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The Latest AWWA, U.S. EPA, PA. DEP, Legislative and Regulatory Information:

  
JUST IN: AWWA Press Release

Below please find the link to a press release that went out to media this morning announcing the AWWA new officers and appointees.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/012612PresAnnouncement.pdf

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Pennvest Update

Dear potential PENNVEST’s Nutrient Credit Auctions participant,

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

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AWWA Washington Report

AWWA Washington Report for January 18. In this newsletter, you will find the following articles:

·         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

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/011012ACERegistration.pdf

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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
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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

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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

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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.

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AWWA Public Affairs Advisory

Please find below a link to an AWWA Public Affairs Advisory concerning an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) report on water infrastructure and the economy, which was released today.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/121511ASCEinfrastructure.pdf

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AWWA Washington Report

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
Legislative Director
American Water  Works Association
1300 Eye St. NW
Suite 701W
Washington, DC  20005

202 326-6128

tholmes@awwa.org

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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

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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
2011 Congressional to define lead free

http://www.nsf.org/media/enews/pbulletin_1106.html#art2

Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

 ___________________________

 

Governor’s Report: $11.4 Billion In Drinking Water System Work Needed In PA

 

Every three years, in accordance with the 1996 Amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Department of Environmental Protection is required to produce a "Capability Enhancement Program Report to the Governor."
           The report outlines the challenges DEP faces as it assists public drinking water systems in enhancing their technical, managerial and financial capability to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s drinking water infrastructure as part of the Capability Enhancement Program.
            CEP involves a hands-on, cooperative effort from a small state staff that draws on the many TMF resources available throughout the state.
            Critical findings of the gap study include:
-- $11.4 billion in construction must be done over the coming 20 years in Pennsylvania to repair or enhance the state’s drinking water infrastructure;
-- The total governmental funding expected to be available for award (to satisfy both drinking water and wastewater needs) is $1.1 billion;
-- Pennsylvania’s drinking water capital assets are seriously deteriorated and slowly getting worse;
-- There is a huge gap ($8.1 billion at current user charge rates) between how much money systems will need statewide over the next 20 years and how much they can expect to have using existing local, state and federal financial resources; and
-- If user rates were to increase, where needed, to 1.5 percent of median household income, the 20-year gap is reduced to $3.7 billion.
            Other issues of concern identified in the report are:
-- Only a small percentage of drinking water systems apply Asset Management principles;
-- System revenues are sometimes used by local authorities for non-drinking water purposes;
-- Some systems do not have certified operators, or when they do have operators they are improperly certified; and
-- Some systems have inadequate operation and maintenance or security and emergency response plans.
            Some of CEP’s achievements are:
-- Improved TMF capability for approximately 200 systems through specific, on-site assistance;
-- Individual assistance in completing TMF assessments to pinpoint system weaknesses and strengths in the areas of TMF capabilities; and
-- Coordination with state and federal agencies to secure grant and low-interest loan funding for public water system construction projects.
            A copy of the report is available online.  For more information, contact Brian Schlauderaff, Chief of Operational Services, by sending email to: bschlauder@pa.gov or call 717-772-5620.

 

11/28/2011

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AWWA Public Affairs Advisory

Below please find the link to an AWWA advisory that went to utility members last Wednesday with information from DHS and the FBI stating that there is no evidence of an alleged computer hacking incident at a utility in Springfield, Illinois.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/112311cyberFollowup.pdf
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AWWA Regulatory Alert

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

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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
Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

 _____________________________

 

 

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

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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.

Click here for more information


Patti Kay Wisniewski
Drinking Water Security Coordinator
Drinking Water Branch (3WP21)
US EPA
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA  19103-2029
215-814-5668 / 215-814-2302 NEW FAX
CELL PHONE: 215-514-7893
email: wisniewski.patti-kay@epa.gov

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AWWA Public Affairs Advisory

Please find below a link to an AWWA Public Affairs Advisory regarding a Science Advisory Board report to U.S. EPA regarding partial lead service line replacements. It was distributed to AWWA Utility Members today.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/092811LeadSABepaReport.pdf


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PLSLR Update from EPA

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.

The report has been posted on  EPA's website and here is the link to the report:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/964CCDB94F4E6216852579190072606F/$File/EPA-SAB-11-015-unsigned.pdf

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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.

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 DEP Announces Reorganization Plans

All,

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,

Mike Krancer

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SENATORS UNVEIL FLOOD RELIEF LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

By Matt Hess
PLS

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.”

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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

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CCR under review


http://www.epa.gov/improvingregulations/

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Pennsylvania State Police Urge Vigilance as Sept. 11 Anniversary Nears;

Residents Reminded to Call Toll-Free Terrorism Tip Line

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

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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

 WIFIA Info

Tommy Holmes
Legislative Director

American Water  Works Association
1300 Eye St. NW
Suite 701W
Washington, DC  20005

202 326-6128

tholmes@awwa.org

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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

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AWWA Press Release

Below please find an AWWA press release that went out to trade media Friday morning regarding an upcoming webcast on imminent NPDES pesticide application regulations and permitting from the USEPA.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/080511NPDESWebcast.pdf


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AWWA Utility Advisory

Below please find the link to an advisory that went out to AWWA utility members this morning requesting their response to a short survey about online analytical methods currently being utilized by their utility.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/080511OnLineAnalyticalMethod.pdf


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AWWA Public Affairs Advisory

Below please find the link to a public affairs advisory that went out to AWWA utility members last Thursday regarding lead service line replacement, and an anticipated news story from the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/080411LeadServiceLineReplacement.pdf

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EPA Publishes Rule to Improve Reporting of Chemical Information


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 2, 2011

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. 

