Public Works.com's EPA Update: September 16, 2009
Welcome to Public Works.com's review of the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, resources, and activities related to the water, wastewater, and stormwater industries. EPA offices and programs covered in this installment are listed below. Click on an office or program name to go directly to that section of the article.
- Office of Water (OW)
- EPA's Water Laboratory Alliance Plans Full Scale Exercise
- WaterSense For The Commercial And Institutional Sector
- WaterSense Annual Partner Of The Year Awards To Be Presented At WaterSmart Innovations Conference
- New Water Quality Standards Academy "Monitoring and Assessment" Module Online
- EPA Seeks Comments On New Information About Geologic Sequestration Of Carbon Dioxide
- Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet For The Water Sector
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)
- Upcoming Seminar On Nutrient Control At Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
- Watershed Central: A New Interactive Management Tool
- Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program
- ETV Verified Technologies
- Vendor Solicitations
- Upcoming Conferences and Meetings
- Other EPA News
- Smart Growth Solutions Can Help Coastal, Waterfront Communities Address Climate Change, Other Challenges
- Federal Agencies Release Draft Reports Required By Chesapeake Bay Executive Order
- U.S. EPA Reaches Major Settlement For Cleanup Of San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site
- Economic Recovery Funds to Improve Water Quality, Create Jobs
- EPA Announces Recovery Act Funds For Water Infrastructure Projects
- EPA Announces Recovery Act Funds For Wastewater Infrastructure Projects
Office of Water (OW)
EPA's Water Laboratory Alliance Plans Full Scale Exercise
EPA is conducting a full scale laboratory exercise in the north-eastern US. This exercise, which
was scheduled to take place beginning September 14, 2009, will test EPA's Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA)/Environmental Response
Laboratory Network (ERLN), and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Laboratory Response Network
(LRN) emergency response procedures. It will be used to assess the effectiveness of coordinated laboratory
activities across multiple laboratory networks in response to combined chemical and biological warfare agent
attacks. This coordination of laboratory response activities across multiple states will provide an initial test of
the new Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan and other laboratory response protocols. This full scale exercise
will also test inter-agency coordination between EPA, CDC, Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI). For more information regarding the WLA please visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/wla.cfm
WaterSense For The Commercial And Institutional Sector
The WaterSense program is looking for input on a potential WaterSense commercial and institutional program. What should a WaterSense program for commercial buildings look like? WaterSense wants your feedback.
As a first step, the program has released a white paper, Water Efficiency in the Commercial and Institutional Sector: Considerations for a WaterSense Program. The paper attempts to summarize the best available
resources that EPA can use for planning a national commercial and institutional program and discusses various directions such a program could take. EPA is seeking broad input to guide our decision-making and is interested
in hearing stakeholders' responses to our current research needs and program design options. The paper is available at
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/cipaper.htm. Comments may be submitted to watersense@epa.gov through
September 20, 2009.
WaterSense Annual Partner Of The Year Awards To Be Presented At WaterSmart Innovations Conference
EPA's WaterSense program is once again proud to cosponsor of the second annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition (WSI) with the Southern Nevada Water Authority. The conference will be held at the South Point Hotel and
Conference Center in Las Vegas, NV from October 7-9, 2009. Last year roughly 1,200 participants from 42 states and the District of
Columbia — as well as 17 foreign nations — came together to help make WSI the excellent opportunity to network and
learn more about the latest advances in water efficiency.
In addition to the conference the 2009 WaterSense Partners of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, October 7 at the inaugural WaterSense Awards Banquet cosponsored by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). These partners have distinguished
themselves through their efforts to advance the WaterSense program and EPA looks forward to a special evening of honoring their extraordinary achievements as well as those of its many exemplary partners.
Registration for both the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and the WaterSense Awards Banquet is still open. For more information and to register for the conference please visit
www.watersmartinnovations.com. For more information
on the WaterSense Awards Program visit www.epa.gov/WaterSense/awards.htm.
New Water Quality Standards Academy "Monitoring and Assessment" Module Online
The Water Quality Standards Academy Online (WQSA Online) has posted its third Basic Course Supplemental Topics Module, Monitoring and Assessment. The new online module covers the role of Monitoring and Assessment in the implementation of clean water programs, including reporting on the condition of the Nation's waters and meeting the fishable/swimmable goals of the Clean Water Act. Similar to the Key Concepts modules, the Supplemental Topics Modules present text-based information across a sequence of pages that include links to further information and resources and then a brief quiz at the end. Because these modules are supplemental, they are not associated with the Certificate of Completion earned by completing the Key Concepts modules. To access the module please go to http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/academy/supp/monitoring/index.htm. For more information on WQSA Online contact Bryan "Ibrahim" Goodwin at goodwin.bryan@epa.gov or 202-566-0762.
EPA Seeks Comments On New Information About Geologic Sequestration Of Carbon Dioxide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it is requesting comments on new information it has received about geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide. During geologic sequestration, carbon dioxide is injected underground for long-term storage. This
technology can be used to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA protects underground
sources of drinking water from threats related to injection activities. The new information supplements
the agency's 2008 proposed rule that, if finalized, would create a new class of injection well and establish
requirements under the authority of the SDWA to ensure that geologic sequestration activities do not endanger drinking water sources. The publication
reviews research and data on geologic sequestration and presents an alternative the agency is considering related to the proposed injection depth requirements for carbon dioxide. In addition, the publication announces that EPA is evaluating the need for a
more comprehensive regulatory framework to manage the geologic sequestration of CO2. The agency is requesting public comments for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. More information on
geologic sequestration and how to submit comments: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_sequestration.html
Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet For The Water Sector
EPA has published a "Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet for the Water Sector." Pandemic flu could affect the capability of water system operators to operate and maintain their systems adequately due to increased absenteeism at their systems and at other
interdependent sectors that provide essential materials and supplies. The flu fact sheet provides information to assist the water sector in
integrating pandemic planning into existing business continuity and emergency response plans and reducing the risk to public
health that would be caused by disruption in operation of water systems. In addition to background information on pandemic flu, its potential impacts, and possible interventions, the fact sheet provides references to tools and guidance materials offered by EPA and
other organizations. The fact sheet is available at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/pandemicflu.cfm
For more information on the EPA Office of Water, visit www.epa.gov/ow.
