daily Update, 8/10/07 http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=527537
______________________