“Collecting this critical information on widely used chemicals will enable EPA to more effectively identify and address potential chemical risks,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The new electronic reporting requirement and limits on confidentiality claims also will bring EPA’s data collection effort into the 21st Century and give the American people greater access to a wider range of information on chemicals to which their children and families are exposed every day.”

The CDR rule, which falls under the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory update rule (IUR), requires more frequent reporting of critical information on chemicals and requires the submission of new and updated information relating to potential chemical exposures, current production volume, manufacturing site-related data, and processing and use-related data for a larger number of chemicals. The improved information will allow EPA to better identify and manage risks associated with chemicals.

EPA is requiring companies to submit the information through the Internet, using EPA’s electronic reporting tool. On-line reporting will improve both data quality and EPA’s ability to use the data, as well as make it more accessible to the public.

Companies will be required to start following the new reporting requirements in the next data submission period, which will occur February 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012.

More information about the CDR Rule and reporting program is available at www.epa.gov/iur.

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AWWA Utility Alert

Please find below a link to an AWWA utility alert concerning recent research that found no link between fluoride and cancerous bone tumors.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/080111FluorideBoneCancer.pdf

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AWWA Press Release

Below please find the link to a press release that went out to trade media this morning announcing the publication of the revised AWWA G100 Standard, and a new supplemental Operational Guide.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/080111G100.pdf

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AWWA Press Release

Below please find a press release that went out to trade media yesterday morning announcing AWWA’s new publication, Utility Management for Water and Wastewater Operators.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/072511UtilityMgmtforOps.pdf

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AWWA Press Releases
 

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/071811hospitalWaterER.pdf

 

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/071811M60.pdf

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AWWA Regulatory Alert

Below please find a link to an AWWA regulatory alert regarding a recent oversight hearing on EPA's Unregulated Drinking Water Contaminants Program.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/071411GaoReportEPAhearing.pdf

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Two new guidance documents addressing the development of emergency water supplies

There are two new guidance documents addressing the development of emergency water supplies.  These are:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Water Works Association. Emergency water supply planning guide for hospitals and health care facilities. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2011.

This document can be found at:  http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/emergency-water-supply-planning-guide.pdf

Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply
Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Homeland Security Research Center by American Water Works Association and CDM, June 2011

This is available at:  http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?address=nhsrc/&dirEntryId=235197

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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
Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2011

EPA Seeks Input from Small Entities on Revisions for the Lead and Copper Rule
             
WASHINGTON
-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. The panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that proposes revisions to the lead and copper rule.

EPA’s reconsideration of the current rule is based on a national review of the implementation of the lead and copper rule. The review identified several areas of concern about the effectiveness of the existing regulations. The changes under consideration are intended to improve the effectiveness of the measures to safeguard public health to control lead and copper in drinking water.
             
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires EPA to establish an SBAR Panel for rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration, the Office of Management and Budget, and EPA.  The panel asks a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their company, community, or organization to inform the panel about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.

Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by July 12, 2011.

Submit online at:
http://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/leadandcopper.htm

I
nformation about the lead and copper rule: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/index.cfm

R217
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser. 

 View all news releases related to water

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PA DEP Drinking Water News Summer Edition

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

Click here for PDF

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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
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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:

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_management/10543/drinking_water_topics_a-z/971734

        Please forward this e-mail to anyone who may be interested in this information.  Thank you!

Future Web page on the horizon…

  • Create a DEP LCR webpage that will include links to EPA guidance and PE documents, new DEP LCR resources, etc…  Stay posted.

Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist

Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

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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

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EPA Releases Searchable Website for Drinking Water Violations

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika
kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2011


EPA Releases Searchable Website for Drinking Water Violations

Agency to host webinar to show how to use the public health data


WASHINGTON
— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced improvements to the availability and usability of drinking water data in the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) tool. ECHO now allows the public to search to see whether drinking water in their community met the standards required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which is designed to safeguard the nation’s drinking water and protect people’s health. SDWA requires states to report drinking water information periodically to EPA. ECHO also includes a new feature identifying drinking water systems that have had serious noncompliance.

“Today’s improvements to EPA’s ECHO tool support President Obama’s directive to make it easier for the public to search for and use the information we collect,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Improved access to information about our nation’s drinking water is critical for communities, nonprofit organizations, public water suppliers, regulators and industry that all have a stake in ensuring the water in our communities is safe and healthy to drink.”

The new Safe Drinking Water Act information on EPA’s website provides:

- Users with information about whether their drinking water has exceeded drinking water standards.
- A serious violators report that lists all water suppliers with serious noncompliance.
- EPA’s 2009 National Public Water Systems Compliance Report, which is a national summary of compliance and enforcement at public drinking water systems. 

The serious violators list identifies water systems that have had serious noncompliance due to a combination of unresolved violations. The data in ECHO shows that overall, the number of systems identified as serious violators continues to decrease due to lead agencies, in most cases the states, more efficiently addressing serious noncompliance. Currently, approximately 4 percent of all public water systems are considered serious violators. Through increased oversight and enforcement efforts, EPA will continue to work to reduce the rate of noncompliance and the number of public water systems that are serious violators.

Under the SDWA, water suppliers are required to promptly inform customers if drinking water has been contaminated by something that could cause immediate illness or impact people’s health. If such a violation occurs, the water system will announce the violation and provide information about the potential health effects, steps the system is taking to correct the violation, and the need to use alternative water supplies (such as boiled or bottled water) until the problem is corrected. Systems inform customers about violations of less immediate concern in the first water bill sent after the violation, in a Consumer Confidence Report, or by mail. 

