January 2020
Jan. 7, 9, 14, & 16 - MRWA - Class II Water Treatment Certification Exam Prep (4 Day Course), Richmond, DEP 10 TCH, BLWSO 20 TCH
Jan. 15 - MRWA - Backflow Assessment, Westbrook, Approval Pending
Jan. 21, 23, 28, & 30 - MRWA - Class I & II Distribution Certification Exam Prep (4 Day Course), Richmond, DEP 10 TCH, BLWSO 20 TCH
Jan. 26 Thru 29 - NEWEA - Annual Conference & Exhibit, Boston MA, Variable TCH
Feb. 2020 - MRWA - Introduction to Technology: Your Computer & Excel for WW Operators, Gorham, Farmington, Old Town, & Caribou, Approval Pending
Feb. 5 & 6 - MWUA - 94th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Augusta, Variable TCH
Feb. 11 - JETCC - Navigating the Bid Process: From Submittal to Installation, Wells, DEP 6 TCH, BLWSO 6 TCH
Feb. 19 - JETCC - Disinfection Options & Extended Disinfection Season Overview, Falmouth, DEP 6 TCH
Feb. 20 - JETCC - Disinfection Options & Extended Disinfection Season Overview, Orono, DEP 6 TCH
Mark your calendar for the Maine Water Utilities Association (MWUA) 94th Annual Conference & Trade Show, February 5-6, 2020. After many years in Portland, the show will move to a new location at the Augusta Civic Center! Once again, the conference will feature New Product Technology sessions at trade show booths and classes to appeal to operators, managers and office personnel alike. For more information go to MWUA.
It’s not too late to register for the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) 2020 Annual Conference & Exhibit, Water’s Worth It, Inspiring the Water Revolution will be held January 26-29 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. For more information, go to www.newea.org.
Cold Weather
1. For every 10 degree change in temperature the activity of the biomass changes:
a. One log growth (ten times)
b. 2 log growths (100 times)
c. Doubles
d. No significant change
2. Hypothermia only occurs at subzero temperatures and is not a danger above 32 degrees:
a. True
b. False
3. A temperature drop from 500 to 400
a. Doesn’t really affect the bugs
b. May affect the bugs but does not require a change in operations
c. May require an MLSS increase.
d. Is a huge decrease and requires a dramatic response
4. If it gets really cold you may need to increase the MLSS compared to the summer months by
a. 1000 times
b. 100 times
c. 10 times
d. 2-3 times the MLSS
5. Clarifier bed height during the winter months
a. May need to be increased compared to the summer months.
b. May need to be decreased compared to the summer months.
c. Should always remain empty during the winter to avoid gasification
d. Does not change during the winter compared to the summer
6. Oxidation ditches may experience problems in the winter months due to the fact that they have?
a. Deep tanks that retain heat
b. Large surface area exposed to the cold weather
c. Mechanical mixers that can help by generating some heat.
d. Increased nitrification / denit
7. Microthrix parvicella, a filamentous bacteria that can cause serious foaming problems
a. Freezes in the ice and causes odors
b. Dies off in cold weather
c. Loves cold weather
d. Transforms to Nocardia in cold weather
8. Lagoons and once-through systems have a significant disadvantage during the winter because?
a. I/I brings in cold water
b. RAS levels go over the roof
c. They cannot increase their RAS. This limits their ability to degrade BOD when the bacteria slow down due to the cold.
d. Boats used for maintenance may freeze in the ice
9. Hazards operators may encounter during the winter months include:
a. Slip, trips and falls are major hazard
b. Hypothermia, frostbite, and exposure injuries
c. Overexertion and dehydration
d. Falling ice and snow
e. All of the above
10. One strategy for lagoons during cold weather is to:
a. Keep lagoon surface at high levels to allow longer detention time and minimize heat loss
b. Keep ice and snow from covering surface so algae has more surface area to grow
c. Run blowers to keep anaerobic gases from dissolving into the ice
d. Dig intermittent air holes so DO can enter the water from the atmosphere
Due to perennial Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) caused by winter and spring rain/snow melt events, the Wastewater Department took on the major task of finding and eliminating sources of collection system inflow. We already had a clear town ordinance prohibiting non-wastewater discharges but knew identifying and eliminating those discharges would take time and a lot of work. We also understood this would be an unpopular effort with customers, so we were careful to enlist the support of the Select Board and Town manager early in the process.
