APRIL 2025
The Department of Environmental Protection has submitted a Department bill for a $50,000,000 bond that would provide grants to publicly owned treatment works for infrastructure projects facilitating proper management and disposal of wastewater sludge or biosolids, such as dryer and digestor projects. The bill is LD 25, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects. The intent of the bill is to address current concerns with state sludge disposal capacity. The bill can be tracked here: https://legislature.maine.gov/
The Department has discussed this bill with MeWEA, MWUA, and MRWA and we expect these associations will be reaching out to their members and other partners to promote this important bill and garner support. LD 25 will be heard by the Appropriations and Legislative Affairs Committee: https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/AFA
Typically, there are many bond requests in each legislative session and only a few are approved by the legislature. Those that are approved by the legislature must then go to the voters for final approval. Voter approval for bonds is typically in November. If approved by the voters, the Department intends to solicit proposals for funding in early 2026 along with the annual CWSRF request for proposals.
Questions on this issue should be directed to Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality, brian.w.kavanah@maine.gov, 207-530-0293.
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On March 20, 2025, the Board of Environmental Protection voted to adopt the Department’s proposed rule Chapter 583: Nutrient Criteria for Class AA, A, B, and C Fresh Surface Waters. The rule has been in development for a long time and adoption represents a significant milestone in the Department’s efforts to protect surface waters from nutrient pollution. As soon as it is assigned an effective date by the Secretary of State the rule will be submitted to EPA for final approval as new water quality criteria.
Nutrient enrichment can cause negative environmental impacts to surface waters—such as algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen concentrations, excessive growths of filamentous algae or bacteria, and generation of cyanotoxins—or affect the resident biological community. The Department will use the methods described in Chapter 583 to make decisions about attainment of designated and existing uses of aquatic life support, habitat, and recreation in and on the water of surface waters established in the State’s water quality classification system (38 M.R.S. §§ 464-470). Chapter 583 also sets forth a framework to identify and establish site-specific phosphorus and other nutrient criteria through additional rulemaking.
For questions on the rule please contact Gregg Wood, gregg.wood@maine.gov, 207-287-7693.
As of the writing of this article, Maine DEP has not received an update from EPA on the schedule for the 2025 DMR-QA program. Based on previous years, we expect the opening date to be in May or June.
All facilities enrolled in the DMR-QA program will receive an email from EPA announcing the opening of the study, along with an announcement letter. Please review the letter carefully as it contains important forms that must be filled out along with due dates for results. Be sure to check your email spam folder periodically as the announcement email from EPA may end up there.
If your facility is enrolled in the DMR-QA program and does not receive the announcement letter by the end of May, contact the Maine DEP NetDMR coordinator to get a copy. of the announcement letter. You can also go to the EPA website, https://www.epa.gov/compliance/discharge-monitoring-report-quality-assurance-study-program to download the letter when available.
You do not need to wait until you receive the letter to order your DMR-QA supplies and begin analysis of the samples. Make sure that you choose DMR-QA and/or Water Pollution (WP) studies that are valid during the DMR-QA study period, typically January 1st through July or August, actual dates will be listed in the EPA announcement letter.
If you have any questions or need to update your contact information, please contact Brett Goodrich at Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov or call (207) 450-5590.
Today marks a significant milestone for Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District (KSTD), which serves the communities of Waterville, Fairfield, Benton, Oakland, Winslow, and Vassalboro. KSTD is now the fourteenth Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) permittee to complete their CSO abatement program and exit the CSO program, and the first to do so since 2014. Since approval of its first CSO Master Plan in May of 2001 KSTD, along with its member communities, have been diligently completing inflow and infiltration removal projects to remove excess water from their sewer systems. This work has resulted in a reduction of CSO discharges from an estimated 2.5 million gallons per year in 1987 to KSTD now having zero CSO discharges since their last discharge in 2018. KSTD has also reduced their number of CSO outfalls from five to zero with the conversion of their final two licensed CSO outfalls to licensed Emergency Overflows as part of their exit from the CSO program. This achievement calls attention to improving water quality, revitalized recreation, and business opportunities on the Kennebec River. The Department congratulates KSTD on this impressive accomplishment!
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There are many precautions an organization can take to reduce the cyber threat to critical systems components. However, cyber criminals have grown more sophisticated with their attacks, and breaches do occur. Indeed, many cybersecurity experts have noted that experiencing a compromise is not really a question of “if,” but more of a question of “when.”
Is your organization ready for a cyber-attack?
When a compromise occurs, the organizations that fare the best will be those that quickly detect the issue and have a plan in place to respond.
Incident response plans are a critical yet underutilized component of emergency preparedness and resilience. An effective cybersecurity emergency response/disaster recovery plan will:
- Limit damage,
- Increase the confidence of partners and customers, and
- Reduce recovery time and costs.
Planning for Destructive Malware in a Process Control System (PCS)
In the case of cyber criminals disrupting your Process Control System (PCS), such as SCADA, your organizations should be prepared to “island” their PCS environments by:
- Disconnecting from non-PCS networks,
- Go to “manual operations” if network connections are not possible, or malware renders control devices inoperable via automated means.
