Volume 17 Issue 4
Winter 2009
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Volume 17 Issue 4
Winter 2009
Inside this
Issue:
Director’s Corner
page 2
New DWP Staff
page 3
Rulemaking Update
page 4
Subsurface Wastewater Unit
page 4
Subsurface Wastewater Merger with Water Resources Team
page 5
Dates to Remember
page 5
DEP Program Installs New Type of Home Heating Oil Tank
page 6
Operator Licensing News and Updates
page 7
Caring.. Responsive.. Well-Managed.. We are DHHS.
The Ground Water Rule is Here!
Lindy Moceus, Compliance Officer
WHEN did The Ground Water Rule go into effect? This new Federal Regulation became effective on December 1, 2009.
WHO does The Ground Water Rule apply to? All public water systems that have ground water sources (drilled and dug wells, springs, driven points).
WHY was a new Rule needed? This new rule protects public health by requiring public water systems to test their ground water sources and to take corrective actions when fecal contamination or a situation that could lead to fecal contamination is found.
WHAT does The Ground Water Rule require? The basic requirements of the Ground Water Rule are the following:
1. Triggered Monitoring to determine if fecal contamination is present in the ground water source.
Whenever a routine compliance sample is reported positive for total coliform bacteria, the public water system must test each well for E. coli bacteria. This means that, in addition to the usual number of total coliform rechecks collected in the distribution system, a raw water sample must also be collected from each well and analyzed for E. coli.
• Immediately put a Boil Water Order in
place and conduct public notification
for acute contamination (even if you
presently have a disinfection treatment
system, unless it meets the new
disinfection requirement for viruses).
• Correct the fecal contamination
problem, which might be fixed by
making structural repairs to the
problem well, abandoning the problem well and getting a new water source, or installing disinfection treatment that meets the new requirements for removal of viruses.
2. Sanitary Survey inspections will be conducted by DWP staff and will consist of eight areas that must be reviewed. Deficiencies will be noted and corrective actions with deadlines will be required. Inspections will be conducted:
Are you READY for the Ground Water Rule?
This article summarizes the general requirements of the Ground Water Rule. There are more specific details that could affect you. For more information, contact the Maine Drinking Water Program at 287-2070 or go to our website at www.medwp.com.
Service
Connection
The Drinking Water Program Newsletter
“Working Together for Safe Drinking Water”
Service Connection
The Drinking Water Program Newsletter
Service Connection
Director’s Corner
Recently, the State of Colorado published a report about the Salmonella outbreak that occurred in Alamosa, Colorado in March and April 2008. The public water system in Alamosa was contaminated with Salmonella bacteria and resulted in an estimated 1,300 illnesses and one death. For approximately four weeks, the lives and businesses in this community of 8,700 people were disrupted because of this waterborne disease outbreak.
A complete copy of the report can be found at: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/drinkingwater/AlamosaOutbreak.html or at our website at www.medwp.com.
The need to assess vulnerabilities, minimize these vulnerabilities and plan for emergencies are some of the many lessons that can be learned from Alamosa.
One of the keys to the successful response to the crisis was the Colorado Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (CoWARN), which exists to facilitate mutual aid between utilities. The report states:
Because Colorado has established CoWARN, a mutual aid network for water and wastewater utilities statewide, Alamosa had nearly immediate access to supplies and human resources to assist with the response. With CoWARN, experienced crews from across the state were working with the city within 24 hours. Within 48 hours, equipment, crews, and supplies began arriving onsite to start work.
If you operate a water or wastewater utility, please consider joining the Maine Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network.
This event is also a powerful reminder of the importance of our work. Safe and reliable drinking water protects public health. We must never lose sight of this mission. There are so many “important” responsibilities we face in our day-to-day business, and it is easy to forget the impact we have on public health.
The Drinking Water Program is grateful for all the men and woman who are committed to and work toward the mission of increased public health protection. We are here to serve and support your efforts.
