MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Regulation of PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-Dioxane
• State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure
• Flood Safety Awareness
• EFC Eligibility Guidelines for Water Infrastructure Projects
• Annual Fix a Leak Week

Regulation of PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced the issuance of final water quality guidance values to regulate Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-D) in New York State waters. The finalized guidance values support the State's ongoing efforts to protect public health and the environment and prevent exposure to emerging contaminants through the protection of drinking water sources. Additionally, the new guidance values for PFOS and 1,4-Dioxane provide protection for aquatic life.

Division of Water Guidance Updates

DEC's Division of Water has issued three new/updated Technical and Operational Guidance Series (TOGS) documents related to the control of PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane that became effective March 15, 2023: 

• Addendum to “TOGS 1.1.1 (PDF): Ambient Water Quality Standards and Guidance Values and Groundwater Effluent Limitations” establishes water quality guidance values for  PFOA,  PFOS and 1,4-Dioxane.

• A revision of “TOGS 1.3.7 (PDF): Analytical Detectability and Quantitation Guidelines for Selected Environmental Parameters.” establishes how DEC selects analytical test methods for water quality monitoring and determines reporting limits for those methods. This TOGS provides guidance on how to select analytical test methods for monitoring PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane.

• A new “TOGS 1.3.13 (PDF): Industrial Permitting Strategy for Implementing Guidance Values for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane” establishes how the guidance values for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-Dioxane will be prioritized for select SPDES permits to maximize environmental benefits.

Find more information in the March 15th Environmental Notice Bulletin and on DEC's website. 

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure

Learn about funding opportunities for safe and clean water management, renewable energy, and other community investments from state and federal agency representatives, including DEC, at the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center's upcoming hybrid event on March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. In-person attendance is encouraged, but sessions will be live-streamed for hybrid viewing. Register to attend. 

Flood Safety Awareness

DEC encourages you to learn how to be prepared for the next flood event in your community. Check out the National Weather Service’s website for information on ways to stay safe during flood events. Find information about reducing flood risks on DEC's "Be Prepared for Floods" webpage.

Follow the National Weather Service for updates on local flood risk. Common terms and definitions:

• Flood Watch: Be Prepared – Current conditions are favorable for hazardous weather. It is possible for flooding to occur, although it is not guaranteed.
• Flood Advisory: Be Aware – A forecasted storm event may not be severe enough to issue a warning but there is a chance that flooding will occur, creating property or life-threatening conditions if caution is not taken.
• Flood Warning: Take Action – A hazardous weather event is imminent or currently occurring.
• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action – A flash flood event is imminent or currently occurring. Move to higher ground if you are in a flood prone area as flash floods demonstrate a rapid rise in water over low-lying areas.

Caution: Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult down and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.  

EFC Eligibility Guidelines for Water Infrastructure Projects 

The NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) has announced guidelines for public comment to implement funding under the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. These guidelines will be applied to financial assistance payments for municipal projects as authorized by the New York State Water Improvement Infrastructure Act of 2017 and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program.

Public comments on the guidelines will be accepted until Friday, April 14, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Find more information, including how and where to send comments in the March 15th Environmental Notice Bulletin. 

Annual Fix a Leak Week

Fix a Leak Week is March 20-26, 2023. As an EPA WaterSense partner, DEC encourages you to improve your home's water efficiency by finding and fixing leaks. The average household leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, and 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Visit DEC's Save Energy and Water webpage for more tips on how to save water at home.