EPA’s enforcement goals for clean water include working with states and tribes to ensure clean drinking water for all communities and improving transparency by making facility compliance data available to the public. The release of drinking water violations data in ECHO advances these goals and creates additional incentives for government agencies to improve their reporting of drinking water violations and increase efforts to address those violations.

EPA will host a webinar demonstrating how to use the Safe Drinking Water Act violation information in ECHO on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. EDT. The demonstration will show users how to search for information about local water quality, how to compare data by state, and highlight other features of the tool.

Reserve webinar seat: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/787466401
Safe Drinking Water Act search page:  http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/compliance_report_sdwa.html
Enforcement and Compliance History Online tool: http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/

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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.

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AWWA Regulatory Alert

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

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DEP Drinking Water Website Enhancement Information
Special thanks to: Deb Rotz, PA DEP Water Program Specialist

Click here for more information
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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

Federal policy regarding lead service line replacement is approaching some critical decision points.  AWWA is conducting a survey on such replacements to provide a more informed discussion to EPA and others.  The attached memo has gone out to Section leadership and a utility alert will be sent out next week on this.  Please watch for these; we are looking for a strong response to make sure we have an accurate picture of what is going on in the real world.

LCLRS Survey
Memo and Fact Sheet

Tommy Holmes
Legislative Director
American Water Works Association
1300 Eye St. NW
Suite 701W
Washington, DC  20005

202 326-6128


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AWWA Washington Report
Please find attached the latest AWWA Washington DC Report.  In this issue:

Budget Cuts Affect SRFs, But Levels Still Above Average

Click here for more information

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AWWA Washington Report

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

AWWA Washington Report April 8, 2011

________________________

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
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

__________________________ 

AWWA Utility Advisory

Below please find the link to an advisory that went to utility members yesterday afternoon. It is regarding yesterday's announcement from the Environmental Working Group on Chromium-6 testing by utilities, and potential media inquiries that may result from the announcement.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/040411ewg%5B1%5D.pdf

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AWWA Utility Advisory

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.

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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. 
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/032811LeadServiceLineReplacement.pdf

The second advisory includes updated information and recommendations on concerns over radiation and drinking water.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/032811RadiationUpdate.pdf

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/032311EPAradiation.pdf

The second advisory is regarding a new series of videos on water sampling that are now available to AWWA members free of charge.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/032311TECVideos.pdf

Thank you,
AWWA Public Affairs

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NPDES FAQ's on Marcellus Shale Drilling

NPDES FAQ from EPA on Marcellus shale drilling

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/hydrofracturing.cfm

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PA DEP  CCR News

FYI to the Water Community:

 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
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/030311EPApesticide.pdf

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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

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PA DEP "Monitoring Waiver" Information

Water Community: 

        Here's the link to our new "Monitoring Waiver" web page:

 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_regulations,_standards___resources/10544/monitoring_waivers/821540

         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

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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

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February 3, 2011...DEP Public Notification Update and Website Link
 

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:

 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_drinking_water/10549/public_notification/553901

        Please share this e-mail with anyone who is interested in this information.  Thank you!

Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist

Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

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February 2, 2011...AWWA Regulatory Alert and Press Release

Below please find the link to a regulatory alert from the American Water Works Association regarding today's announcement from the EPA that it intends to move forward with development of a drinking water standard for perchlorate. 

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/PressReleases/020211TestimonySenate.pdf

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January 31, 2011...AWWA Legislative/Regulatory Alert

Please find below a link to an advisory regarding an AWWA letter delivered Friday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The letter expresses concern about EPA's recent activities related to chromium-6. Also included in the advisory is information on upcoming AWWA testimony before a U.S. Senate Committee.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/012811chromiumLetterTestimony.pdf

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January 26, 2011...CCR Reporting Requirements Info

FYI for the Water Community from PA DEP:

         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
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Template and Instructions (For Systems Using Only Groundwater Sources)
2011 CCR Revisions for Surface Water Systems
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Template and Instructions (For Systems Using Only Surface Water Sources)

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January 25, 2011:

DEP "Monitoring Waiver" web page:

 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_regulations,_standards___resources/10544/monitoring_waivers/821540

         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

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/012111FluorideRecording.pdf


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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/012411WefResolutionFinal.pdf

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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/012111WaterManagementWebcast.pdf

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January 12, 2011:AWWA Regulatory Alert

Below please find the link to a regulatory advisory that went to AWWA utility members this afternoon regarding today’s announcement from the USEPA, and
its guidance to drinking water systems on monitoring for hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI).

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/011111EPACr-6MonitoringGuidance.pdf

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/010711FluorideAnnouncement.pdf

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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/010711FluorideAWWAStatement.pdf

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January 6, 2011: AWWA Press Release

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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/010511LeadLegislation.pdf

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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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/010411Fluoride.pdf

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January 3, 2011: AWWA Public Affairs Advisory
Please find below a link to an AWWA Public Affairs Advisory concerning a U.S. EPA public statement regarding chromium-6:

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/122210ChromiumEPA.pdf

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December 20, 2010: AWWA Press Release

Below please find the link to a statement that went out to national media
from the American Water Works Association responding to the report on chromium-VI issued today by the Environmental Working Group.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/122010chromiumEWG.pdf

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December 14, 2010: Chapter 109 now includes 5 New Rules

Dear Drinking Water Staff and Water Industry Folks:

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.

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_regulations%2C_standards___resources/10544

2010 Chapter 109 Index

Please share this e-mail with others who may be interested in this information. 