Yours for safe drinking water,
Roger
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The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Maine Human Rights Act. Questions, concerns, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to DHHS’s ADA compliance/EEO Coordinator, State House Station #11, Augusta, Maine 04333, (207) 287-4289 (V), (207) 287-2000 (TTY). Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in program and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA compliance/EEO Coordinator. This notice is available in alternate formats.
Published by the Drinking Water Program to provide technical and regulatory information on drinking water issues. Articles may be reprinted without restriction if credit is given to their source. To be added to the mailing or email list, contact:
Erika Bonenfant, Editor
Drinking Water Program
Division of Environmental Health
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services
11 State House Station, 286 Water Street, 3rd Floor
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
TEL: (207) 287-5681 TTY: (800) 606-0215
FAX: (207) 287-4172
E-mail: erika.bonenfant@maine.gov
Web Address: http://www.medwp.com
Jessica Bishop
Jessica Bishop is the new Board Clerk for the Maine Well Drilling Commission and Licensure of Water Treatment Plant Operators. Jessica previously worked for DHHS Regional Operations stationed with Developmental Services. You can contact Jessica at 287-5699 or jessica.bishop@maine.gov.
Erika Bonenfant
Erika Bonenfant joins the Drinking Water Program as the new Education and Outreach Coordinator. Previously, Erika worked as an environmental database manager at the Department of Environmental Protection. Prior to her work at DEP, Erika worked as a Field Inspector at the Drinking Water Program. You can contact Erika at 287-5681 or erika.bonenfant@maine.gov.
Jennifer Donnell
Jennifer Donnell joins the Drinking Water Program in a new position of Fluoridation and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. As Fluoridation and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Jennifer works with the Drinking Water Program staff and water operators of Community Water Systems that fluoridate to enhance current fluoridation and increase quality control and sustainability. Jennifer also works with Drinking Water Emergency Preparedness to enable all water operators to be confident and efficient in their capabilities in the event of an emergency or event that impacts business continuity. You can contact Jennifer at 287-5295 or jennifer.donnell@maine.gov.
Carla McPherson
Carla McPherson joins the Information Management Team. Some of Carla’s duties include monitoring and entering water sample data, alerting Field Inspectors of positive total coliform results, and providing quality control oversight for Points of Contact in the Drinking Water Program’s SDWIS database. You can contact Carla at 287-8412 or carla.mcpherson@maine.gov.
Martha Nadeau
Martha Nadeau joins the DWP Information Management Team as an Administrative Support Assistant, hired through NEIWPCC. She has been with the DWP since July, to help cover the openings left by retired staff. Martha’s duties have included processing and billing AFM payments, sample data entry, legal entity updates, and general clerical support. Her future projects include: converting PWS paper files to electronic files and SDWIS database cleanup. Martha can be reached at 287-5683 or martha.nadeau@maine.gov.
Danielle Obery
Danielle Obery joins the Drinking Water Program as the new Compliance Officer for transient, non-community water supplies. Danielle comes to the Drinking Water Program from the Department of Environmental Protection where she was a project manager in the Division of Land Resource Regulation. You can contact Danielle at 287-5545 or danielle.obery@maine.gov.
Jim Willis
Jim Willis joins the Information Management Team where he assists the Program with various support duties, including processing the AFM (Annual Drinking Water) Fees. Jim has worked within the Department of Health and Human Services for 2 years. You can contact Jim at 287-5694 or james.willis@maine.gov.
New Staff at the Drinking Water Program
The Drinking Water Program Newsletter
3
This past summer and fall proved a busy time for rulemaking. Both the Cross Connection Rules (Chapter 226) and the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Chapter 241) were adopted and effective August 1, 2009, after public hearing and subsequent comment periods. The Drinking Water Program and Subsurface Wastewater Program are planning to revisit formal rulemaking in early 2010, to propose additional changes to Chapter 241. These additional changes will provide better organization of the Rules, and will address a number of questions that have emerged since the last revision.
Changes to the Rules Relating to Drinking Water (Chapter 231) were adopted in December. A public hearing was advertised on October 14, 2009, and occurred at the Key Bank Plaza in Augusta on November 4, 2009, with the comment period ending November 16, 2009.