In order to educate the residents that use the wastewater system, a letter explaining why the inspections were necessary was included in a quarterly billing. A news article was also submitted to the local newspaper, and a Select Board meeting included a discussion on the inspections.
Smoke and dye testing were initially used to look for cross connections between the sewer and storm water systems. Five flowmeters were also deployed in an attempt to narrow the location of major source(s) of inflow.
Knowing that more than 1600 buildings needed to be inspected, college students were hired in the summer months to help with the inspections. Inspections included documentation of plumbing systems and dye testing of floor drains and sump pumps. Roof gutter systems that discharge underground were also dye tested.
The inflow inspections began in the summer of 2015 and we are now in the “mop up” stage with a few buildings needing inspections and some residents still working with contractors to fix inflow sources. Roughly 13% of the buildings on the collection system had inflow sources.
Lessons Learned
It was important to be very organized given multiple mailings were sent to customers to keep them working toward the goal of removing inflow sources. Lack of response from a few residents also complicated the recordkeeping process given potential future legal action requires an iron clad notification paper trail.
iPads and a specialized software program were used to document inspections and track corrective progress. The iPads played double duty as a camera used to document each building sewer plumbing system. An electronic system for this type of exercise is priceless.
Given the survey task for all the buildings on a collection system will likely take multiple years, and contractors tend to be very busy in the construction months, it is recommended inflow source removal requests be mailed as soon after the survey is carried out as possible.
Questions? Please contact Dave Bolstridge, Superintendent at (207) 236-7955 or at dbolstridge@camdenmaine.gov.
The Department administers programs for State wastewater grant funding through the Municipal Construction Grant Program and wastewater loan funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Additional information on these programs can be found at http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/srfparag.html .
The funding for wastewater projects is often complex and can involve State grants, CWSRF loans, USDA Rural Development grants and loans, HUD Community Development Block Grants, Northern Border Regional Commission grants, and even US Dept. of Commerce Economic Development Administration grants. The timing for complying with all of these agencies’ requests is complex and can be confusing. To ease some of that guess work, the Department would like to announce its anticipated schedule for applying for and being notified of offers for state wastewater grant and CWSRF loan funding. This is our anticipated schedule and we will try to adhere to is as best we can.
State Wastewater Grants
• 12/17/19 – Project Funding Applications Requested
• 02/07/20 – Project Funding Applications Due
• 02/28/20 – Grant Offers Made
• 04/24/20 – Grant Offer Acceptance by Applicant
• July 2020 – Grant Funding Available
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loans
• 01/27/20 – Project Funding Applications Requested
• 03/20/20 – Project Funding Applications Due (3 weeks after grant offers are made)
• 04/10/20 – Loan Offers Made
• 05/08/20 – Loan Offer Acceptance by Applicant
• June 2020 – Loan Funding Available
For more information, please contact John True at 287 7808, john.n.true@maine.gov.
Important Information for Operators with Even-Numbered Certification – Please Read!
All operators with even-numbered certificates should verify their TCH reports in advance of the renewal deadline. Make sure that you have received at least 18 TCHs from March 1, 2018 through February 28, 2020.
Historically a maximum of 6 TCHs of Safety training was allowed as part of the 18 TCHs. Effective this renewal period, DEP is allowing up to 6 Management TCHs to be used as part of the 6 Safety TCHs. On your training reports from NEIWPCC-JETCC, the combination of Safety and Management TCHs will be indicated with an “S” for SPECIAL. The total combination of SPECIAL hours (both Safety and Management) cannot exceed 6 TCHs towards the 18 TCHs required.
You can check your Continuing Education hour totals on JETCC’s website by going to www.jetcc.org. On the bottom right corner titled “Certification Corner” click on the box to check your training hours online. If you have taken courses not reflected in the report, send your paperwork to certification@neiwpcc-jetcc.org or call (207) 253-8020.
You can pay your renewal fee at www.jetcc.org until 3/1/20 by using a credit card by clicking “View Details” under “Certification Corner”.
If you took a wastewater class that was not “pre-approved”, it may still be eligible for TCHs. Send the Certificate of Completion, course agenda, and completed Application for TCHs form (found on the JETCC website). Please allow time for DEP review by sending the information as soon as the course is completed.
