July 2020
DEP appreciates your service providing vital public functions during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessment centers offering the computer based testing (CBT) exams for wastewater operator certification were closed due to COVID-19. Presque Isle and Portland have opened, and the others are scheduled to open at different dates. If you are scheduled to take an exam, it is recommended to call the Customer Service number at (833) 256-1420 or check the website to verify the center’s status, https://www.psionline.com/openings. (Hint: Due to PSI’s high call volume, calling customer service before 8am or after 3pm may shorten your wait time to speak to a representative).
This website lists testing centers that are open: https://www.psionline.com/openings.
You can always contact Spring Connolly at 207-253-8020 for more information about scheduling a CBT exam or if you are having trouble getting through to PSI.
Continuing Education
DEP recognizes the challenges for certified operators to meet Continuing Education requirements when in-person training, classes and conferences have been cancelled or postponed. DEP encourages operators to pursue online and correspondence opportunities to meet Training Contact Hour (TCH) requirements to maintain their wastewater certification.
We recently emailed to certified operators a spreadsheet and list of approved virtual and correspondence training for wastewater TCHs. This information is posted on the DEP website, https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wwoperator/ and will be updated regularly. The list includes scheduled Webinars, on-demand training, and correspondence courses. Contact the training provider, using the links provided, for more information or to register. Some Webinars are free, and others are fee-based. Participants should request a Certificate of Completion to verify attendance.
DEP does not recommend any particular training, but is providing the listings of approved training opportunities as a service to help operators identify online training resources. If there are any questions about the attached lists, please contact Judy Bruenjes, 207-287-7806.
If you would like to attend a wastewater course or Webinar that is not listed on the spreadsheet, please complete and submit the Request for TCH form found on the DEP website.
Upcoming Opportunities
Marshwood Adult Education is offering a virtual 7-week Chemistry for College and Career Prep with Lab course beginning July 6, M-Th from 9:00 - 10:30 am. The course is designed to make learning chemistry easy and offers students individualized instruction, a variety of learning mediums, simplified concepts and even virtual labs, all in a remote setting. For more information, go to Marshwood Adult Ed.
Beginning this fall, Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) is partnering with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) to deliver both certificate and associate degree level Water Treatment Technology training on the South Portland campus. While state-of-the-art technology enables students to access lectures from anywhere, hands-on laboratory-based exercises, under the direction of a qualified faculty member, will be held on both campuses. Contact Patrick Wiley for more information.
1. Facultative bacteria require:
a. Nitrogen
b. Hydrogen
c. Oxygen
d. Either aerobic or anaerobic conditions
e. Cannot live with O2 present
2. ____________________ removes Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
a. Biological
b. Aeration
c. Denitrification
d. Detention
e. Sedimentation
3. Inorganic solids include:
a. Sand, Grit, & Minerals
b. Sand, Grit, & Organics
c. Oil & Grease from French fries
d. Organic material from Plants, Animals, or Humans
e. Both a & d
4. If the flow to a treatment plant is 21 MGD, what is the average flow in gallons per minute?
a. 1,458
b. 5,833
c. 8,750
d. 14,583
e. 87,500
All facilities that participate in the DMR-QA program should have received the announcement letter for Study 40. The dates for the study were adjusted to account for disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a reminder, the deadline for DMR-QA study 40 results is September 18, 2020. Please note that the due date for studies from some providers might be earlier than September 18 so be sure to pay attention to the dates for study being performed by your facility.
A copy of the announcement letter can be found here : https://www.epa.gov/compliance/2020-discharge-monitoring-report-quality-assurance-dmr-qa-study-40
If you have questions about the DMR-QA program please contact Brett Goodrich at 207-287-9034 or Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have worked hand in hand to ensure the American public has the information they need to stay informed with respect to using water resources. CDC recently posted a new coronavirus website for sanitation and wastewater workers. Additionally, EPA regularly updates its coronavirus website, which provides information on drinking water and wastewater. In addition to information for the general public, this website includes resources for state, local, and tribal agencies and intergovernmental associations. Having fully operational drinking water and wastewater services is critical during the COVID-19 national health emergency. EPA supports our nation's water and wastewater employees who help protect human health and the environment every single day.
1. d.
2. e.
3. a.
4. d. 21,000,000 gal per day/1440 min/day = 14,583 gpm
|