In addition, significant substantive changes resulted in an entire repeal and replace to the Comprehensive and Limited Environmental Laboratory Certification Rules (Chapter 263). The rulemaking effort was a collaborative process with Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), due to Maine statute (22 M.R.S.A. § 567 (2)), which required that both the Department of Health and Human Services Drinking Water Program and DEP jointly adopt rules governing the certification of environmental testing laboratories. A public hearing, conducted by the Board of Environmental Protection, took place in October 2009. As a result of comments that led to additional rule changes, both departments reopened the comment period to allow for further input on those changes. Adoption is expected in early 2010.
For a copy of any of the adopted rules, the Secretary of State’s website should have them available at www.maine.gov/sos (click on “State Agency Rules”). To review proposed rule changes not yet adopted or to request a hard copy, contact Tera Pare at 287-5680.
Rulemaking Update
Tera Pare, Enforcement & Rulemaking Coordinator
Service Connection
4
Division of Environmental Health: Who We Are
Part 3 of a 4-Part Series
Subsurface
Wastewater Unit
Because Maine is a predominantly rural state, we rely heavily on decentralized sewage disposal facilities for disposal of human waste, e.g., septic systems. The Subsurface Wastewater Unit (formerly, the Subsurface Wastewater Program) and its predecessors have regulated on-site sewage disposal to varying degrees since 1926.
The Subsurface Wastewater Unit is responsible for promulgating the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, among others; licensing Site Evaluators to insure proper design of sewage systems; processing and maintaining copies of approximately 40,000 plumbing permits annually; reviewing administration of the Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules by municipalities and Local Plumbing Inspectors (LPIs); providing technical assistance to system designers, installers, and LPIs; and most recently, licensing crematoria for the disposal of human remains.
The Subsurface Wastewater Unit consists of Wendy Austin, Office Associate II; Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator; Brent Lawson, State Plumbing Inspector; and James Jacobsen, Environmental Specialist IV.
Subsurface Wastewater Oversight Strengthened by
Merger with Water Resources Group at Maine CDC
Andy Tolman, Drinking Water Program Assistant Director
Nancy Beardsley, Director, Maine CDC Division of Environmental Health
The State’s Subsurface Wastewater Program has merged with the Drinking Water Program’s Water Resources group. This alliance makes sense for several reasons, primarily because both groups have been working side by side for decades to protect our ground and surface water resources and prevent contamination from occurring in the first place. Each group will benefit from the technical strengths and experience of the other: the Subsurface Wastewater group will learn from the Drinking Water Program’s strong hydrogeologic and water resource experience; and the Drinking Water team will better understand the practical application of the Subsurface Wastewater Rules in the field. Together, staff will use their combined experience to help solve difficult subsurface waste disposal issues often faced by subsurface wastewater staff, Local Plumbing Inspectors and Licensed Site Evaluators. Our initial focus will be to listen and learn from one another and figure out how we can best accomplish the many tasks before us.
Further integrating the Division of Environmental Health’s five Programs has been a long-term goal and one which we are steadily achieving. Russ Martin’s retirement this summer from state service as the Director of the Subsurface Wastewater Program presented the opportunity to make this long anticipated piece of the integration happen. Necessity also played a role. Revenues from subsurface wastewater and internal plumbing permits have decreased significantly over the past few years. Revenues have not come close to meeting expenses for several years now. The sole source of funding for the Program is 25% of all permit revenues received by municipalities. It is more critical than ever to work smarter and reduce redundancies and inefficiencies wherever possible.
The Subsurface Wastewater Program’s technical staff, Douglas Coombs LSE, PLS, CPE, James Jacobsen, and Brent Lawson LPI, LSE, will function as a technical unit of the Water Resources Team led by Andy Tolman C.G., and supported by David Braley C.G., Terry Trott, Sara Lippert, Erika Bonenfant, Jessica Bishop and Jennifer Donnell. Wendy Austin and Lorraine Martin will continue to provide administrative support to the Subsurface Wastewater Unit. Over the next months we will be working closely with towns and other state agencies whose responsibilities include waste water and the environment, including the State Planning Office, Department of Marine Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources.
