News
EPA Releases Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
This week, the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Revisions was published in the Federal Register. The comment period on the proposed rule revisions closes January 13, 2020. The rule includes a suite of actions to reduce lead exposure in drinking water where it is needed the most.
The EPA is also proposing to revise requirements for corrosion control treatment (CCT) based on tap sampling results. The EPA’s proposal also establishes a new trigger level of 10 ppb. At this trigger level, systems that currently treat for corrosion would be required to reoptimize their existing treatment. Systems that do not currently treat for corrosion would be required to conduct a corrosion control study so that the system is prepared to respond quickly when necessary.
For more information, go here.
Comment Deadline Extended for Water Quality Trading Notification
On September 19, EPA’s notification and request for comment, Water Quality Trading Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program, was published in the Federal Register. The comment deadline will be extended to December 18.
You can access the docket and learn more information via EPA’s website here.
Coal Combustion Residual Proposal
Repost: If you believe ACWA should provide comments on this rule please contact Sean Rolland.
On November 4, 2019 the EPA Administrator signed a proposed rule revising sections of the April 2015 final rule, revising closure requirements for unlined surface impoundments. In particular EPA is proposing amendments to the closure regulations for the disposal of coal combustion residuals in response to the court decisions. The rule:
- Establishes a new deadline of August 31, 2020 for all unlined surface impoundments and for closure or retrofit
- Establishes procedures for facilities to obtain additional time to develop alternate capacity to manage their waste streams for closures
- Changes the classification of compacted-soil lined or clay-lined surface impoundments from “lined” to “unlined”
- Specifies that all unlined surface impoundments are required to retrofit or close
EPA will provide a 60-day comment period. The prepublication proposal can be found here. For more information about the proposed changes to the CCR regulations, contact Kirsten Hillyer at hillyer.kirsten@epa.gov or 703-347-0369.
Steam Electric ELG
Repost: If you believe ACWA should provide comments on this rule please contact Sean Rolland.
On November 4, 2019 the EPA Administrator signed a proposed rule revising sections of the September 2015 Steam Electric Rule by addressing amending flue gas desulfurization wastewater and bottom ash transport water applicable to the Steam Electric Power. The rule:
- Changes the technology-basis for treatment of FGD wastewater and BA transport water, which lowers costs for utilities and rate payers by using newer pollutant control systems and providing more flexibility in the operation and maintenance of those systems.
- Revises the voluntary incentives program for FGD wastewater to provide a lower cost option and help reduce the amount of pollutants discharged to our nation’s waters by approximately 105 million pounds per year.
- Adds subcategories for high-flow facilities, low utilization units and facilities nearing retirement to reduce costs for utilities and ratepayers by imposing less stringent requirements.
EPA will provide a 60-day comment period. The prepublication proposal can be found here. For additional technical information about the steam electric effluent guidelines proposed rule, please contact Richard Benware at benware.richard@epa.gov or 202-566-1369.
Association Updates
ACWA Holds Fourth Nutrients Permitting Workshop
Last week, ACWA held its fourth Nutrients Permitting Workshop. The workshop was held at the AlexRenew facility in Alexandria, Virginia and focused on identifying challenges and building solutions regarding water quality standards and permitting for nutrients. Over 85 attendees from 26 different states as well as representatives from EPA Headquarters and Regional offices participated, with over 20 individuals participating via stream. To view the presentation slides, go here. The next Nutrients Permitting Workshop will be held in June 2020 and will focus on flexibilities for nutrients permitting (e.g., trading, adaptive management, integrated planning). For more information on the Nutrients Permitting Workshop series, contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
Meetings
2020 National SNC NCI Symposium – January 2020
The 2020 National SNC NCI Symposium will take place January 22-24, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. The goal of this meeting will be to help support states and EPA regions with their efforts to identify and implement activities and actions associated with reducing noncompliance, with particular emphasis on significant non-compliance (SNC). As most of you know, EPA is undertaking a new National Compliance Initiative with the goal of reducing the rate of SNC with an additional focus on identifying and addressing the worst SNC violators. Potential session topics at this meeting may include improving data quality, reducing DMR nonsubmittal, improved understanding of incomplete DMR data transfer, getting permit limits into ICIS, focusing in on small POTW challenges and opportunities for improvement, an overview of current resources available, identification of future training tools and needs, with a large portion of the presentations dedicated to highlighting state and regional SNC success stories. The agenda is currently under development and a draft should be available next week. Further details about this meeting can be found on ACWA’s website. https://www.acwa-us.org/event/2020-national-snc-nci-symposium-dallas-texas/
2020 National Stormwater Roundtable – February 2020
The 2020 National Stormwater Roundtable will be held in San Antonio, Texas on February 4 – 6, 2020, supports implementation of federal and state municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, highlighting new technologies, facilitating discussion on national program enhancements and improvements, identifying state resource needs including tools, training and guidance, and proposing solutions to challenges and barriers faced by the regulators and other stakeholders. The Stormwater Roundtable is a national meeting specifically organized by state and federal regulators for EPA and state program staff representatives. Attendees include state managers, permit writers, inspectors, compliance staff involved in regulating stormwater, EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in stormwater regulation, and partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to the stormwater program. Future updates for this meeting can be found on ACWA’s webpage – https://www.acwa-us.org/event/2020-national-stormwater-roundtable/
2020 National Pretreatment Meeting – SAVE THE DATE!
The 2020 National Pretreatment Meeting will take place May 11-13 in Nashville, Tennessee. Though the agenda is currently in development, tentatively, Monday, May 11 will be a series of training sessions from 1-5; Tuesday, May 12 will be an all-day states and EPA-only meeting; and Wednesday, May 13 will be an all-day meeting partnered with NACWA at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University. ACWA is currently recruiting folks to joined a planning committee to help craft the meeting agenda. Contact Mark Patrick McGuire if you are interested.
Job Opportunities
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a vacancy for the position of Public Service Manager 2, serving as the Bureau Chief of the Water Quality Bureau. This position provides oversight to the state of Iowa’s water quality programs, including an $18M budget and over 100 full time employees. The Chief provides overall management direction and oversight to the following areas: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Wastewater, Water Supply, Watershed Improvement and Water Quality Monitoring and Improvement.
Job Number: 20-01234
Location: Environmental Services Division, Water Quality Bureau, Des Moines, IA
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday-Friday, some weekends, holidays, after hours,
Closing Date: December 3, 2019 – 11:59 p.m.
For specific job duties, requirements, and application information, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/2628648/bureau-chief-water-quality?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Coming Soon…
Watersheds Committee Call: Assessment & Prioritization
Thursday, November 21, 2:30-4:00 EST.
This call will feature presentations and discussion on the assessment & prioritization goals of the VISION.
You may register here. Please contact Jasper Hobbs with any questions.
