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Andy Tolman, Assistant Director
Our primary goal is to help public water systems provide safe drinking water. To achieve this goal, we have developed a core educational message based upon the following four principals:
Protect Your Source
Whether it’s a six inch drilled well or Sebago Lake, a public water system is dependent on a source of water to provide its customers with safe drinking water. High quality, well protected sources provide cost-effective and safe drinking water. A secure well cap, maintaining setbacks to potential contamination sources, and having neighbors who understand the value of clean water are all key elements in protecting your source.
Take Your Samples
Drinking water sampling is not only a requirement of all public water systems, it also provides assurance that your water is safe to drink. Bacteria and viruses can make people sick. Sampling on a regular schedule provides you and your customers with an assurance that your water system is performing the way it’s designed. Failures to collect samples and sampling errors cost public water systems lots of time and money. Taking your samples properly and on time will help to make sure your water meets the appropriate quality standards.
Maintain Your Treatment
Chlorinators, softeners, filters and other treatment devices are only effective if they’re kept in good shape and fed the right chemicals. Approved chemicals, the correct dose, and regular maintenance are key parts of your operation. Failure to regularly and effectively maintain and monitor your treatment system puts the health of your customers at risk.
Inspect Your Pipes and Tanks
Leaks not only can lose water you’ve invested in pumping and treating, they are also a path for contaminants to enter your system. Keeping your system tight and tidy makes it easier to manage and reduces the risk of contamination of your water system. Regularly checking for cross connections and leaks, properly disinfecting your water system after any repairs, and making sure your storage tanks are secure can help you continue to provide safe drinking water to your customers.
The Drinking Water Program staff is here to help you follow these four basic principals. Contact us and we can answer your questions or put you in touch with the right resources.
We have come a long way since 1854
In the mid 1800s, London, England had no sanitary sewer system. Cesspools located in basements and many other locations throughout the city were the common location for the disposal of human waste. During this time, London suffered many cholera epidemics. The common wisdom of the day was that cholera was caused by bad air. In 1849, Dr. John Snow suggested cholera was spread by contaminated drinking water.
In 1854, cholera struck the Soho area of southern London. Snow lived in the area and after interviewing families of victims, he concluded that the source of the cholera outbreak was a hand operated water pump on Broad Street. He examined a sample of the water under a microscope and found “white, flocculent particles.” He convinced the overseers of the pump to remove the handle. Cases of cholera dropped almost immediately. Further investigation revealed the probable cause of the original infection: Just before the start of the epidemic, a child living on Broad Street developed cholera symptoms. The child’s soiled clothing was cleaned in water that was subsequently disposed into a leaking cesspool located only three feet from the Broad Street well.1
Our knowledge of diseases has progressed significantly since the time of Dr. Snow. However, there are at least two fundamental principles that he discovered that are critical to all suppliers of water 1) protect your source and 2) sample your water.
Protect Your Source
It is unlikely today that anyone would find it acceptable to have a cesspool, septic system or any disposal of human waste within three feet of a water supply. There are many variables that will influence whether a contaminant will affect your water quality. However, the most effective way to reduce the chance of contamination entering your source of water is to increase the distance between your well or (surface water intake) from all sources of contamination.
Sample Your Water
Waiting until your customers or employees are sick before you start testing your water is not only contrary to state and federal regulations, it is also a poor way to protect public health. Water systems must regularly test their water to determine if contamination reached the water source. Regular testing is not only a public health protection, it is also a liability protection for you and your business. If you are unsure about your water testing requirements, please call us as soon as possible.
As a supplier of water, you are part of a multifaceted public health protection system. Thank you for doing your part to continue the public health efforts started by Dr. Snow more than 150 years ago.
Yours for safe drinking water,
Updated list of Certified Laboratories
Please check our website www.medwp.com for the latest lists of certified laboratories. The lists can be found by clicking on the "Laboratory Certification" link in the right hand column. We have a separate list of in-state certified labs and we also have a comprehensive list of all the labs that are part of the Maine Certification Program. Laboratories are certified by test, so it is necessary to check with a laboratory to find out exactly which parameters they test for. The tests which laboratories can perform can change regularly. You may confirm which tests and parameters are done by calling the laboratory or by calling Kelly Perkins, Laboratory Certification Officer, at 207-287-1929.