Special Thanks to:
Deb Rotz
 | Water Program Specialist

Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

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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

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November 8, 2010:

Operator Cert Regulations, Chapter 302 finalized on September 18, 2010
 

Very Important article regarding the regulations by Ian Scott Sykes and Veronica Kasi

Click here for the article

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October 28, 2010...AWWA Public Affairs

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

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October 27, 2010...AWWA Security Alert

Below please find the link to a security alert that went to utility members yesterday afternoon, regarding a potential security threat to water utility SCADA systems.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/102610scadaICScert.pdf

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October 14, 2010

Notice of a Public Meeting: Stakeholder Meeting Concerning EPA's Long-Term

Revisions to the Regulation of Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

Official PDF XML

Publication Date:

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Action: Notice.

Dates: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Time (ET)).

Entry Type:Notice

Page:

63177-63178 (2 pages)

Document Citation:

75 FR 63177

Docket ID:

FRL-9213-1

Document Number:

2010-25901

Shorter URL:

http://federalregister.gov/a/2010-25901

Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has convened a regulatory workgroup to evaluate potential long-term revisions to EPA's regulations for the control of lead and copper in drinking water. This set of regulations is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). EPA is holding a stakeholder meeting to provide information to the public and an opportunity for the public to provide input on potential revisions to the LCR under consideration by the Agency. Discussion topics may include but are not limited to lead service line replacement, actions that could be taken at schools and monitoring procedures and sample site selection. Teleconferencing will be available for individuals unable to attend the meeting in person.Show citation box

Table of Contents

DATES:

The public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Time (ET)).Show citation box

ADDRESSES: 

The meeting will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-2208.Show citation box

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

For general inquiries, please contact The Safe Drinking Water Hotline, Telephone (800) 426-4791 or e-mail: hotline-sdwa@epa.gov. For information about this meeting, contact Jerry Ellis, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; telephone (202) 564-2766 or by e-mail to ellis.jerry@epa.gov. For those that would like to participate via teleconference, please contact Junie Percy of IntelliTech at (937) 427-4148 ext. 210 or by e-mail to j unie.percy@itsysteminc.com for teleconference information.Show citation box

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Lead and Copper Rule is contained in 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart I. We encourage those planning to attend or participate via teleconference to register for the meeting by calling Junie Percy of IntelliTech at (937) 427-4148 ext. 210 or by e-mail to junie.percy@itsysteminc.com no later than November 1, 2010. There is no charge for attending this public meeting, but seats are limited, so register as soon as possible. Walk-in attendees are allowed, but seating preference will be given to those who have pre-registered. Individual oral comments should be limited to no more than five minutes and it is preferred that only one person present the statement on behalf of a group or organization.Show citation box

Special Accommodations

For information on access or request for special accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact Junie Percy at IntelliTech at (937) 427-4148 ext. 210 or by e-mail to junie.percy@itsysteminc.com Please allow at least five business days prior to the meeting to allow time to process your request.Show citation box

Dated: October 7, 2010.

Cynthia C. Dougherty,

Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.

[FR Doc. 2010-25901 Filed 10-13-10; 8:45 am]
 

Click here for more information

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October 8, 2010
AWWA Communications

The utility alert was sent to utility members soliciting participation in a survey on electronic CCR’s.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/100110CCRSurvey.pdf

The press release was sent to trade media, announcing an upcoming AWWA webcast.
http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/PressReleases/100110WaterTankPart2.pdf

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The EPA Office of Water, Water Security Office released 2 new software tools to the water sector and other organizations to help ensure the continued security of our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems.

    • New tools include: Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT) & Water Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT): posted

Tools and Technical Assistance

EPA provides tools and technical assistance to the water sector and other organizations to help ensure the continued security of our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems. Available resources assist water utilities in performing risk assessments and developing effective emergency response plans. Trained environmental professionals, scientists, and engineers provide information on technological advances in water security and supply technical assistance to the water sector and other agencies. Health care providers can access resources that can help them to recognize and manage waterborne disease. The tools listed below can help water utilities and public health and safety personnel to develop and apply appropriate antiterrorism measures and to respond effectively in the event of an incident.

  • newvsat logoVulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT)– A risk assessment software tool for water, wastewater, and combined utilities of all sizes. The tool assists drinking water and wastewater owners and operators in performing security threats and natural hazards risk assessments, as well as updating utility Emergency Response Plans. EPA, in collaboration with Water Sector partners, has updated VSAT to be consistent with the 2007 Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection framework. The upgraded tool includes a new user-interface, an enhanced natural disaster threat assessment process, and a revised risk assessment approach.

    • For an overview of our VSAT tool, please see the following fact sheet:
      VSAT Fact Sheet (PDF) (2pp, 86K)
      EPA 817-F-10-015
      September, 2010

 

·  newwheat logoWater Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT) - This tool is designed to assist drinking water utility owners and operators in quantifying public health impacts, utility financial costs, and regional economic impacts of an adverse event, based on a variety of asset-threat combinations that pose a risk to the water sector. Existing WHEAT modules currently analyze two event scenarios—the release of a hazardous gas and the loss of operating assets in a drinking water distribution system—and provide information that can be used as part of a comprehensive risk assessment. Future WHEAT modules will analyze drinking water contamination and wastewater system hazardous gas releases and loss of operating assets scenarios.