Questions about renewals? Contact email certification@neiwpcc-jetcc.org or call NEIWPCC-JETCC at (207) 253-8020.
If you no longer want to be a certified operator (perhaps you have retired, changed positions, moved out of Maine, etc.) and want to give up your certification, please contact JETCC in writing and let them know.
If you have questions about the Certification program, please contact Judy Bruenjes at 207-287-7806, judy.k.bruenjes@maine.gov.
The New Year is a good time to review possible updates for NetDMR user accounts associated with your permit. Over the course of the year changes in personnel, either due to hiring new employees or employees taking new opportunities, can make it necessary to remove access for previous employees or to add access NetDMR for employees.
The first step to add a new user in NetDMR is to create an account through CDX (Central Data Exchange). CDX is one of the electronic reporting sites used by EPA to receive legally defensible data in various formats. Instructions for setting an account can be found here:
https://netdmr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002191783-How-to-Create-a-New-CDX-Account
Please note that most users should select Permittee-Signature account type when creating their account. This will allow the user to request access to the to any role. The most commonly used roles in NetDMR are Edit and Signatory. Users that have been approved for the Edit role can enter DMR data in NetDMR but are not authorized to digitally “Sign and Submit” the DMR data. In order to Sign and Submit DMR data a user must be approved for the Signatory role in NetDMR. In order to be approved for the Signatory role to be approved Maine DEP must receive a signed Signature agreement authorized by the Responsible Official at the facility where the request has been initiated.
Information on requesting signatory access to permits can be found here:
https://netdmr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003368703-How-do-I-request-access-for-a-permit-for-signatories-only-
In general, it is best to contact the NetDMR coordinator prior to starting a request for the Signatory role to confirm the correct person to use as the Responsible Official on the signature agreement.
The process for removing an employee’s NetDMR access is much less formal. To do this, a person with active Signatory role for the permit should send a letter to the NetDMR coordinator stating the name and email address along with a brief description of the reason for removing the employee’s access to the permit. This letter should be on the letterhead for the facility that is submitting the request to have the employee’s access to their permit removed.
If you need to add or remove users, or if you have any questions related to NetDMR please contact Brett Goodrich at 207-287-9034 or Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov.
On November 6, 2018, voters approved Referendum Question No. 2, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Infrastructure Projects. Passage of this Act provided $27,650,000 in funding for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction Grants Program. This funding was split between two years to allow applicants time to do the preliminary engineering necessary to define projects and apply for a potential grant funding. In SFY 2019, approximately $14 million of this funding was allocated to important projects around the state.
The Department is notifying potential recipients of the availability of grant funding for wastewater infrastructure planning and construction; and is requesting applicants to submit wastewater projects for potential grant funding. The Department intends to make available for award the remaining $13,650,000 in Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction Grants in accordance with Title 38, sections 411 and 412 of the Maine Revised Statutes.
The intent in distribution of the grant funding is to assist municipalities that would:
- experience a significant hardship raising the revenue necessary to finance their project;
- leverage the grant funds with funding from other agencies to make projects possible that otherwise would not be; and
- address environmental water quality concerns.
Affordability
In assessing a significant financial hardship, the Department will use the same criteria and methodology that is used in awarding loan principal forgiveness under the Clean Water State Revolving [Loan] Fund (CWSRF), which the Department also administers. In that analysis, the five criteria of income, poverty rate, unemployment, population trend, and sewer user rate as a percentage of median household income for the municipality are compared to the State average data for those criteria and expressed as a ratio to the State rate. With five criteria, each valued at 1.0 for the State average, the points are summed to make the total of the State’s average points to be 5.0. Projects in communities where the municipality’s “affordability” points (Points) are 7.0 (140% of the State value) or higher would qualify as a project that needs additional financial assistance in the form of grants. Within the limits of available funding, the Department’s goal would be to provide enough grant assistance, if possible, to lower the municipality’s Points to 7.0. This grant amount would be considered the “Need” to make the project affordable. This might not always be possible because:
- some municipalities might already be above this threshold prior to implementing a new project;
- grants do not cover the total project costs and therefore additional local funding might be needed;
- the applicant has received the maximum grant amount; or
- there may be insufficient grant funds.