You May Have a New Compliance Officer
Carlton Gardner, Compliance & Enforcement Team Leader
In September, we were fortunate to hire Jason Pushard as a new Compliance Officer. Jason is replacing Scott Whitney who is now part of the Field Inspection Team. Our Compliance section has regionalized all public water systems in a geographical area. In the past, one person handled all 1,200 transient water systems. Under the new approach, each Compliance Officer will handle all 3 types of PWSs (community, non-transient non-community, and transient water systems) within an area. Now, each of the 5 compliance officers will work with approximately 380 PWSs to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water regulations.
Danielle Obery has retained York and Cumberland Counties, as well as part of Sagadahoc. Yvette Meunier has Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, and part of Sagadahoc. Jason Pushard has Kennebec, Waldo, Lincoln and part of Hancock. Jennifer Grant has retained Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Knox, while Lindy Moceus has retained Aroostook, Washington, and part of Hancock. If you have questions about who your Compliance Officer is, please call 287-2070.
Roger Crouse, Director
On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed into law an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act which changes the definition of “lead free” to no more than 0.20 percent lead in solder and flux and no more than 0.25 percent lead in pipes, pipe fittings and plumbing fittings. This amendment will be effective on January 4, 2014.
What does this mean to you, as a public water system?
The Drinking Water Program encourages all public water systems to start purchasing and using products which meet the new “lead free” standard as soon as practical. Water systems will be able to use up existing stocks of materials and over the next two years more and more manufactures will modify their products to meet the new “lead free” standard.
Our Drinking Water regulations already require all public water systems to use products that are certified to meet NSF/ANSI Standard 61-2007 (Standard 61). The 2007a version of Standard 61 will be published in July 2012 and will include the new lower lead standard. However, Maine’s Drinking Water regulations will not be modified to include the 2007a (or later version) of Standard 61 until sometime in 2013.
Tera Pare, Enforcement & Rulemaking Coordinator
Many reasons may account for why a public water system incurs drinking water violations that are either so serious or so numerous or so lingering, that they are referred to the Enforcement Section. One particular reason that many public water systems find themselves in formal enforcement is financial constraints that inhibit them from properly maintaining the quality of water served to its customers.
Howards Trailer Park was referred to Enforcement on October 16, 2008, as a result of outstanding violations for high uranium and gross alpha levels which exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allowed by state and federal regulations. The park also failed to fully comply with the Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Howard’s Trailer Park continued to miss deadlines to install an approved radionuclides treatment throughout the administrative enforcement process. When the Drinking Water Program met with Howards Trailer Park owners Leon and Laurie Howard on March 19, 2009, the main reason cited for continuing to miss deadlines was lack of funds. The cost for adequate uranium and gross alpha removal treatment systems (both ion and cation exchange), an aeration system to remove radon, and associated improvements would exceed $20,000, an amount the park did not have available.
The public water system also incurred multiple MCL violations of the Total Coliform Rule, four of which happened within a year’s time. In late 2009, a continuous chlorination system was approved and installed; yet, the requirement for installing uranium and gross alpha treatment remained, due to lack of funds. Along with Maine Rural Water Association’s assistance in researching and securing possible funding sources, the professional engineer for the project provided a Treatment System Study Report, to help the Park secure funds.
Despite efforts to comply, Howards Trailer Park missed almost every deadline within their administrative orders, including their requirement to pay a $2,500 administrative penalty assessment, which was issued on June 15, 2009. When all administrative enforcement efforts fail to address the violations, the next step becomes the Attorneys General’s Office. The Drinking Water Program referred Howard’s Trailer Park to its Assistant Attorney General on May 11, 2011. Fortunately, the A.G’s Office negotiated a settlement with Howard’s Trailer Park, which includes a payment schedule of $200 per month, starting on November 15, 2011. If, for any reason, a payment is missed, then the Park may face civil action and further fines through the Maine District Court process.
