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The Iowa DNR
recommends routine inspection of water storage tanks, including towers to help
maintain good water quality in the distribution system and extend the life of
the tank. Inspection is recommended at
least every three to five years as recommended by AWWA and USEPA, or more often
if local conditions warrant. Inspection,
cleaning, and maintenance can be accomplished by draining and entering the tank
or by using certified commercial divers or remotely operated vehicles
(ROV). Any of these methods are
acceptable to the department and there are not specific Iowa rules governing
the methods for cleaning or inspecting water storage tanks.
The department does have rules for
disinfection and sampling following cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of
storage tanks. These are detailed in
AWWA Standard C652-11. It is the water
system’s responsibility to ensure the contractor is meeting the requirements of
this standard and that the water being served to its customers is safe. The department is working on detailed
guidance and another article will be issued when it is completed.
Please note
that inspection of tanks used to meet contact time requirements (CT tanks), may
require additional measurements and surveillance to ensure the systems meets
their CT and turbidity requirements. The
system is encouraged to consult with the Field Office prior to inspection of a
CT tank.
If you have
questions about the procedure, please consult with your DNR Field Office.
From
WaterOperator.org, 8/7/2018
“See how many design and engineering phases water tower construction has
gone through since the late 1800s.” The Stanton, Iowa coffee pot tower with rosemaling
is mentioned in the article.
From ASDWA Weekly
Update, July 20, 2018
“In a Federal
Register Notice on
July 13, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced
a proposed operational control range around the optimal fluoride
concentration in community water systems that adjust fluoride.
The proposed operational control range is 0.6 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L. This
will help guide operators of water systems as they work to achieve the optimal
fluoridation target level of 0.7 mg/L that was set in 2015. For operational
criteria, CDC is proposing that the monthly average fluoride level is
maintained within the proposed operational control range, and 80%
of daily measurements of fluoride are maintained within the proposed operational
control range.
CDC is requesting
comment on the proposed control range and operational criteria. Comments
can be submitted until October 11, 2018. Comments can be submitted
through www.regulations.gov using Docket
number CDC–2018–0064 or directly to CDC at Division of Oral Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS S107-8,
Atlanta, Georgia 30341, Attn: Docket Number: CDC-2018-0064.
Additional details on
the proposal are included in the Federal
Register Notice.”
University
of Iowa’s Office of Strategic Communication, 7/30/2018
“Iowa Geological Survey and IIHR–Hydroscience and Engineering research
engineer Keith Schilling has been officially named Iowa’s State Geologist.
Schilling, whose expertise is in hydrogeology, had served as acting State
Geologist for about a year before his appointment was officially approved by
the Board of Regents. Schilling has three decades of experience as a
geologist in Iowa and also serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the UI Department
of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He holds a master’s degree from Iowa State
University and a PhD from the University of Iowa.
“The Iowa Geological Survey is doing important work that serves Iowans in
many ways,” Schilling said. “I’m proud to be selected for this position and to
lead a program that has such a long and storied history in the state. It’s an
honor and a privilege that I take very seriously.”
Since 2014, the Iowa Geological Survey has been a part of IIHR at the UI.
The Iowa Geological Survey provides Iowans with expertise in subsurface geology
and groundwater resources. It also executes bedrock mapping statewide,
maintains a repository of geologic samples and data, conducts geologic
research, and organizes a wide range of outreach and
educational activities.”
USGS News Release, August 6, 2018
“The U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Program has updated its
interactive web tool that maps decadal changes in groundwater quality across
the nation. The web tool, Decadal Change in Groundwater
Quality, now includes more groundwater well networks and data analyzed
over a longer time span. In the update, groundwater quality data were added for
an additional 218 wells in 6 well networks {across the nation}, increasing the
number of wells to 1,718 and the number of well networks to 73.
Additionally, data for 14 well networks resampled during 2012–14 were
incorporated, allowing the user to visualize changes across three roughly
decadal sampling events for those networks since the 1990s.
Users of
the web tool can easily visualize changes in both inorganic and organic
constituent concentrations in groundwater, including chloride, nitrate, several
pesticides, and some drinking-water disinfection byproducts. The website also
includes a description of the methods used to evaluate changes in groundwater
quality and a link to the complete set of data. For additional information on
the groundwater-quality web tool, or for data and methods used, contact Bruce
Lindsey (blindsey@usgs.gov).”
ASDWA Update, August 7, 2018
“The 2019 Request for Proposals (RFP) is now
open for the Healthy Watersheds Consortium (HWC) Grant Program. The HWC is a
partnership between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, EPA, and
the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Up to $1.2 million is available
for projects that accelerate strategic protection of healthy, freshwater
ecosystems and their watersheds (including drinking water watersheds) across
the nation. The primary focus for proposals should be on the protection and
stewardship of land in the watershed, rather than just water quality
improvements. The due date for proposals is February 4, 2019. For more
information, view the Request for Proposals for eligibility criteria; visit the HWC Grant Program
website; and register for the informational
webinar session on Wednesday, October 24, at 1:00 pm (CDT).”
Iowa
DNR staff in the water supply program areas are scheduled to speak at the
following events. The date, sponsor and
event, location, subject, and contact for more information are listed.
- August 28-29,
2018, AWWA-IA Section Fall Short Course, Ankeny. “IDNR WS Update; Discussion of Events at Creston/SIRWA
Panel; Nitrification in Distribution Systems.”
Brochure and registration.
- September
11–12, 2018, IRWA Fall Conference, Okoboji.
“IDNR WS Update.” Brochure and
registration (agenda is at the bottom of the page)
- September 19, 2018, American Membrane Technology Association
(AMTA), North Liberty. “Membrane
Applications in Iowa and Regulatory Considerations.” Brochure and registration. Space limited to 50 attendees.
- September 27,
2018, SHL Laboratory Symposium, Coralville.
“IDNR Rules; Roundtable on Ammonia and Nitrite.” Brochure and registration.
- October 10,
2018. IA-AWWA Region 3 Workshop, Western
Iowa Tech., Cherokee. “IDNR WS
Update.” Brochure and registration
available at a later date. Contact Brad
Puetz, Sioux City Water Treatment Plant at 712-279-6130.
- October 11,
2018. IA-AWWA Region 2 Workshop, NIACC Muse-Norris, Mason
City. “IDNR WS Update.” Brochure and registration.
- October
23-24, 2018. IRWA Fall Conference,
Dubuque. “IDNR WS Update.” Brochure and registration (agenda is at the
bottom of the page)
For other
professional development opportunities, see the “Training Calendar” at programs.iowadnr.gov/opcertweb/.
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