Planning Grants
In SFY 2020, the Department intends to make $200,000 in bond proceeds available for Planning Grants. Grants may be awarded in the amount of 15–25% of the eligible costs for preliminary planning of a pollution abatement plan, i.e. facilities plan, preliminary engineering report, etc. To assist as many applicants as possible, grant awards will be limited to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant. To be eligible for a planning grant, the applicant’s Points must be 7.0, or higher. There is No Deadline for submission of applications. Applications may be submitted throughout the year and will be processed and awarded to eligible applicants in order of receipt, until allocated funds are expended.
Design and Construction Grants
In SFY 2020, the Department intends to make available $13,450,000 in bond proceeds for design and construction of wastewater pollution abatement projects. Grants may be awarded in the amount of 15-25% of the eligible costs for design and up of 80% of the eligible construction costs (bidding, construction administration and inspection, and construction).
The applicant’s current equivalent dwelling unit user rate, along with their poverty and unemployment rates, median household income, and 10-year population trend will be used to calculate their current affordability points. Applicant’s with points below 7.0 will be considered to have additional capacity to finance a portion or all their project. The Department will estimate the user rate increase needed to get the applicant to the minimum affordability points of 7.0. The estimated rate increase represents the potential additional debt service that the applicant can incur for additional loans and still deem the project affordable. Requested amounts more than the additional loan capacity, not consumed by other borrowing for the project, will be considered the additional grant “Need” for the project. Applicants with current affordability points of 7.0 or higher, will be considered to have a need equal to their requested amount. The applicant’s Points will be calculated taking into consideration the estimated project cost and all funding sources and additional debt. To be eligible for a Design/Construction grant, the applicant’s Points must be 7.0 or higher. Within the limits of available funding, the Department’s goal would be to provide enough grant assistance, if possible, to lower the municipality’s Points to 7.0. This grant amount would be considered the “Need” to make the project affordable.
- Preliminary Engineering Report
Except as noted below, applications for design and construction grant funding must include a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) prepared by a Professional Engineer Licensed in the State of Maine and prepared in accordance with the Interagency Memorandum (see US EPA website Common Interagency Preliminary Engineering Report Format (pdf) )
- Prior to submission of an application, applicants may consult with the Department for approval to waive certain PER requirements for the following projects:
- Straight forward sewer replacement/rehabilitation projects
- Straight forward force main replacement projects
- Minor upgrades to pumping stations
- Asset Management Plan (Fiscal Sustainability Plan)
To effectively manage and maintain the infrastructure financed by public grant funds, grant recipients will be required to develop and implement an Asset Management Plan in accordance with the most recent Clean Water State Revolving Fund Requirements and Guidance for a Fiscal Sustainability Plan. The planning area will be negotiated with the Department and will cover, at a minimum, the financed project and other assets in the same group, i.e. other pumping stations, other sewers in the same sewershed, the treatment plant for upgrade projects, etc.
- Distribution of Available Grant Funds for Design and Construction
Please note: If a project previously received state grant funding from the Department, it is not eligible to apply and receive additional grant funding for the same project. The maximum grant awarded based on Affordability “Need” and Environmental Benefit shall not exceed $2,000,000 per applicant.
- Distribution Between Applicants with Points 7.0 or Higher, based on “Need”:
In SFY 2020, $5,000,000 of the $13,450,000 will be allocated to be distributed between the applicants with Points 7.0 or higher, based on the percentage of the applicant’s funding “Need” to make their project “affordable”, to the Total “Need” of all applicants with Points of 7.0, or higher. The maximum grant would not exceed the grant needed to get an applicant’s project down to the affordability threshold of 7.0 Points. If the grant offer is not sufficient to get the project down to the affordability threshold, the applicant’s project will be evaluated for possible additional grant funding based on Environmental Benefit (see Distribution Based on Environmental Benefit).
Example 1: Applicant A’s Need is $500,000 and the Total Needs of all applicants is $10,000,000. Applicant A’s Need’s percentage is 5% and therefore they could qualify for up to 5% of the $5,000,000 available, i.e. $250,000. Example 2: If the Total Needs of all applicants is only $3,000,000, Applicant A’s Need percentage would be 16.7% of the $5,000,000, i.e. $835,000. However, Applicant A only needs $500,000 to make their project “affordable”, Points of 7.0, therefore they would only receive a grant offer of $500,000.
