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Anna Seeger fills an environmental engineer vacancy in WSE, and began work at the end of June. She has a BS in Environmental Science and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa.
Meghan Oneal will fill an environmental specialist vacancy in WSO, and will begin work in mid-July at DNR. She has a BS in Entomology from Iowa State University and an MPA from Drake University.
From Sarah Petersen, Community Water Fluoridation Coordinator, IDPH
“Effective July 1, a new Iowa law requires an owner or operator of a public water supply system to notify consumers served by the system at least ninety days prior to taking any action to permanently discontinue fluoridation of its water supply. The public water supply must also provide notice to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). The link to the legislation can be found here.
Community water fluoridation is the precise adjustment of natural fluoride levels to the optimal level of 0.7 mg/L to prevent cavities. Some benefits of community water fluoridation include:
- Being a cost-effective and efficient way to prevent and reduce tooth decay.
- For every $1 spent on community water fluoridation, $38 in dental treatment costs are saved.
- Reduction in cavities by at least 25% in both children and adults.
- A lifetime of cavity prevention regardless of age, income, or education.
“This law will allow for consumers’ awareness of the status of fluoridation in their water supply to ensure they are receiving the needed amount of fluoride to prevent cavities,” said Dr. Bob Russell, Dental Director, Bureau of Oral and Health Delivery Systems. “We continue to support community water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and equitable way to achieve optimal oral health of a population.”
The IDPH Bureau of Oral and Health Delivery Systems monitors the fluoride levels of Iowa communities and provides information, education, and assistance to water supply professionals, health care professionals, and the public. To see the fluoridation status of Iowa counties and towns, visit My Water’s Fluoride.
Any questions related to this law should be directed to Sarah Petersen, Community Water Fluoridation Coordinator, Iowa Department of Public Health. 515-204-3450 or sarah.petersen@idph.iowa.gov.”
From Iowa Finance Authority, 6/23/2021
“Beginning July 1, 2021, the SRF staff will no longer be pulling the Davis-Bacon wage determinations for SRF projects. That process will now be completed by someone working directly on the project (consulting engineer, city staff, individual responsible for Davis Bacon compliance, etc.). If an additional job classification is needed, the Form SF 1444 (“Request for Authorization of Additional Classification and Rate”) must still be sent to Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to submit to the Department of Labor (DOL).
Note that this change applies ONLY to projects funded solely with SRF. If the project is funded with CDBG and SRF, continue to use the CDBG Davis-Bacon process.
Please refer to the Davis Bacon Guidance and Compliance Basics document on Davis-Bacon Labor Procedures web page.
Please contact the Water Quality Team with questions.”
To find continuing education opportunities, please view the “Training Calendar” at programs.iowadnr.gov/opcertweb/ Training events where Iowa DNR staff will make presentations are listed below with the presentation name in the description. Also included are training events provided by EPA or a federal agency where Iowa CEU are granted, or events sponsored by Iowa DNR. See the listing on the appropriate date on the Training Calendar for registration instructions. Look at the calendar often, as there are new opportunities posted throughout the week.
- July 19-20, 2021, Ankeny Annual Water Conference, Ankeny. “Iowa DNR Update”. To register, contact Kim Peterson at 515-669-1528 or Kim@KeyElementsConsulting.com.
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