Incident response plans should include a list of critical IT vendors and their regular and after-hour contact information.
The organization’s response plan should be a product of collaboration between all departments that would be stakeholders in a cybersecurity incident. This will ensure a cooperative and unified response that leverages all an organization’s resources to the greatest extent possible. For enhanced responsive capability in the event of a cybersecurity incident, organizations should consider forming a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).
This task is not complete once the plan has been developed; it needs to be operationalized as well. It is critical that plans be routinely reviewed and updated to ensure they remain relevant and useable for when they are needed. Furthermore, to truly understand their cybersecurity incident response plan, organizations must practice them through regular exercises. This will ensure that all stakeholders understand the procedures that would be implemented in the event of a significant cyber disruption or breach, enabling a more effective and efficient response.
Some important questions to consider in your planning:
- How do you recognize that a breach has occurred?
- Who do you call?
- How soon do you call?
- Who are your IT folks?
- Who’s in charge of the incident? Who is making decisions during a crisis?
- What is the risk level?
- Are there steps to mitigate the damage?
- Is the incident being documented and reported to leadership and appropriate authorities?
Once the immediate threats are under control, there may be follow-up necessary. If personal records have been compromised, are you prepared to notify employees and/or customers? What damage was done to your system? What are your system restoration plans? Are you prepared to go to manual operations if network connections are not possible? What countermeasures do you take to harden the system against known vulnerabilities that may have been exploited?
To help water organizations prepare for cyber-attacks, EPA has prepared an Incident Action Checklist that can be found at this link: Water Sector Incident Action Checklist - Cybersecurity. In addition, EPA is developing an Incident Response Plan template that will be shared in future articles.
Wastewater Process Control and Troubleshooting – FREE!
Join the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) for free, in-person training in Hampden on April 1 for Wastewater Process Control and Troubleshooting. The class will be held at F.W. Webb, 20 Webb Drive, Hampden from 9 AM – noon. The class is approved by Maine DEP for 3 TCHs.
This course will help both new and seasoned operators better understand process control, what may work well for their plants and gain familiarity with common terminology in wastewater.
To register, go to Registration.
Join Us for the North Country Convention (NCC), April 2 & 3 in Presque Isle
The North Country Convention (NCC) is coming back to Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) in Presque Isle. NCC is a two-day educational event and trade show designed for wastewater and drinking water operators. It is held biennially in Presque Isle, Maine, and is organized by NEIWPCC-JETCC.
Click here to register online.
MRWA Apprenticeship & Utility Appreciation Day on April 30, 2025 in Richmond, Maine
MRWA is excited to invite apprentices, utility professionals, and industry experts to a day filled with hands-on learning, networking, and appreciation for the hard work that keeps Maine’s water flowing!
Activities include: Morning Field Trip for Apprentices – Gardiner Water District. Tour the Gardiner Plant and join a presentation on Instrument Troubleshooting, Tips & Tricks – Led by Eric Nystrom
Complimentary Lunch at Noon – MRWA Headquarters - Connect with fellow professionals, meet the MRWA Board and operators from around the State, check out the latest water utility technology and tools in action!
The afternoon session will feature two expert-led classes to choose from (1 TCH each):
- Leak & Line Detection – Pete Gautreau & Andy Gilson, and
- GPS & Its Use in Water Utilities – Jeff Warden & Kate Warner
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the professionals who keep our communities running. Spaces are limited, get your Credits while they last!!!
Register Today! Visit https://www.mainerwa.org/events/ for more details.
NEWEA Spring Meeting May 11-14, 2025 in Portland
This year’s NEWEA Spring Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. This three-day annual technical meeting for water quality professionals will feature:
- Networking with colleagues
- Learning the latest trends in technical sessions and visiting the exhibition hall
- Earn Training Contact Hours (TCHs)
Join 300 engineers, consultants, scientists, operators, and students for technical sessions, exhibit displays, networking opportunities, Operations Challenge and more.
Go to this link to register: NEWEA Spring Meeting - NEWEA Spring Meeting.
Hands-on Manhole Repair
MWUA is presenting a Hands-on Manhole Repair class at three locations in May:
- May 15, 2025: Brunswick & Topsham Water District, 266 River Rd, Topsham
- May 22, 2025: Bangor Water District, 614 State St, Bangor
- May 29, 2025: Houlton Water Company, 21 Bangor St., Houlton
The course will focus on the leading causes of inflow and infiltration (I&I) in wastewater systems (primarily manholes and vaults), emphasizing the role of advanced sealing technologies in creating watertight manhole structures, including manhole chimneys, barrel joints, and frames and covers, with insights into approaches for addressing problems from both the inside and outside of the manhole structure.
The course is approved for 4 wastewater TCHs. Register at MWUA’s website or by call us at 207-623-9511.