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)
Upcoming Seminar On Nutrient Control At Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
EPA's Office of Research and Development is conducting Technology Transfer Seminars on Nutrient Control at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants. The first seminar is scheduled for Marlboro, MA on September
22-24, 2009. For additional details and to register for this free seminar go to:
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/events/nutrient_seminars.htm
Watershed Central: A New Interactive Management Tool
EPA recently launched a new web site called "Watershed Central" to help watershed organizations and other stakeholders find key information they need to implement watershed management decisions. The
Watershed Central site includes guidance, tools, case studies, and data resources that integrate EPA programs to help users share information, analyze data, and initiate, or strengthen their own watershed efforts.
Watershed Central was developed to bridge the gap between user needs and the variety of resources offered by EPA and other groups. The result is an interactive web-based resource that helps users locate the information they need, including environmental data, watershed models, guidance documents, nearby local organizations, technical resources, and funding. A unique feature of Watershed Central is the "Watershed Central
Wiki" — similar to Wikipedia — which allows registered users to submit case studies, tools, local approaches to watershed management, lessons learned, and success stories. To ensure that user needs are met and information is up-to-date, three teams were
established — a Content Team, a User Team and an Information Technology (IT) Team. Team members and participants are solicited from within and outside EPA. In addition, as a feedback mechanism, EPA has sponsored regional workshops where participants are introduced to Watershed Central and encouraged to collaborate on improving the information it contains. The Watershed Central teams and other participants utilize the
wiki site as a forum for discussing and vetting information for inclusion on the Watershed Central public web site.
Watershed Central is a cooperative development effort among EPA's Office of Research and Development (National Risk Management Research Laboratory), Office of Water (Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds), and Office of Environmental Information. This growing and changing program is part of EPA's ongoing commitment to the protection of human health and the environment.
Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program
ETV Verified Technologies
The ETV Program has verified the performance of 408 innovative environmental technologies that can be used to monitor, prevent, control, and clean up pollution. For a full list of ETV verifications, visit
http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifiedtechnologies.html.
Vendor Solicitations
ETV centers issue periodic solicitations for vendors and collaborators interested in verification. For a list of active ETV vendor
solicitations, please visit www.epa.gov/etv/vendorswanted.html,
or contact the appropriate ETV center (see www.epa.gov/etv/contacts.html).
Upcoming Conferences and Meetings
- October 10-14, 2009 – The Water Environment Federation's Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2009), to be held in Orlando, FL, will include technical and educational sessions for water quality professionals on topics such as collection systems, membrane technologies, residuals and biosolids, water reuse/recycling, and others. The event will also include an exhibition featuring cutting-edge water and wastewater technologies. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.weftec.org/home.htm.
- October 26-28, 2009 – The 2009 Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) Annual Conference will be held in Portland, OR. This year's conference themes will include drinking water security strategies, tools and techniques; source water protection, quantity and conservation; small systems technology; distribution systems issues; and emerging contaminants in drinking water. The ETV Drinking Water Systems Center plans to participate. For more information, visit http://www.asdwa.org/conferences.
For more information on the ETV, visit www.epa.gov/etv.
Other EPA News
Smart Growth Solutions Can Help Coastal, Waterfront Communities Address Climate Change, Other Challenges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies have released a
first-of-its-kind smart growth guide that will help coastal and waterfront
communities tackle threats from sea level rise, stronger hurricanes, flooding,
and other challenges. More than half the U.S. population lives in coastal counties, 180 million people visit coastal areas every year, and many others visit lake and riverfront communities. Smart growth approaches can help waterfront communities accommodate their unique growth and development challenges and be more resilient to weather- and climate-related hazards, while protecting their traditional values.
Read the full release here.
Federal Agencies Release Draft Reports Required By Chesapeake Bay Executive Order
Federal agencies recently released the seven draft reports required by President Obama's executive order on the Chesapeake Bay, which contain a range of proposed strategies for accelerating cleanup of the nation's largest estuary and its vast watershed.
For more information on the executive order, visit: http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net. Read the full release
here.
U.S. EPA Reaches Major Settlement For Cleanup Of San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation ("Northrop Grumman"), two related entities, and 43 cash-out parties that requires Northrop Grumman to cleanup groundwater contamination at the Puente Valley Operable Unit of the San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site, Area 4, in Southern
California. For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/.
Read the full release
here.
Economic Recovery Funds to Improve Water Quality, Create Jobs
In an effort to improve water quality and create jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will award a total of $39 million nationally
for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants, which will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment.
A recent award was issued to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
EPA Announces Recovery Act Funds For Water Infrastructure Projects
In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging drinking water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is infusing money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
to help state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.
Recent awards were issued to New Jersey and New York.
EPA Announces Recovery Act Funds For Wastewater Infrastructure Projects
In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is infusing money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
to help state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to wastewater projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the
country. A recent award was issued to Wisconsin.
SOURCE: EPA