There is a new revision of the Subsurface Rules that recently went into effect, and some of the changes appear to result in some confusion. We are working on identifying these areas and will be providing guidance on interpretation and application of the new provisions very soon. David Braley will be providing coordination and leadership to the Subsurface Wastewater Unit.
Dates to Remember
*Proposed--dates not finalized
2010 Government Closure Dates
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
June X, 2010*
The Drinking Water Program Newsletter
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
November X, 2010*
Thursday, December 23, 2010
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Service Connection
The DEP Home Heating Oil Tank Replacement Program installed its first required double wall tank on October 8th in a mobile home park in Fairfield to comply with a new law that became effective in July of 2009.
This program has installed many double wall home heating oil tanks in the wellhead protection zones of water districts to safeguard community water system wells. But, this is the first time that the DEP installed a double wall tank to meet the requirements of the new law, An Act to Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water Supplies (see 38 MRSA § 1391). The law requires that new and replacement heating oil tanks in the wellhead protection zone of community drinking water wells be double-walled or have secondary containment.
The mobile home park in Fairfield, with its own well and 37 houses, meets the definition of a community public water system and is regulated by the Maine Drinking Water Program. The double wall tank installed is made of fiberglass, and is the first known tank of its type to be installed in Maine. The community water system was most fortunate that the contents of the previous tank were not discharged when a leg broke and the tank fell on the ground. When the tank fell, the oil filter on this outside tank missed a concrete block by only a few inches. For more information, contact Peter Moulton at Maine DEP at 287-3901.
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Newly installed double wall home heating oil tank
DEP Program Installs New Type of Home Heating Oil Tank
Peter Moulton, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
2010 Board of Licensure Dates to Remember:
Board meetings: Exam Application Postmarked Dates: Exam Dates:
January 21st- Topsham February 6th March 23rd- Augusta
May 20th- Augusta May 1st March 25th- Bangor
September 16th- Topsham September 4th June 22nd- Augusta
or June 24th- Bangor
First Saturday of the month before exams October 26th- Augusta
October 28th- Presque Isle
Renewal time for those licenses with expiration dates of 12/31/2009. For individuals holding licenses in both treatment and distribution disciplines, there is only one $60 fee per person. Training Contact Hours ("TCH's") are required for the highest license held. There is a grace period until March 2, 2010, after which the license will be inactivated, the system may be out of compliance, and a $50 late fee is applied.
How operator compliance helps Maine receive federal funding. The Drinking Water Program receives federal funding to assist systems with delivering safe drinking water. Much of this funding for training, grants and loans stems from the State Revolving Fund (SRF). Maine DWP must meet certain requirements to maintain eligibility for these funds. Meeting operator licensing and system staffing requirements assures that 20% of the funding is available.
Ninety seven percent of the 760 public water systems that must have licensed operators in responsible charge are in compliance, which is a great achievement. Licensed operators serve to protect public health by assuring that a water system’s protective barriers are maintained. Operators keep watchful eyes out for contamination threats, maintain sanitary practices at their systems, and monitor drinking water to maintain quality.
Winter months are a great time to work on some needed projects. Updates to Standard Operating Procedures, Emergency Response Plans, Safety Programs, Asset Management, Preventive Maintenance Programs and other living documents, will not only help spring tasks go more smoothly but will keep you up to date on any changes in rules, contact information, etc. Watch for training programs on many of these topics and bank your TCH's for renewal time.