As negotiations for enforcement progressed, owners Leon and Laurie Howard solicited quotes for both building expansion and necessary treatment equipment, with funding from the DWSRF Very Small System Compliance Loan Fund. After an evaluation, a builder and treatment equipment company were selected, and building improvements are completed at this time. The Drinking Water Program was able to approve aeration, anion exchange, cation exchange, and corrosion control treatment on October 27, 2011.
By the time this article is printed, Howard’s Trailer Park is expected to have installed radionuclides and corrosion control treatment. Returning to compliance was a long and winding road, which required a great deal of assistance and guidance from several entities. Howards Trailer Park is now able to move forward in compliance with safe drinking water regulations and serve its residents much safer drinking water.
Tera Pare, Enforcement & Rulemaking Coordinator
The Drinking Water Program (DWP) is currently planning to engage in formal rulemaking for the Rules Relating to Drinking Water (Chapter 231) and the Rules Relating to Fluoridation of Public Water Systems (Chapter 228). One of the major changes is a repeal of the Fluoridation Rules, with some language incorporated into the Rules Relating to Drinking Water. The public hearing will occur on January 5, 2012 and the public comment period will end on January 16, 2012. Please contact Tera Pare or check the DWP website for the most recent announcements.
Is Your Emergency Response Plan Up To Date?
Sara Flanagan, Capacity Development & Security Coordinator
Recently, the Greater Augusta Utilities District and Auburn Water District had to quickly respond to unintentional chemical spills very close to their water sources. Fortunately, none of the water sources were contaminated, but they could have been. Fast action by emergency responders prevented the chemicals from reaching the water sources. These spills are a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for any emergency incident that could happen to your water system. Take the time to review and update your Emergency Response Plan at least annually. Make sure the Plan covers emergency response procedures for small water main breaks all the way up to unlikely events such as a contamination or loss of a water source. Work with your local emergency response agencies so they know where your water source is located and who to contact if an incident occurs nearby. Planning ahead makes for a quicker and more effective response in the time of crisis. If you have questions about updating your emergency response plan, please contact Sara Flanagan at 287-5678 or sara.m.flanagan@maine.gov.
Annual sampling schedules will be mailed out in early 2012. These sampling schedules outline the required water testing for your water system in 2012.
Please remember to:
If you have any questions, contact your Compliance Officer at 287-2070.
Jason Pushard
Jason Pushard joins the Drinking Water Program as the new Compliance Officer, filling Scott Whitney's former position. Prior to joining the Drinking Water program, Jason worked for 10 years at the Health & Environmental Testing Laboratory as the shipping & receiving section manager. While at the lab, Jason worked daily with compliance section staff at the DWP and was involved with sample tracking and receipt. Jason can be reached at 287-8487 or jason.pushard@maine.gov.
Kelly Perkins
Kelly Perkins joins the Drinking Water Program as the new Laboratory Certification Officer. Prior to joining the DWP, Kelly worked for 25 years as a Chemist, Project Manager and Laboratory Manager for a variety of public and private commercial laboratories throughout the State of Maine. Kelly holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Muhlenberg College and is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Maine. You can contact Kelly at 287-1929 or kelly.perkins@maine.gov.
Teresa Trott, Licensing Officer
RENEWAL
Renewal forms were sent to operators with 12/31/2011 renewal dates. If you miss the December 31st deadline, there is a 60-day grace period. Renewing early starts the TCH clock earlier and vice versa! You may review the number of TCH on record with the Board on the DWP website, www.medwp.com and clicking on “Licensing,” “Board of Water System Operators,” and then “Maintaining Your License.” Please call Jessica at 287-5699 for assistance in finding TCHs.
Licenses that were not renewed in 2009 and 2010 are presently inactive. Persons with inactive licenses may not be in responsible charge. TCHs and renewal and reinstatement fees must be submitted to reactivate a license. Licenses with 2009 renewal dates will expire if not renewed this year. These persons must re-take an exam to become licensed in 2012 or later.
NEW RULES
Please review the recently amended water operator rules, adopted in January 2012. The revisions clarify many frequently asked questions and improve the examination and licensing process. The sequential requirement has been removed, allowing a potential operator to test at whichever level he or she feels is best suited for them. Experience will be reviewed during the licensing process to determine full or operator in training (OIT) status.