- Distribution Based on Environmental Benefit:
In SFY 2020, $5,000,000 of the $13,450,000 will be allocated to be distributed in an attempt to make projects “affordable” based on the project’s ranking established using the Department’s Environmental Priority Point System, coupled with additions points for “green” projects, regulatory requirements, expected degree of success in addressing pollution concerns, regionalization of work, and co-funding of the project. The Department will offer grant funds to the applicant with the highest environmental ranking, then subsequently to applicants with progressively lower rankings until the allocated funding has been committed. The amount of the grant, when combined with the grant received based on Affordability, shall not exceed the amount needed to get the applicant’s project down to the affordability threshold of 7 Points.
- Distribution at the Department’s Discretion:
In SFY 2020, $3,450,000 of the $13,450,000, plus any unused funding based on “Need”, may be used at the Department’s discretion for projects it deems to be excessively unaffordable and/or of high environmental benefit. The Department also reserves the right to amend any of the allotment amounts above, should circumstances require it.
Fiscal Year Carryover
Unused SFY 2020 funding for Planning Grants and Design and Construction Grants will be carried over into the next fiscal year in those respective categories.
Application Process and Submission Deadline
Planning Grant: Applicants must submit a completed Wastewater Planning State Grant application and the Wastewater Planning Grant User Rate Calculator. The User Rate Calculator, along with the other criteria listed under Affordability, are used to determine if the applicant meets the minimum affordability threshold for a grant.
- 2020 Application Form for Wastewater Planning State Grant (attached)
- Wastewater Planning Grant User Rate Calculator (attached)
Wastewater Infrastructure Project Grant: Applicants must submit a completed Wastewater Infrastructure State Grant application form, the Wastewater Infrastructure User Rate Calculator, and a Preliminary Engineering Report for their project. The user rate calculator, along with the other criteria listed under Affordability, are used to determine if the applicant meets the minimum affordability threshold for a grant and will be used to estimate the assistance needed to make the applicant’s project “affordable”. For your assistance, the following forms are attached
- 2020 Application Form for Wastewater Infrastructure State Grant
- Wastewater Infrastructure Grant User Rate Calculator (attached)
The above forms will be posted shortly on the Department’s website at http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/srfparag.html. The following documents are also posted on the website for your information.
- CWSRF Requirements and Guidance for a Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP)
- Maine City/Town Census Data
- 2020 Affordability Points Calculator
Completed applications for a Wastewater Infrastructure State Grant and the User Rate Calculator must be e-mailed to Brandy M. Piers, brandy.m.piers@maine.gov , by 5:00 p.m. February 7, 2020. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Brandy Piers at 287-6093 or John True at 287‑7808
In September 2019, Kathy Rodgers joined RCAP Solutions Inc. as Maine’s newest technical assistance provider. RCAP’s committed staff works hand in hand with community leaders and homeowners to incorporate the best tools and resources suited to protect public health and the environment while progressing towards financial sustainability and improved quality of life. Ms. Rodgers’ work in the water industry over the last fifteen years has cultivated a solid understanding of small community water and wastewater system challenges and needs.
The task of guiding a community project through numerous obstacles and opportunities is a technical assistance provider’s overarching challenge. Technical assistance providers use their unique skills and experience to pull a project team together, balance big-picture principles against the reality in detail, and constantly ensure that resources are working effectively towards project goals. Sharing the struggles that community leaders face to create vibrant, healthy places to live, play and work is a humbling experience and a great source of pride.
Kathy Rodgers earned a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Kathy holds water treatment and water distribution licenses in multiple states. She is experienced in root cause analysis and solution development, board trainings, funding applications, strategic planning and drinking water operations. To contact Kathy for assistance or to welcome her to Maine please direct messages to krodgers@rcapsolutions.org or 207-270-0145.
About RCAP Solutions:
Established in 1969, RCAP Solutions mission is to foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families and the communities in which they live. RCAP Solutions is a comprehensive nonprofit community development corporation that works with communities of all sizes to address a broad range of needs including community resources; real estate services; client resources, advocacy and housing programs; financial services and education and training. RCAP Solutions is part of a coordinated nationwide network with an integrated, multi-faceted approach to delivering high-quality services customized to each community's unique requirements. For more information, please visit www.rcapsolutions.org.
1. a.
2. b.
3. c.
4. d.
5. a.
6. b.
7. c.
8. c.
9. e.
10. a.
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