Contract Operations. Owners of small water systems and operators of small utility systems often find that assistance from a contract operator is needed. The agreement between owner and operator can, and should be, specialized to the needs of the system’s circumstances. There are many itemized lists of the various responsibilities of both parties (see DWP's website). An operator is licensed, and therefore expected, to perform tasks to maintain public health and safety. All quality and quantity decisions are the responsibility of the licensed operator. The operator cannot be expected to perform the tasks necessary to maintain good water quality without proper support from the owner. The owner is expected to provide a safe working environment, budget to maintain the equipment and services, and communicate needs of activities pertinent to the quality and quantity of providing water. Water system owners and decision makers are urged to learn more about the water profession. Contact DWP at 287-2070 for more information and tools to help your system succeed.
Operator Licensing News and Updates
Teresa Trott, Licensing Officer
The Drinking Water Program Newsletter
7
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO..8..
AUGUSTA, MAINE
Dawn Abbott 287-6471 Enforcement Specialist dawn.abbott@maine.gov
vacant 287-2647 Chief Engineer
Jessica Bishop 287-5699 Operator Certification/ Well Drillers Board Clerk jessica.bishop@maine.gov
Erika Bonenfant 287-5681 Education & Outreach Coordinator erika.bonenfant@maine.gov
David Braley 287-3194 Wellhead Protection Coordinator, SWP david.braley@maine.gov
Haig Brochu 592-0954 Field Inspector haig.brochu@maine.gov
Roger Crouse 287-5684 Drinking Water Program Director roger.crouse@maine.gov
Jennifer Donnell 287-5295 Security and Fluoridation Specialist jennifer.donnell@maine.gov
Denise Douin 592-2165 Field Inspector & SRF Project Manager denise.douin@maine.gov
Greg DuMonthier 592-1674 Field Inspector greg.dumonthier@maine.gov
Jeff Folger 592-0578 Field Inspector jeff.folger@maine.gov
Robin Frost 287-8411 SDWIS Administrator robin.frost@maine.gov
Carlton Gardner 287-8403 Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader carlton.gardner@maine.gov
Larry Girvan 592-7386 Field Inspector & SRF Project Manager larry.girvan@maine.gov
Jennifer Grant 287-3962 Compliance Officer jennifer.grant@maine.gov
vacant 561-4363 Field Inspector & SRF Project Manager
Eben Joslyn 557-2255 Field Inspector & SRF Project Manager eben.joslyn@maine.gov
Sara Lippert 287-5678 Capacity Development & Security Coordinator sara.m.lippert@maine.gov
Carla McPherson 287-8412 Data Management carla.mcpherson@maine.gov
Lindy Moceus 287-8402 Compliance Officer lindy.moceus@maine.gov
Martha Nadeau 287-5694 Administrative Support Assistant martha.nadeau@maine.gov
Danielle Obery 287-5545 Compliance Officer danielle.obery@maine.gov
Tera Pare 287-5680 Enforcement & Rulemaking Coordinator tera.pare@maine.gov
Dan Piasecki 287-1979 Compliance Officer daniel.piasecki@maine.gov Nathan Saunders 287-5685 Field Inspection Team Manager nathan.saunders@maine.gov
Matthew Sica 287-1929 Laboratory Certification Officer matthew.sica@maine.gov
Fran Simard 287-8074 Secretary fran.simard@maine.gov
Amilyn Stillings 287-6472 Information Coordinator amilyn.stillings@maine.gov
Daniel Thompson 287-2070 Receptionist daniel.thompson@maine.gov
Andrews Tolman 287-6196 Assistant Director andrews.l.tolman@maine.gov
Teresa Trott 287-7485 Operator Licensing/Environmental Review Coord teresa.trott@maine.gov
Kate Tufts 215-0624 Field Inspector kate.tufts@maine.gov
David Welch 287-3056 Data Management Specialist david.welch@maine.gov
Scott Whitney 287-8487 Compliance Officer scott.whitney@maine.gov
Jim Willis 287-5694 Office Clerk james.willis@maine.gov
(207) 287-2070 • TTY: (800) 606-0215 • Fax: (207) 287-4172
after hours emergency: (207) 557-4214 • visit us on the web: www.medwp.com
Service Connection
Newsletter of the Drinking Water Program
Maine CDC
286 Water Street, 3rd Floor
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
