June 2020 O&M Newsletter

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June 2020

In this issue:


THANKS


On behalf of the Department, I want to express our appreciation and say thank you to all the wastewater treatment professionals that have continued to keep Maine’s wastewater infrastructure functioning during these very trying times.  Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent wastewater facilities across the state implemented plans to deal with a variety of new challenges.  Thanks to your dedication and good work, operations have continued relatively smoothly throughout the state.  Please know that your DEP inspector will remain in close contact with you to offer whatever assistance we can provide.  Please do not hesitate to call your inspector with any problems or concerns.  We continue to be in regular communication with representatives from MeWEA, MRWA, MWUA, MEWARN, JETCC, the Maine Drinking Water Program, EPA, and other New England states to share information on a variety of COVID-19 issues and will continue to do so as long as necessary.  Information regarding COVID-19 is updated periodically on the Department’s web site at:  https://www.maine.gov/dep/coronavirus.html#water

Once again, thank you for your good work!

Sincerely,
Brian Kavanah, Director, Bureau of Water Quality

 


DMR-QA Study 40


The announcement letter for the 2020 DMR-QA Study 40 was sent to participants by email in May. A copy of Study 40 can be found at the EPA website using this link: DMR-QA Study 40. Please respond to Brett Goodrich with any questions.


Wastewater Operator Certification Exam


Assessment centers offering the computer-based testing (CBT) exams for wastewater operator certification are temporarily closed. Please contact Judy Bruenjes for more information.


Wastewater Operator Training


During the Covid pandemic, training providers and professional associations have temporarily stopped offering in-person classes and conferences, and are working to move their content to online platforms. DEP encourages operators to pursue online training opportunities where possible. A list of approved online providers can be found at this link: DEP Approved Online Training Resources.

DEP is currently working to provide certified operators with a schedule of approved online training opportunities. If there is a wastewater-related webinar you would like to attend and would like to request Training Contact Hours (TCH), please complete and submit the form located at this link: Training Contact Hour (TCH) Request Form.

Please contact Judy Bruenjes for more information.


Possible Infrastructure Stimulus Funding & the (CWNS)


As we are all aware, Congress continues to work on the Stimulus Package in response to the Corona virus pandemic.  The upcoming Phase 5 of the Package may contain a National Infrastructure Stimulus Funding.  At this time, we do not know what the package might  look like, however we would like to start collecting information on potential stimulus funded wastewater and stormwater projects.

To facilitate this process the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reaching out to all Maine municipal and quasi-municipal wastewater entities and stormwater groups to gather information on the state’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure via our 2020 Clean Watersheds “Needs Survey” (CWNS).

Please note that if federal funding becomes available for wastewater and/or stormwater projects through National Infrastructure Stimulus funding, the Department will only be accepting applications for stimulus funded projects that have been reported to us in response to the 2020 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey.

What we need from you now is to provide us with the wastewater and stormwater needs information that reflects the current situation in your system by completing the survey. The CWNS is located at https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wwtreatment/index.html. The Survey has detailed instructions on how to fill out the information on your facility, financial status, and wastewater needs. We encourage you to use any Asset Management Programs (if you have generated them previously) to assist you while evaluating your needs, and we stress that any needs you list in this survey should be consistent with such programs.

Completion of this survey is crucial because it allows the Department to provide the gathered wastewater and stormwater needs information to both the Executive and Legislative branches of state government, thus justifying funds for both the state match in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program and State bonds or sustainable funding mechanisms for grants.  In addition, it will also be the list of projects that the Department will use to accept potential stimulus projects from.

To ready the State for potential stimulus funding and to secure the needed funding for wastewater and storm water infrastructure, our goal is to have 100% participation from all publicly owned treatment works, satellite collection systems and storm water systems. To lend credibility to the survey, costs must be supported by acceptable documentation. A list of the acceptable documentation types is included in the attached Needs Information Instructions. Even if your system has no documented needs, we are requesting that you complete the Facility Information and User Rate Information portions of the survey.

Please submit your completed survey sheets electronically to brandy.m.piers@maine.gov by July 31, 2020. Electronic submission is preferred, but if it is not possible, please mail to the physical address specified in the General Survey Instructions. Should you have any questions as you fill out the survey please contact Brandy Piers at (207) 287-6093.

Please complete this survey and help us help you get potential stimulus money for your system!

 


New Water Treatment Technology Program at SMCC Starting Fall 2020


Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) and Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) are excited to announce a new partnership beginning this fall at SMCC in South Portland. 

As the demand for qualified water and wastewater professionals is rapidly expanding across the country, NMCC-SMCC is responding to this need by offering both a certificate program and associates degree in Water Treatment Technology. The programs will use state-of-the-art distance learning tools in combination with classroom and laboratory facilities established at both campuses. SMCC is anticipating a Fall 2020 start date for online learning.

The objective of the Water Treatment Technology program is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the scientific and engineering principles used to treat drinking water and wastewater. Students will gain “hands on” experience by operating laboratory scale treatment systems that reinforce concepts presented through classroom discussion. 

Graduates of the Water Treatment Technology program will find a range of employment opportunities throughout the water and wastewater industry, including work at treatment plants, commercial labs, and sales positions with companies that support these industries. 

More information about this exciting collaboration can be found on our website (https://www.nmcc.edu/academics/programs/academic-programs/water-treatment-technology/) or by contacting Patrick Wiley at SMCC (pwiley@smccme.edu) or Gilles St. Pierre at NMCC (ngstpier@nmcc.edu).

 


Water Environment Federation Releases 2 Supplemental Resources on COVID-19


(Reprinted from the Association of Clean Water Administrators newsletter)

This week, Water Environment Federation (WEF) released “Coronavirus and Water Systems” and “Residuals and Biosolids Issues Concerning COVID-19 Virus“. Both resources are intended to provide clarity related to potential concerns regarding wastewater management and the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as an overview of existing science and downloadable graphics. These resources supplement “The Water Professionals Guide to COVID-19” developed by the Waterborne Infectious Disease Outbreak Control (WIDOC) working group at WEF.

The publications provided several key takeaways: while research is ongoing, no link has been identified between wastewater or biosolids management and infection of COVID-19; nor has infective (i.e. fully intact and potentially infectious) virus in wastewater systems been discovered. Both publications recommend a precautionary approach be taken by wastewater professionals, including strict adherence to OSHA, state, and jurisdictional Personal Protective Equipment guidance.

Additional information can be found at https://www.wef.org/news-hub/current-priorities/coronavirus/


DEP Enforcement Update


Recently the Board of Environmental Protection approved an Administrative Consent Agreement (ACA) with a POTW for violations related to failing to retain records, failing to adhere to and document standard methods, and operations and maintenance (O&M) failures.  Corrective actions include fixing all failed equipment, hiring an outside consultant for training, drafting an O&M plan and lab manual, and a fine of $39,256.00.  The Department recommends that all POTWs review their monitoring and lab procedures with their staff, ensure their O&M manuals are up to date, and safeguard that all necessary equipment is operating correctly or has scheduled plans for replacement in order to maintain compliance with their MEPDES waste discharge license. 

The Department also finalized 5 ACAs in 2019, 2 with POTWs, and 3 with commercial/industrial facilities.  The violations included but were not limited to failing to notify the Department as required by the standard conditions, testing and reporting failures, excess inflow in and filtration, and significant unlicensed and untreated discharges to the water resources of the state.  The penalties ranged between $10,000 and $156,000. 

If you have any questions about these actions or about the Department’s compliance and enforcement policy, please contact Pam Parker at 207-485-3038.