NOVEMBER 2026
PL 2025, Ch. 172, An Act to Protect Groundwater and Surface Waters from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Landfill Leachate, requires municipal and industrial dischargers that are known to accept solid waste landfill leachate to report to the Department on the “origin, volume and final disposition of leachate” of the leachate accepted. The 2026 annual reports are due on January 31, 2027.
To facilitate reporting, the Department created a fillable reporting form. If you have questions on whether the rule applies to your facility, or need assistance completing the form, please contact Brett at 207-450-5590, email Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov.
|
One of the foundations of the Clean Water Act and Maine law is honest and accurate self-reporting of effluent data by licensed dischargers and their professional certified operators. Impeccable operator ethics ensure that treatment plants operate in accordance with laws, rules and permits; plant workers are safe; and our natural resources and public health are protected. We all rely on YOU to be the standard bearers for the industry.
All Operators in Responsible Charge (ORCs) who submit discharge related paperwork like applications, and DMRs have seen the following certification language many times.
“I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.” 06-096 CMR 521(5)(d)
Have you really considered what that means? In a nutshell, it means if you are the ORC, YOU are certifying that the information in the application or report accurately and truthfully represents the facts. In the case of the DMR, it means that those values accurately represent the effluent going out the outfall. If staff did not follow the method, or if the lab equipment was faulty, or if there were math errors, the person signing the form is ultimately responsible. If an operator signs the certification and submits data that they know was not performed in accordance with the method, or is inaccurate for other reasons, there can be very serious repercussions.
The DEP wants to take this opportunity to commend all the operators who routinely maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Your daily hard work protects Maine’s public health and water quality. The DEP and people of Maine thank you.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your facility inspector, they are a valuable resource.
On September 30, 2026 Chapter 579: Classification Attainment Evaluation Using Biological Criteria for Rivers and Streams was re-posted for public comment with two new definitions added to the proposed amendment. There are no other changes to the proposed amendment which was initially posted on August 5, 2026. Written comments may be submitted until November 2, 2026. The amendment will add new methods and criteria to assess the health of aquatic life in more fresh water bodies. This will help to better understand and protect our rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands. To see a copy of the proposed rule see the Department’s rulemaking web page for Chapter 579:Classification Attainment Evaluation Using Biological Criteria for Fresh Surface Water.
If you want to learn more about DEP rulemaking, you can reach out to Matt Hight by email at matt.hight@maine.gov or by calling 207-719-0703. To keep informed about the rulemaking process you may sign up for email notices at the DEP Rulemaking Subscriber web page or visit the Department’s rulemaking page at https://www.maine.gov/dep/rules/.
DMR-QA Study 46 opened on September 22, 2026 and address verification responses were due on October 13.
The DMR-QA packet can be downloaded by clicking this link:
Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance Study 46 (2026)
What do I need to do?
- Order your PT samples from an Accredited Proficiency Testing Provider listed on Page 9 of the announcement. Testing is required for all samples analyzed at your in-house lab for permit compliance reporting.
- Report your results to the DMR-QA PT provider by December 4, 2026. If you participated in a WP study, you must meet the WP study and the DMR-QA deadlines. So be sure to pay attention to the WP study open/close dates.
- The NPDES Permittee Data Report Form (found on page 13 of the study packet) along with a copy of the graded test results and laboratory checklists are due to the State DMR-QA Coordinator (A.Goodrich@maine.gov) by January 29, 2027.
- Refer to page 1 for Important Dates to Remember.
If Enterococci Bacteria (Entero) testing is currently required in your MEPDES permit and you perform in-house bacteriological testing, you will be required to perform Proficiency Testing for Enterococci bacteria using a blind Water Pollution (WP) Study provided by an Accredited PT Provider. Make sure a copy of the WP test results are sent to Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov.
If your in-house lab happens to receive a “Not-Acceptable” score for one or more parameters, you must complete a corrective action and perform retests for all parameters with Not Acceptable results. A copy of the corrective action report and retest results must be sent to the State DMR-QA coordinator by March 12, 2027.
