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• Water Supply, Wastewater, Sludge, and Operator Certification Rule Changes are Effective
• FY 2022 Intended Use Plan Q4 Updates Approved
• Resources on Cybersecurity
• No-Cost Workshop: Asset Management for Iowa Small Systems
• Surface Water Treatment Optimization Workshop
• Operator Certification: Continuing Education Opportunities

Water Supply, Wastewater, Sludge, and Operator Certification Rule Changes are Effective

Updates to several portions of the departments' water supply rules, the wastewater rules, the sludge/biosolids rules, and the operator certification rules became effective on March 16, 2022.  These changes are described in more detail below.

Water Supply Rule Changes (Chapters 9, 40, 43, 49): Several changes were made to cleanup and modify the water supply rules. The updated versions of the water supply rules can be viewed using the following links: Chapter 9 - Chapter 40 - Chapter 43 - Chapter 49  The changes are summarized below.

• Chapter 9 - The change to Chapter 9 aligned the rules with 2020 Iowa Acts, House File 2475, which amended Iowa Code section 455B.183(2) to allow local public works departments to retain a professional engineer in lieu of directly employing an engineer. The department has been enforcing the law since its passage.
• Chapter 43, water mains - The changes to the water main separation distance rules in Chapter 43 eased certain aspects of the requirements and captured siting and construction alternatives developed from variances directly into the rules. Specifically, the changes put more emphasis on water main construction than on distance requirements and distinguish between sanitary and storm sewers.  Water Main and Sewer Separation Requirements FAQ
• Chapters 40, 43, and 49, separation distances - Changes were made to clarify the well separation distances. Sources of contamination are now named consistently across the rules, and the separation distances are more uniform.

Wastewater Cleanup Rule Changes (Chapters 60-64): The Chapters included in the wastewater cleanup rule were 60, 62, 63, and 64. The updated wastewater rules can be viewed on the NPDES Rules webpage. The changes are summarized below.

• Chapter 60 - add and update definitions, remove old forms, and add language on electronic form submittal.
• Chapter 62 - update date reference for Federal effluent and pretreatment standards in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and add a reference to new federal dental effluent limitation guidelines.
• Chapter 63 - add CFR reference for analytical testing methods; clarify alternative test procedure and method modification requirements; update the rule-referenced Supporting Document for Permit Monitoring Frequency Determination; update WET testing guidelines; add electronic reporting language; rescind land application monitoring table; rescind table for preservation techniques, containers and holding times and replace it with a reference to the table in the CFR, and move language on monitoring well sampling procedures.
• Chapter 64 - simplify and clarify general permit language; modify language the operation permit period; update public notice and public hearing language; update and revise disadvantaged community eligibility requirements; add specific fee amounts from Iowa Code 455B.197; and add new language on the Nutrient Reduction Exchange (NRE).

Sludge Rule Changes (Chapter 67): The updates to the sludge/biosoilds rules cleaned up and modified the rules for readability and to align with governing federal law. Use this link to view the updated Chapter 67 rules.

Operator Certification Rule Changes (Chapter 81): The changes to Chapter 81 added a new wastewater classification grade that will benefit very small communities and simplified and refined the rules by clarifying definitions, better specifying certain operator requirements, and removing references to an obsolete classification grade. Use this link to view the updated Chapter 81 rules.

FY 2022 Intended Use Plan Q4 Updates Approved

The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) approved the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Intended Use Plans (IUP) fourth quarter update for fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022). The Commission took the action on March 15, 2022 during their meeting.

Resources on Cybersecurity

The American Water Works Association-Iowa Section reminds organizations that now is the time to prepare for cyber threats and strongly encourage all organizations to review and and monitor the Shields Up webpage provided by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Here you will find guidance on hardening systems, specific recommendations for leadership, a checklist for ransomware response, timely updates, and more.

As a reminder, CISA also offers:

• Pro Bono Services – CISA recently launched a new catalog of free cybersecurity services from CISA, the open-source community, and private sector partners in the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative. The catalog is designed to help under-resourced organizations improve their security posture.
• Mis-, dis-, Malinformation (MDM) – CISA released a CISA Insights titled, Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Critical Infrastructure, which provides critical infrastructure owners and operators with guidance on how to identify and mitigate the risks of influence operations using MDM narratives from steering public opinion and impacting National Critical Functions and critical infrastructure.  

Organizations are encouraged to remain vigilant and lower the threshold for reporting. If you believe that your jurisdiction, or a critical infrastructure partner, has experienced a intrusion, please report incidents and anomalous activity to CISA (Central@cisa.gov; 1-888-282-0870) and/or the FBI's 24/7 CyWatch at (855) 292-3937 or CyWatch@fbi.gov.

There are several additional resources available to inform, educate, and prevent a cyber attack from happening at a facility including:

EPA Water Sector Cybersecurity Brief for States

15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater Utilities

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Assessment Services

AWWA Resources on Cybersecurity

EPA Cybersecurity Incident Action Checklist

No-Cost Workshop: Asset Management for Iowa Small Systems

Surface Water Treatment Optimization Workshop

This full-day training, included in your Full Two-Day Registration or Tuesday-Only Registration, is ideal for surface water treatment operators, and would be beneficial to management and maintenance staff along with operators who are working toward IDNR Grade 3 or Grade 4 Water Treatment Certification.

Due to the workshop structure featuring a mix of presentations and small group activities, attendees must pre-register for and commit to attending the the full day of sessions.

April 25-26, 2022

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny, IA

Early Bird Registration Discount Ends April 15

Join us April 25-26 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny for two days of operator-focused continuing education and networking with the opportunity to earn up to 1.0 CEU approved for IDNR Water Treatment and Distribution certifications.

Monday’s General Sessions, also approved for 0.5 IDNR Wastewater Treatment CEUs,  will cover a number of timely updates and critical topics for all water industry professionals, plus a dedicated Maintenance Track will begin after the lunch break.

Tuesday’s program empowers attendees to further customize their own learning with Maintenance, Water Treatment, and Distribution sessions to choose from each hour, or the option to participate in the included full-day Surface Water Treatment Optimization Workshop (pre-registration is required).

Each day's registration includes a light continental breakfast as well as lunch.

Visit the event webpage for more information including the program and IDNR CEU approval details, or register today.

Operator Certification: Continuing Education Opportunities

Online and virtual training opportunities are being created and offered through community colleges, state industry associations, national industry associations, EPA, and other state industry partners. All operators should continue to monitor their emails and the Training Calendar on the Iowa DNR Operator Certification Database. Look at the calendar often, as there are new opportunities posted throughout the week. 

Upcoming Conferences include:

Please contact Laurie Sharp at (515) 725-0284 with any questions concerning operator certification training.