The application process now has two paths. Traditional paper exams will be administered by the Board twice in 2012, in March and October (locations yet to be determined). Computer based exams will be given throughout the year by Applied Measurement Professionals at an examinee’s convenience. Presently, there is a site in So. Portland. Information for northern sites will be posted on the website, as details become available. Board proctored exams will be $95 and computer based exams will be between $73 and $90, depending on the exam. Upon successful completion of an exam, a person can apply for licensure. An initial license will be $75. The cost to upgrade a license, either from OIT to full, or to add a discipline or upgrade to a higher class, will be $20.
PLEASE purge old applications from your files and download the new ones from the DWP website, at www.medwp.com and clicking on “Licensing” and then on “Board of Water System Operators.” Old forms will not be accepted for either process.
Jennifer Grant, Compliance Officer
We often get questions from public water systems regarding how long records (water test results, correspondence from the Drinking Water Program, etc.) should be kept. Below is a summary of the most common public water system records and how long the public water system is required by law to keep them. According to the Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water at 10-144 CMR, Chapter 231 Section 5: Any owner or operator of a system shall retain on his premises, or at a convenient location near his premises, the records as indicated below. Such records must be made available to the public upon request.
|
Record |
Retention Time |
|
Bacteria Test Results |
5 years |
|
Sanitary Survey |
10 years |
|
Variances and Exceptions |
5 years |
|
Daily Operational Records |
7 years |
|
Disinfectant Residual Records |
10 years |
|
Chemical Test Results |
10 years |
|
Lead/Copper Test Results |
12 years |
|
Violations |
3 years |
While conducting a sanitary survey, the Field Inspector may ask to see any or all of these records, so please be aware that these records need to be made available to our staff as well as the general public within a reasonable timeframe. Please contact the Drinking Water Program at (207) 287-2070 if you are unsure if this retention schedule applies to a specific record. When in doubt, retain it!
Subsurface Wastewater Training 2012
The Joint Environmental Training and Coordinating Committee (JETCC) hosts a series of onsite sewage disposal system training sessions each February and March. Subsurface Wastewater Unit staff met on 10/28/11 with staff from the JETCC, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation Commission, State Planning Office, and Department of Environmental Protection to establish next winter’s training schedule. Among these training sessions are New Local Plumbing Inspector training, Voluntary Septic System Installer training, and Voluntary Septic System Inspector training. Watch the Subsurface Wastewater Unit’s web site for announcements, at www.mainepublichealth.gov/septic-systems.
New Streamlined Application for Division
Andy Tolman, Assistant Director & James Jacobsen, Project Manager, Subsurface Wastewater Unit
The Division of Environmental Health works with thousands of small businesses so they can provide safe food, water, and waste disposal for their customers. The programs in the Division of Environmental Health involved in this public health work are the Health Inspection Program (HIP), Drinking Water Program (DWP), and the Subsurface Wastewater Unit (SWU). The HIP licenses and inspects campgrounds, youth camps, eating and lodging establishments and provides leadership in our interaction with these businesses.
The DWP provides expertise in safe drinking water. About 800 of HIP licensed establishments serve a large enough public so that they are considered public water systems. The SWU provides expertise on subsurface waste water rules and reviews plans for new and expanded wastewater systems More than 300 HIP licensed businesses are served by on-lot subsurface waste disposal.
Each program had their own procedures for review of business applications. We had separate applications and review processes for each activity, and our work was not always well-coordinated. This project has developed and piloted a unified application to reduce the cost and complication associated with starting a food-service, lodging establishment, youth camp, or campground in Maine.
The Application Review Team found ways to reduce the paperwork and cost associated with opening HIP licensed businesses. The Team developed a set of procedures and a flow chart to assure that completed applications are reviewed effectively and efficiently so that delays are minimized.
The new application was also piloted by staff in the DWP and HIP that hadn’t been involved in the initial process to provide a clean and effective process to the public on roll-out. The new process goes into effect December 1, and we will be monitoring its effectiveness and looking for further improvements as we proceed forward.