  • For an overview of our WHEAT tool, please see the following fact sheet:
    WHEAT Fact Sheet (PDF) (2pp, 128K)
    EPA 817-F-10-013
    September, 2010

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September 27, 2010: AWWA Advisory
 

Please find below a Public Affairs advisory that went out drawing attention to a DEA pharmaceuticals takeback program.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/092410TakeBackDrugs%5F1285345527101.pdf

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September 1, 2010: AWWA Regulatory Alert
 

Please find below a link to an AWWA Regulatory Alert that went out today regarding a comment period extension for the Revised Total Coliform Rule. Comments are now due Oct. 13.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/090110secondRTCRalert.pdf

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August 27, 2010: AWWA Utility Advisory

Please find below a link to an AWWA Utility Advisory that went out today seeking feedback on the possible creation of a tool to evaluate drinking water utility sustainability.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/08272010SustainabilitySurvey.pdf


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August 10, 2010

AWWA Regulatory Alert

Below please find the link to a regulatory alert that went to AWWA utility members this morning, requesting that they review EPA’s suggested revisions to the Total Coliform Rule.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/081010RTCRalert.pdf.

For questions, please contact Steve Via at svia@awwa.org.

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August 6, 2010:

IRRC Unanimously Approves Final-Form Regulations RE:  Administration of the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators’ Certification Program

 On August 5, 2010 the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) met to consider seven regulation, including 2774 Environmental Quality Board #7-433: Administration of the Water and Wastewater systems Operators’ Certification Program

 Commissioner Fineman asked if the Board has the statutory authority to issue the regulation. Leslie Lewis Johnson, Chief Counsel for the Commission, affirmed “the Department can promulgate this regulatory package.”

 Veronica Kasi, Chief of Division of Technical Assistance and Outreach for the Department of Environmental Protection, said the regulations are “in response to amendments to the 1996 Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and a program has been in place since October 2002 to meet the requirements under that federal act, if we don’t continue to implement the program and meet those requirements we stand to lose 20 percent of the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund which for 2010 is $7.4 million.” She noted that the Board did a “significant amount of outreach,” which included a number of workshops and public hearings for all affected parties.

 Serena DiMagno, Legislative Regulatory Chairman of the Water Works Association of Pennsylvania, took issue with the term “consequences” that is found in the regulation. “The term consequences in both the legal and common dictionary definitions relates to results that are beyond the immediate and direct control of an operator; by its own common response document statement, DEP has confirmed that it is the intention of the Department to hold individual operators legally responsible for results that occur remotely or indirectly from their actions which can include permit violations,” she stated. “This situation becomes further complicated with the introduction of entirely new reporting requirements.”

 “We sincerely hope the Commission will consider the impact of reversing a long-standing legal concept of the employer’s right to assign duties to their employees,” DiMagno stated. “We ask the Commission to consider the strict liability created for operators by statute; Section 1014C of the Act states ‘operators can be held liable for violations of their obligations regardless of willfulness or negligence.’ We and other associations have voiced our concerns for this issue repeatedly with the Department. No other professionals, including doctors, engineers, lawyers, or accountants, are held to strict liability and have the ability to obtain liability coverage. No professional is infallible and a strict liability provision of these regulations exposes operators to undue personal financial risk.”

 Chairman Arthur Coccodrilli said the Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Operator Certification provides protections to operators including the following:

 · Recognizing the certified operator cannot be held responsible for consequences beyond his control due to a lack of resources provided by the owner of the system;

 · Recognizing the certified operator cannot be held responsible for actions done by a negligent employee or with malice;

 · Requires the Department to petition a Certification Board to suspend or modify or revoke a operator’s license etc.

 · Gives the certified operator a chance to remedy the situation through compliance with a Department order.

 Chairman Coccodrilli questioned, “Are you saying that people should not be held responsible for the job they are doing and are you saying that what the Department has provided is not true?” DiMagno said “there are instances in which an operator will be held responsible that they cannot control.” In regard to enforcement actions that have been taken since 2002, “in many instances those operators because of the expense involved to defend against those kinds of charges have simply surrendered their licenses.”

 Chairman Coccodrilli said “it’s a matter of accepting responsibility for your actions” and emphasized that “there are protections in here that shows me that the Department has been more than gracious in doing what they have to do.”

 Randy Hurst, Member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association, stated “we have tried since 2002 to work with DEP and we have been treated with disrespect, with dishonesty and they are now not only are they lying to us but are lying about us.”

 Commissioner Fineman took issue with Hurst saying the association was treated dishonestly. “State employees are trying their hardest to do a good job at what are probably wages that they have a heck of lot of problems with considering the budgetary problems, so when someone says they were dealt with dishonestly they should certainly have information to give before they make those comments,” he stated. Hurst stood by his remark and said “they claim that the associations helped develop the regulations, but in fact our organizations have consistently, repeatedly and perspicuously objected to these regulations.” Commissioner John Mizner questioned “if there is not one single thing in these proposed regulations that you or organization supports, agrees with, suggested or recommended to the Department.” Hurst indicated that there are issues that the organization agrees with.

 Commissioner Bedwick said “the focus of our consideration must be on the criteria within the Regulatory Review Act” and noted “you could prove to me that they lied to you through the process and it would be irrelevant if it complies with both the statutory authority and the other criteria in the Act.”

 Hurst said “there are specific requirements in the regulations that go beyond what the law says” and creates confusion in the operator community. Commissioner Fineman reiterated that Johnson said the regulations could be issued and questioned if it is the association’s position that it cannot be issued. Hurst said “there are several ways in which these regulations conflict with and are contrary to existing law.” Commissioner Fineman asked again if the regulations are authorized by existing law. Hurst stated “we have a long standing common law tradition that goes back centuries, the concept of agency and the employer and employee relationships” and emphasized “those relationships are long-established an reliable and what these regulations do is say ‘that’s going to be different now’ and employer may no longer assign duties to a certified operator.” Commissioner Fineman questioned again if the Board is authorized to change the law. Hurst said “absolutely not.” Johnson said “when we looked at the regulation, we did not see that while the Department was adding a lot of requirements to the regulation, we didn’t find that it actually altered the underlying statute.”