Hands-on Lab Training for Water and Wastewater Operators
Join MWUA and Phyllis Rand for this Hands-on lab training taught at three locations throughout Maine!
This class will provide water and wastewater operators with hands-on experience performing certain drinking water and wastewater compliance tests/calculations and basic laboratory safety training. Compliance tests include BOD5, Solids, pH, Total Residual Chlorine, Free Chlorine, E. coli (IDEXX), Total and Fecal Coliforms (IDEXX), Fluoride, Settleable Solids and Quality Control for Lab Analyses and Analytical Equipment. Proper sampling procedures are included with this training. Lab Safety Training will include Chemical Hygiene, Electrical Safety in the Lab, Autoclave and Fume Hood Safety, Safe Storage of Combustibles and Lab Safety Best Practices.
Locations:
- June 3, 2025: Southern Maine
- June 4, 2025: Greater Augusta Utility District’s Treatment Plant, 33 Jackson St, Augusta
- June 5, 2025: Presque Isle Utilities District, 870 Skyway St, Presque Isle
The class is approved for 6 wastewater TCHs. Register at MWUA’s website or by call us at 207-623-9511. Register early as these classes are limited to 20 attendees.
Save the Date for Lagoon Day!
MRWA is planning Lagoon Day for early June. The exact time and location are being finalized.
Lagoon Day offers a day of tours, training, and networking for lagoon operators to come together and share their experiences, successes and issues. Keep an eye on MRWA’s Events page for further details, Events - Maine Rural Water Association.
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Upcoming EPA Cybersecurity Training – Free!
Join EPA and cybersecurity experts from CISA for these free online webinars.
- Cybersecurity Refresher, 5/28/25 1-2 PM, Cybersecurity Refresher | US EPA.
- Cybersecurity 102, May 29, 2025, 1-2:30 PM, Cybersecurity 102 | US EPA.
- Cybersecurity 103, June 10, 2025, 1-2:30 PM, Cybersecurity 103 | US EPA
- Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT), June 11, 2025, 1-3:30 PM, Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) | US EPA.
Attendees are eligible for TCHs by getting a Certificate of Completion and sending to Aiden Aubrey, Aiden amabey@neiwpcc.org.
After 15 years of dedicated service working with Maine’s Water & Wastewater Operators, Spring Conolly is retiring!
Spring is a transplant from Utah and has called Maine home for over 35 years. She has worked for NEIWPCC since 2009 administering Maine DEP’s wastewater certification program. Spring has helped hundreds of operators sign up for exams, record their TCHs, and renew their license. Spring has also been fundamental in JETCC’s training program that serves both water & wastewater operators, as well as the non-point source erosion control training program. Spring is always helpful, kind, and enthusiastic. Her creativity and attention to detail has benefited these programs and all operators throughout the state.
Spring Is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, daughters, and two dogs on Little Sebago Lake and maybe trying her hand at gardening.
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On a positive note, we would like to welcome Aiden Mabey to the water/wastewater family who will be the new Wastewater Operator Certification Administrator, as well as assuming other NEIWPCC duties.
Aidan Mabey (she/her) just moved to Maine from Austin, Texas but is no stranger to the Northeast having grown up in the Hudson River Valley in NY. She has a background in freshwater ecology research and education. She is new to the world of wastewater but is really looking forward to getting started!
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1. Most activated sludge microorganisms do well within a pH range of
A. 8-10.
B. 2-12.
C. 4-10.
D. 6-8.
2. What is the best dissolved oxygen residual for an aeration basin?
A. 0-1 mg/L
B. 1-3 mg/L
C. It depends on the F/M ratio
D. as high a possible
E. as low as possible without losing mixing
3. Ciliates are important indicator organisms in activated sludge operations. This is because they
A. are associated with flocculent biomass and good treatment.
B. consume most of the BOD load.
C. make sludge settle rapidly in the secondary clarifier.
D. indicate the sludge is very young and dispersed.
4. If a clarifier is 22 ft 3 inches long and 7 ft 7 inches wide, what is the surface area in square feet (sq. ft.)?
A. 44.6
B. 60.4
C. 168.7
D. 171.71
5. If a tank has a diameter of 25 feet, what is the surface area in square feet (sq. ft.)?
A. 491
B. 625
C. 50
D. 78.5
6. If a tank is 10 ft. long, 5 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep, what is the volume in gallons?
A. 50
B. 250
C. 374
D. 1870
Answers
1. D. 6-8.
2. B. 1-3 mg/L.
3. A. Associated with flocculent biomass and good treatment.
4. C. 168.7 sq. ft.
22 ft 3 inches = 22.25 ft.
7 ft 7 inches = 7.58 ft.
Surface Area = Length, ft X Width, ft. = 22.25 X 7.58 =168.7 sq. ft.
5. A. 491 sq. ft.
SA = 0.785 X D X D=0.785 X 25 ft. X 25 ft. = 491. sq. ft.
6. D. 1870 gal. 10 ft. X 5 ft. X 5 ft. X 7.48 gal/cu.ft. = 1870 gal.
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