If you have questions about the DMR-QA program, please contact Brett Goodrich at 207-450-5590 or Brett.A.Goodrich@maine.gov.
Remote access has become part of normal operations for water & wastewater plants. The ability to remotely connect to a network adds a great deal of convenience for operators, managers, systems administrators, and vendors. However, it also provides an opportunity for threat actors to infiltrate the network.
Methods of remotely connecting securely should be implemented to minimize risk. Implementing a secure remote access architecture is a must in modern-day industrial operations. Methods include:
- Firewalls - a network security system that monitors, filters, and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules, acting as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks like the internet
- DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) - a buffered subnetwork that sits between a trusted internal local area network (LAN) and an untrusted external network like the internet. DMZs house public-facing services so they remain reachable from the outside without exposing the private core network.
- Jump servers - Instead of connecting directly to a sensitive internal server or database from an external or less-trusted network, trusted users log into the jump server first, and then "jump" to the target system.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) - a cybersecurity technology that creates an encrypted, private "tunnel" between your device and the internet, hiding your real IP address and protecting your data from eavesdroppers
- Secure Shell (SSH) – allows users to securely access, manage, and execute commands on a remote computer over an unsecured network.
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA) - a security process that requires users to provide two or more distinct forms of verification to prove their identity before gaining access to an account, device, or network.
Remote access can further be restricted with access control lists that only allow access from specific IP addresses and/or geographic locations. It is always good practice to implement monitoring and auditing of remote access sessions.
For more information about controlling/securing remote access in the water/wastewater industry, go to CISA.gov.
For 5 to 6 months of the year, Maine operators face an environment of cold, snow and ice at their wastewater treatment facilities. These conditions present enormous challenges that are rarely encountered in warmer climes.
Very little specific help has been published for wastewater operations in cold weather climates. Maine operators have faced and overcome a wide variety of problems over the years and have developed innovative solutions. Operators need to be creative and plan ahead. Here are a few “tricks of the trade” gained through operator experiences.
Planning for low temperatures includes insulating and protecting critical water lines (chemical feed, samplers, etc.), assuring heating systems are in place and operational, and winterizing exposed mechanical systems. Operators should conduct as much exterior maintenance as possible during late fall prior to the onset of winter. Tasks include:
- Clean up - pick up hoses, extension cords, trash, tools and store materials undercover.
- Mark low structures like culverts, curbs, driveway edges, lagoon liner edges, hatches and manholes that could be damaged by plows and loaders. Grade stakes work well for this.
- Pre-locate critical access points.
- Make sure stored equipment (valves, pumps, pipes) are completely drained or winterized with antifreeze to assure functionality when needed.
If you didn’t know this already, water freezes! This will affect the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes and mechanical systems, as well as presenting hazards to workers, including falling ice and slippery walkways. Expansion during ice formation can damage concrete and masonry, and burst pipes.
Condensation can also be a big problem in winter, causing ice-up on doors and windows which can lead to many sprung hinges when these are forced open or closed. Make sure to insulate and or ventilate areas with condensation problems.
Next month: planning ahead for snow removal.
|
Building Resiliency in Maine: Manual Operations Exercises & Workshops – FREE!
Is your plant prepared for an emergency situation? Join MWUA, Tom’s Water Solutions and the Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP) for a three-part workshop focused on preparing to run your plant “manually” in the case of no internet, no SCADA – all manual operations. The second live webinars will be held on November 10.
To register, go to: Building Resiliency in Maine: Manual Operations Exercises & Workshops - MWUA. You don’t need to be a MWUA member and can sign-in and register as “Guest”.
Management Candidate School (MCS)
There are still a few spaces left for JETCC’s Management Candidate School (MCS)! But don’t wait, classes begin November 4. Go to Maine’s Management Candidate School • NEIWPCC for more information.