 Commissioner Bedwick said “what the question comes down to is: what would be your position in terms of what the Legislature meant by the words’ including but not limited to’.” Hurst said “when they say ‘included but limited to’ doesn’t mean anything at all, it’s not carte blanche” and emphasized “there are particular issues in here that are not reasonable.”

 Commissioner Bedwick questioned if it is the association’s position that it should not be covered by the Clean Streams Law. “What we’re saying is the liability as it exists now, is that the permittee is expected to comply with that permit and the permittee instructs his employs what to do; if those employees do what they’re supposed to do and there’s a permit violation, the permittee is liable,” Hurst stated. “This says we’re not going to do that anymore. These rules say if you make a mistake, something goes wrong you are responsible for the consequences, which as you know, is a permit violation. I know things are going to go wrong no matter how hard I work. I can’t control when a bolt is going to break, I can’t control when something weird comes into the treatment plant and it kills all of the bacteria. Nevertheless, I’m the one that’s there and the permit violation happened and these regulations say I’m responsible for it. Holding operators individually responsible for their wrong actions is certainly valid, holding operators responsible for any consequences for a decision they might make is way beyond the statute.”

 Commissioner Fineman questioned how the regulations compare to other states. Hurst stated “other states have nothing like this.”

 Chairman Coccodrilli said “people are hired to do a job if they do a job and there’s no malice in the decision making, there are all kinds of protections the Department has put down in writing.”

 William Murray, Chairman of the Western Brooks Water Authority, emphasized that there will be a great deal of litigation as a result of the regulations and indicated that there is not currently insurance available for operators. He said the regulations weaken the authority of the permittee and leave the liability of the operator unclear. “By giving the operator consequences to his actions and having this grey area legally creates a negative effect on the whole public protection,” he stated. “Right now if something goes wrong there is no doubt of who’s getting sued and who’s being held accountable.”

 Commissioner Bedwick questioned why permittees can get liability insurance and operators cannot. Murray stressed that insuring an individual is different than insuring an authority and opined that the operators are going to request a wage hike because of the regulations. Commissioner Fineman opined “you will pay an additional premium and what your company will require is for you to list on your policy your individual operators.”

 Hurst said “no underwriter will touch it, they will not do it.” Commissioner Fineman stated “they won’t touch them as an individual policy but if they’re working for somebody they’ll be listed under his policy.” Hurst responded “they can’t set a premium because they can’t calculate what the risk is.”

 Kasi then responded to several issues brought up by the associations. On the issue of what other states are doing, she stated “every state has regulations in place to comply with the guidelines that are comparable to ours or they lose 20 percent of the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund.”

 Commissioner Silvan Lutkewitte questioned if the activity of the permittee is the same as the operator. “The liability and responsibilities of the operator are much narrower than the responsibilities of the permittee and the owner,” Kasi stated. “The owner is responsible for everything that impacts that system and he is responsible for hiring the operator that is going to do the process control; the operator is then responsible for doing his job by operating that system.” Chairman Coccodrilli asked if the operator “is held responsible for only the things he is responsible for.” Kasi responded “that’s right.” Commissioner Bedwick questioned if the permittee is still responsible for overseeing the operator. Kasi stated “absolutely” and added “the Certification Act makes both the owner and the operator responsible.” She stressed that “the statute gave us the ability to put this program in place with interim guidelines and regs so in order to continue to be in compliance with federal requirements we’ve had to have the enforcement ability since 2002.” Kasi noted “since 1980 there have been nine operators filed against them.” Commissioner Fineman asked what the Department’s statutory authority is in issuing the regulations. Kasi said Section 4C of the Certification Act and Sections 13 and 14 of the Certification Act speak to the enforcement. Johnson agreed.

 Commissioner Fineman stressed “these regulations in no way limit in the liability of the permittee, it might increase the liability of an operator but it doesn’t limit the liability for the person who holds the permit in anyway.”

 Source:  The Pennsylvania Letter, Volume 1,  Number 314, 8/5/2010

_________________________

July 29, 2010: AWWA Washington Report

Attached please find the AWWA Washington Report for July 29, 2010.  In this issue,

-Senate Committee OK’s Chemical Bill Excluding Water Utilities

-Environment Panel Discusses Chemical Security Program for Water

Click here for more information

_________________________

July 14, 2010: AWWA Alert regarding NPDES Pesticide General Permit for Point Source Discharges

Below, please find the link to an AWWA regulatory alert regarding the opportunity to submit comments on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit for Point Source Discharges from the Application of Pesticides.

 http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/071310npdesPermit.pdf

_________________________

July 13, 2010

Subject:
EPA Proposal to revise the Total Coliform Rule

 http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15205.pdf

The above link is to the Federal Register notice of today (92 pages) announcing EPA's proposal of revisions to the Total Coliform Rule (RTCR).  Comments are due to EPA on or before September 13, 2010.

We encourage your review and comment on this proposal in order that a final rule can be developed taking into account implementation concerns you may have.  Please consider sharing your comments with us as well so that we can also raise your issues as we work on the final rule.

EPA Region 3's RTCR lead is Nick Tymchenko (tymchenko.nick@epa.gov).  Nick is also available to discuss or clarify provisions of this proposal and can be reached at 215-814-2022.

From the Preamble:  The proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule offers a meaningful
opportunity for greater public health protection beyond the current Total Coliform Rule. The proposed revisions require systems that have an indication of coliform contamination in the distribution system to assess the problem and take corrective action that may reduce cases of illnesses and deaths
due to potential fecal contamination and waterborne pathogen exposure. This proposal also updates provisions in other rules that reference analytical methods and other requirements in the
current TCR (e.g., Public Notification and Ground Water Rules). These proposed revisions are in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act as amended, which requires EPA to review
and revise, as appropriate, each national primary drinking water regulation promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act not less often than every six years. As with the current Total Coliform Rule, the proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule applies to all public water systems.

