August 2018 O&M Newsletter

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August 2018

In this issue:


Calendar


August 10 - NEWEA - Water Reuse Specialty Conference & Tour, Storrs CT, TCH TBD

August 14 - NEWEA - Teacher & Public Outreach Training, Deer Island MA

August 21 - MRWA - ISO and Hydrants, Caribou, BLWSO 4 TCH

August 22 - MRWA - ISO and Hydrants, Bangor, BLWSO 4 TCH

August 23 - MRWA - ISO and Hydrants, Lewiston, BLWSO 4 TCH

August 29 & 30 - MRWA - Privy Protocol: Don't Squat With Your Spurs On!, Richmond

September 10 - NEWEA - Collection Systems Conference & Exhibit, Boxborough MA, DEP 4 TCH

September 19 Thru 21 - MEWEA - 2018 Fall Convention, Sunday River, Variable TCH

October 23 - MRWA - Introduction to Lift Station Maintenance, Westbrook, DEP 6 TCH


Management Candidate School


JETCC is pleased to announce that the 10th year of Management Candidate School will begin on November 14th in Bangor. Thank you to Bangor Water District for hosting the Class of 2019!

The Management Candidate School (MCS) is an 11-month training program that provides the intensive training, networking and skill-development coursework necessary to prepare the next generation of water and wastewater managers and leaders. With many of Maine's current water and wastewater managers at or near retirement age, it is hoped that the individuals who complete the MCS program will be able to continue the critical work of managing the state's water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. This exciting training program is aimed at mid-level operators with management potential.

This year’s MCS class of 23 wastewater and water operators will be graduating at the MEWEA Convention in September, bringing the total number of MCS graduates to 175.

 Visit JETCC’s website at www.jetcc.org for updates.


Monthly Problem Set / For Practice, August


1. Basic fire theory says that a fire needs four main elements to start: heat, fuel, oxygen, and ______________?

A. Hydrogen sulfide
B. Carbon dioxide
C. A chain reaction
D. Benzene

2. Fire detection systems are the ______________ line of defense in any fire protection program.

A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Last

3. _______________ are one of the most dependable ways to fight a fire.

A. Work permits
B. Automatic sprinkler systems
C. Fire escapes
D. Job safety analyses

4. Portable fire extinguishers should only be used for the _______________ stage of a fire.

A. Beginning
B. End
C. Late
D. Middle

5. Fire _______________ is based on the type of fuel used to feed a fire.

A. Detection
B. Classification
C. Prevention
D. Theory

6. Fire extinguishers are classified using the ________________ classification system.

A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
B. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
D. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

7.  Fire extinguishers have a short use period of about ________________.

A. 8-15 seconds
B. 1-2 minutes
C. 2-3 hours
D. 4-5 days

8. Your main responsibility during an emergency is ________________.

A. To rescue your coworkers
B. To order an evacuation
C. Shutting down equipment
D. Self-rescue

9. If you have an injury at work, you should ?

A. Not tell anyone, it is embarrassing.
B. Tell your co-workers and make an appointment with your doctor
C. Tell your manager immediately

10. When confronted with a fire, it is important to take care of people before property.

A. True
B. False

11. How many gallons will a 12” line 3000 feet long hold when completely full?

A. 50,000 gals
B. 17,615 gals
C. 27,630 gals
D. 3,000 gals


Water Quality Re-Classification Initiative


The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is currently conducting a water quality re-classification initiative.  Following the conclusion of the Department’s public input phase on June 5, 2018, the process has now moved to the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP).  The Department presented its revised recommendations to the BEP at the regular meeting on July 19, 2018 in Augusta and requested that the BEP schedule a public hearing.  The Board granted the request and the public hearing on the revised recommendations will occur on September 20, 2018 in Bangor at 1 pm.  Further information on the BEP meeting, including an agenda and meeting materials, will be available on the BEP web page approximately one week prior to the meeting.  The Department encourages all interested persons or entities to attend the hearing and provide input.  A written comment period will occur following the September 20 hearing.

Susanne Meidel

Water Quality Standards Coordinator in the Bureau of Water Quality

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Augusta, ME 04333

Phone: 207 / 441-3612


Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)


Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) Provides Technical Assistance to Small Communities’ Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)

Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) is a national network of non-profit organizations working to provide technical assistance, training, resources, and support to water & wastewater systems across the United States, tribal lands, and U.S. territories. (https://rcap.org/resources/). Generally, our assistance is funded by EPA, USDA, & HHS without any cost to the utilities or communities.

In Maine, RCAP Solutions can provide one-on-one POTW Technical Assistance relating to GIS mapping, asset management, income surveys, rate adjustments, grant application writing, environmental assessments and educational trainings.

Examples of projects we can help communities with include:

• Meeting Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements
• Wastewater treatment and collections operations and reporting
• Asset management – using CUPSS
• Financial management
• Strategic planning
• Vulnerability assessments
• Emergency response planning

We also are available to provide training in these areas:

• Consideration of alternatives for treatment options, including advanced treatment, nutrient control, low-impact development, and other green-infrastructure practices
• Assistance identifying and applying for funding sources
• Assistance forming responsible management entities (RMEs) and supporting the development of a long-term business plan
• Training of community leaders, service providers and regulatory officials to assist in consideration of alternatives, highlight the importance of management, and facilitate certification of installers and operators

Curious? For more information, please contact Art Astarita at 207.766.3065 AAstarita@rcapsolutions.org or Rebecca Reynolds at 207.520.2977 RReynolds@rcapsolutions.org. You can also visit our website at http://www.rcapsolutions.org/maine.


DMR-QA Study 38 due August 31


Many facilities have received their DMR-QA results from the Proficiency Testing (PT) labs and are beginning to send the results to DEP. They are not officially due until August 31, but can be submitted now by email (judy.k.brunejs@main.gov) or mail (DEP-DWQM, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333).

Please complete pages 10-12 from the EPA DMR-QA Study 38 package. If you don’t have a copy of the form, it can be found at this link:

 https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/package37_0.pdf

Include in your submittal a copy of the PT lab result for all analytes tested in your lab.

Complete the form as follows:

- Page 10:  NPDES Permittee Data Report Form – complete and sign
- Page 11:  Identification of Laboratories – List all the labs you use. If you don’t know the lab code, let me know.
- Page 12:  Chemistry/Microbiology Analyte Checklist – Check off the analytes required on your permit, and whether you test them in-house or analyze by a state-certified lab
A copy of the lab results from the PT lab indicating whether or not you passed each analyte tested in your lab.

Don’t worry about completing page 13 (WET Analyte Checklist) or sending WET test results to DEP. I will get the information from the WET lab directly. Also, you do not need to send results of analytes that are tested by your commercial lab, such as phosphorus or low level mercury. These are covered under DHHS’ lab certification program and are not part of this DMR-QA study.

If you fail any tests, let me know by letter or email as soon as possible. You will need to order retest samples from the PT lab by August 17. The retest results and a Corrective Action report are due to DEP by October 26. The Corrective Action report can be a few short paragraphs describing what you think went wrong, and steps taken to correct the problem for future testing.

You can always call or email if you have any questions or require further information, judy.k.bruenjes@maine.gov, 207-287-7806.


Monthly Problem Set / For Practice Answers, August


1. C
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. True
11. B 0.785 X 1 ft X 1 ft X 3000 ft X 7.48 gal/cu ft = 17,615 gals