MRWA’s ASCEND Leadership Academy - Practical Leadership for Maine's Water and Wastewater Professionals
Beginning November 2026 and running through June 2027, MRWA, in association with Career Management Associates, will hold nine monthly classroom sessions at the MRWA office in Richmond to teach management skills to water and wastewater professionals. The aim is to develop the practical leadership, communication, supervisory, organizational, human resources, and financial skills needed to lead water and wastewater utilities.
The academy is designed for technically capable operators who are moving into leadership or seeking to strengthen their effectiveness as supervisors and managers.
Go to Registration for more details.
JETCC Offers Exciting Fall Lineup
Join Maine’s JETCC for two exciting upcoming classes.
- In-person BOD class taught by Phyllis Arnold Rand of Compass Rose Training Solutions on November 10th at LACWA. Click to Here to register.
- Grade 3-5 Exam Prep class taught by Patrick Wiley on December 15 – 17, 2026, in-person at SMCC in South Portland with simulcast in Bangor and Presque Isle. Go to JETCC Training & Events • NEIWPCC to register.
MRWA’s 46th Annual Conference and Tradeshow
Mark your calendars for MRWA’s 46th Annual Conference and Tradeshow December 8 – 10 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor!
More information can be found Here.
NEWEA’s Premier Event
The NEWEA Annual Conference and Exhibit is coming up on January 24-27, 2027 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA.
Attracting over 2,800 engineers, consultants, scientists, operators, and students, the conference features a wide range of technical sessions and more than 200 exhibitor displays. It offers a valuable forum for sharing ideas, exploring state-of-the-art concepts in wastewater treatment, and building lasting professional connections.
Go to Annual Conference & Exhibit - NEWEA - New England Water Environment Association for details.
Save the Date MWUA's 101st Annual Tradeshow & Conference
Mark your calendars and save the date for MWUA 101st Annual Tradeshow & Conference on February 3 – 4, 2027 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Please consider submitting an abstract for a one-hour presentation by going to Call for Abstracts | Maine Water Utilities Association Annual Conference or emailing program@mwua.org.
1. The daily flow to a treatment plant is 6.463 MGD. Convert the cumulative flow to instantaneous flow in cubic feet per second (cfs).
a. 1.34 cfs
b. 6.46 cfs
c. 10 cfs
d. 7.48 cfs
2. Water flows through a grit channel at a flow of 5 cfs and a velocity of 1 ft/sec. If the channel is 4 ft wide, what is the depth of the channel?
a. 5 ft
b. 4 ft
c. 1.25 ft
d. 0.25 ft
3. Which of the following must be tested FIRST before an employee enters a confined space?
a. Oxygen content
b. Flammable gases and vapors
c. Potential toxic air contaminants
d. PPE
4. Atmospheres that contain a flammable component above what percent of its Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) are considered hazardous for confined space entry?
a. 10 percent
b. 7.5 percent
c. 5 percent
d. 2.5 percent
5. What is the name of one chemical that can be added to a bacteriological sample to remove residual chlorine from the sample?
a. Sodium hydroxide
b. Sodium thiosulfate
c. Sodium chloride
d. Sodium hexametaphosphate
Answers
1. c. 10 cfs.
First convert MGD to cubic feet/day: 6,463,000 gal/day / 7.48 gal/cf = 864,037 cf/day.
Next, convert from days to seconds: a day = 1440 minutes and 60 sec/min:
864,037 cf/day divided by 1440 min/day divided by 60 seconds per minute = 10 cfs.
2. c. 1.25 ft.
Area = Flow/Velocity:
Area = 5 cfs / 1 fps = 5 square feet (sf) = equals the cross sectional area of the channel.
The cross sectional area of the channel, Area = Width X Depth.
Rearrange to solve for Depth = Area/Width = 5 sf / 4 ft = 1.25 feet deep.
3. a. Oxygen content
4. a. 10 percent
5. b. Sodium thiosulfate
|