Questions:

Patti Kay Wisniewski
Drinking Water Security Coordinator &

      Rule Development Lead
Drinking Water Branch (3WP21)
US EPA
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA  19103-2029
215-814-5668/215-814-2318 FAX
CELL PHONE: 215-514-7893
email: wisniewski.patti-kay@epa.gov

_________________________

June 18, 2010: 2010 PN Revisions Training Questions and Answers:

        This 7-page document summarizes specific questions we received during our 19 PN Revisions training sessions. 

         The following revisions have been made to the PN web page:

 Added 3 new Tier 1 situations that relate to Long Term 2 Surface Water (LT2) and Ground Water (GW) Rules (see #7, 8, and 9 and on page 2)

Revised Tier 2 situations to include LT2 and GW rules (see #1 and 2 on page 2)

Posted the "2010 PN Revisions Training Q & A" (see page 8)

         Here's the link to the PN web page: 

 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_drinking_water/10549/public_notification/553901

         As soon as all of the LT2 and GW Tier 1 and Tier 2 templates are finalized, I will add them to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 PN templates section of this site. 

        

2010 PN Revisions Training Questions and Answers

Questions...Please contact: 
Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist

Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

___________________________

 

June 18, 2010: AWWA Regulatory Alert regarding Total Coliform Rule

Below, please find the link to an American Water Works Association regulatory alert concerning the EPA's proposed revisions to the Total Coliform Rule.  

 http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/061710revisedTCR.pdf

___________________________

June 15, 2010


Subject: DEP Answers Questions About Chloramines and Drinking Water in Pennsylvania

FYI – As a follow up to the NAWC Fact Sheet I sent today, below is a Q/A from DEP’s Web page and a link to EPA’s Web page containing “Information about Chloramine in Drinking Water.”   In addition, I’ve provided other links to information of interest on this topic.

DEP Answers Questions About Chloramines and Drinking Water in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG (Aug. 10, 2009) – 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 system 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 maintenance 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. As part of their standard test procedures, technicians check for total chlorine residuals (due to chloramine) to ensure the residual is zero. Some machines may need modifications depending on the method of chlorine removal that is currently used. A change in the disinfectant used to treat the water should not impact or require any change in the normal operation of dialysis machines. Home dialysis users should consult their physician or dialysis machine manufacturer for instructions.

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’s Web page, http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=7999&typeid=2

 Other Web pages of Interest

 American Water Works Association (AWWA)

 AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment. For more information go to www.awwa.org

 American Water

http://www.amwater.com/paaw/ensuring-water-quality/pa-chloramine-facts/pa-city-list.html

http://www.amwater.com/paaw/ensuring-water-quality/pa-chloramine-facts/pa-city-list.html

http://www.amwater.com/files/Fish-Boat%20Comm%20Lttr_11-2009.pdf

Engineering Feasibility Study on the Costs of Treatment Options for Reducing Disinfecting Byproducts in Public Drinking Water Systems in Vermont http://www.vermontdrinkingwater.org/  See page ES-8 in the Executive Summary.

Special Thanks to:

Erik A. Ross
Associate
Delta Development Group Inc.
2000 Technology Parkway
Suite 200
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-9407

717-441-9030 (Phone)

717-576-7461 (Cell)

eross@deltaone.com
www.deltaone.com

_______________________

June 10, 2010: Chloramines
 

NAWC Fact Sheet and Additional Information

_______________________



April 30, 2010: CCR Template Revisions

Dear Water Industry Folks:

         I have revised the CCR template and instruction documents (one for groundwater and one for surface water) and the CCR Water Supplier Checklist to include the new mandatory lead statement.  This mandatory lead statement is required on all CCRs. The special educational language when exceeding lead is no longer necessary. 

         The instructions include the note that water suppliers may now e-mail their CCRs to customers who have given them their e-mail addresses to save on delivery costs.  Since we are still receiving more than 1500 CCRs in Central Office, I am asking that you mail your DEP copy of your CCR to Central Office in lieu of e-mailing it here.  If you want to ask your local DEP sanitarian if he or she is willing to accept your CCR via e-mail, that's OK with us.  We want to make sure that someone is updating the CCR page so that you get credit for getting it to DEP on time. 

         If you need to determine if your CCR has been entered into PADWIS, we now report that information under the Drinking Water Reporting System page.  Here's the link to this page:

 http://www.drinkingwater.state.pa.us/dwrs/HTM/Welcome.html

         Select Inventory data, then select CCR submissions to review all CCR data within PADWIS.

         For this CCR year, we are encouraging DEP staff to use their enforcement discretion about the new CCR requirements for the new rules (GWR, LT2SWTR/DBP2, and LCRSTR).  By January 2011, I will have revised the CCR guidance with the new CCR requirements and water suppliers will be required to include these requirements in their 2011 CCR which is reporting their 2010 sample data.

         Here are the revised files that are also posted on eLibrary and on our CCR page which is found at the following link:

 http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_drinking_water/10549/consumer_confidence_reports/553926

Check above link for this information: 

CCR template and instructions for surface water systems

 CCR template and instructions for ground water systems

 CCR Water Supplier Checklist

         Please share this e-mail with other individuals within your organizations.  Thank you! 

 Deb Rotz | Water Program Specialist

Department of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717.772.2190 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.depweb.state.pa.us

_____________________________

 

April 9, 2010

The latest draft from DEP of the TDS regulation is available online at the DEP website at this link:

 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/water_resources_advisory_committee_(wrac)/14017

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

PA Groundwater Recharge Information Available in User-Friendly Report
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/03_02_10_Conservation%20Program%20Guide.pdf

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.)

www.depweb.state.pa.us

___________________

___________________

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 India.

 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.

http://www.awwa.org/files/GovtPublicAffairs/AdvisoriesAlerts/12%5F23%5F09%5Fassociated%5Fpress%5Fpharms.pdf

______________________


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 

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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

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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

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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

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August 19, 2009:

NEW!!!
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.

        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. 
 

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August 11, 2009


AWWA Legislative Alert: Chemical Security Legislation

Memo
Form Letter
AWWA Letter

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July 21, 2009


Subject:
EQB Proposed Regulation #7-433 (IRRC#2774): "Administration of the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators' Certification Program"

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) published this proposed regulation in the July 11th, 2009 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin

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.

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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

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May 14, 2009:  H1N1 Planning and Response for Water Utilities


AWWA Public Affairs Advisory: May 4, 2009
H1N1: Utility Talking Points
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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

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April 29, 2009

Important Information for Water Utilities

Pandemic Influenza Guidebook

Click here for more Information


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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
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April 15, 2009

AWWA advisory regarding an upcoming episode of PBS’s Frontline entitled “Our Poisoned Waters.” 

AWWA Public Affairs Advisory

press release

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.

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March 26, 2009
 

New Plan Outlines Statewide, Regional Priorities to Balance Competing Demands for Water
PA DEP Update

 HARRISBURG (March 26) -- As demand grows for Pennsylvania’s water resources, the commonwealth is offering comprehensive recommendations to help policymakers balance the demands of competing interests while protecting the quality and supply of water for residents and businesses, Environmental Protection acting Secretary John Hanger said today as he signed the new state water plan.

The plan was approved and adopted by Hanger at the recommendation of the Statewide Water Resources Committee at a ceremony in Harrisburg. Hanger was joined by representatives of the regional and statewide committees that created the plan following five years of public meetings throughout the state.

“The state water plan represents years of exhaustive and difficult work, and provides Pennsylvanians with a vision, goals and recommendations for meeting the challenges of sustainable water use over the next 15 years,” Hanger said. “Each region came to the table with its own priorities–protecting drinking water supplies, creating jobs, avoiding devastating floods, reducing mine drainage, and ensuring well thought out plans for how to use the land—but the statewide committee was able to craft a document that takes into account these many conflicting priorities and demands.”

The updated state water plan – the first since 1983 – was required under Act 220 of 2002 that created a Statewide Water Resource Committee and six regional water resource committees tasked with compiling and reviewing water-use data, taking public comment, identifying where existing and potential water-use conflicts and water quality issues may occur, and creating recommendations for the state water plan.

The plan consists of inventories of water availability, an assessment of current and future water demands and trends, assessments of resource management alternatives, and proposed methods of implementing recommended actions. It also analyzes problems and needs associated with specific water resource usage such as navigation, stormwater management and flood control.

Key components of the state water plan include:

  • An innovative Water Use Analysis Tool to determine where water demands may exceed available water supply. The tool now is being emulated in other states and being considered for use in other countries;

  • A Statewide and Regional Atlas to illustrate regional trends using maps, charts, pictures and text descriptions;

  • Water Plan Principles Document that includes policies, priorities and legislative recommendations and other suggestions to protect and enhance Pennsylvania’s water resources;

  • Registration and reporting regulations for large water users; and

  • Guidelines for identification of critical water planning areas.

The regional committees, representing each major river basin, included nearly 140 representatives from a wide variety of organizations representing business and industry, agriculture, local government, water and wastewater authorities, and environmental interests.

Committees conducted public hearings statewide beginning in October 2003 and presented final regional reports to the statewide committee.

The Statewide Water Resources Committee consisted of representatives of the General Assembly, heads of state agencies and state river basin commissions, and one member from each regional committee. The statewide committee combined and compiled input from the regional committees to create the new state water plan that focuses on broad issues common to all areas of the state.

“The state water plan is the culmination of time, energy and resources from countless individuals who, for the past five years, have been collecting and reviewing complex data, setting water management goals and priorities, and recommending specific actions for the future of water resources,” Hanger said. “We have set a baseline of sound science, but this is only the beginning of the process. We are now entering the next phase of the plan, which will involve action on the part of state agencies and the General Assembly to implement the plan’s recommendations.” 

To view the state water plan, the Pennsylvania Water Atlas and other related documents, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, then select “State Water Plan” under the Hot Topics heading.

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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

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Pennsylvania State Water Plan (Act 220)

Website info
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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”.

Click here for more information 

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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


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December 18, 2008

Important Public Notification Information:

 

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:

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December 11, 2008
 

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.


“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

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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

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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

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September 11, 2008

AWWA Pharmaceutical Advisory regarding upcoming AP story
Click here for more information


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May 23, 2008:

Public Notification (PN) from EPA's Website

Compliance Help

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.

For Water System Owners and Operators

Top of page


Communication Tips

Top of page


For Primacy Agencies

  • 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.

  • Primacy Revision Crosswalk

Top of page


Training Materials

  • Training Materials
    This Powerpoint presentation provides guidance to state and EPA staff on how to implement the revised rule.

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April 15, 2008
Latest AWWA Memo on Pharmaceuticals
Click here for more information
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March 26, 2008

Article from: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Editorial: Drug Disposal

A prescription for cleaner water

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.

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March 10, 2008
AWWA News Release regarding Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water
Click here for more information
Public Affairs Advisory

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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

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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
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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

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