Service Connection
Volume 15, Issue 1
Spring 2007
Contents
Director's Corner
Waldoboro Water System Has Permanent Water Source
DWP Staff: Robin Frost
Total Coliform Bacteria Follow-Up Sampling Changes Start February 1
Instream Flow Standards: Chapter 587
Drinking Water Staff Merit Award
2006 Consumer Confidence Report
Rule Change in the Works
Requirements for ANSI/NSF Standards 60 and 61
Water Operator Board News
Drinking Water Tabletop Exercises
Important Dates for Schedule 3 and 4 Systems: LT2ESWTR and Stage 2 D/DBPR
Maine responded to the great typhoid epidemic of 1902-1904 by creating the Division of Sanitary Engineering within the State Bureau of Health at the Department of Health and Welfare to investigate waterborne disease outbreaks. Later, the Division issued rules relating to the sanitary conditions of hotels and food handlers (1918), plumbing (1926), occupational health (1925), and the registration of X-ray machines and radioactive materials (1961).
Nearly a century later, our name has changed, but our public health mission remains strong. The Division of Environmental Health at the Maine CDC in DHHS includes the Drinking Water Program, the Environmental and Occupational Health Program, the Health Inspection Program, the Wastewater Program and the Radiation Program.
Last summer, the discovery of lead contamination in drinking water at a small community public water system required an integrated public health response from the DWP and the Maine CDC. The backwash operation of an ion exchange system to treat for high levels of arsenic and uranium inadvertently caused extraordinarily high levels of lead in the system’s drinking water. The DWP issued a “Do Not Drink” Order to all residents and the owner supplied bottled water for drinking and cooking. The State Toxicologist determined, in consultation with our State Health Director, that the lead levels in water warranted blood lead level testing for all residents. Our Public Health Nurses assisted with collecting blood samples. The State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory helped us to expedite sample analyses.
Our public health professionals joined together to first protect the health of the residents and then pulled in outside experts to solve the treatment problem.
A few weeks ago, our epidemiologists helped to investigate rumors of public drinking water causing a skin rash afflicting school children in the County. (Thankfully, it was the cold weather, not the water.)
We don’t often think about public health or health generally, until something goes terribly wrong. It’s reassuring to know that Maine’s public health agency has deep roots and a long history of success.
Yours for Safe Drinking Water,
Nancy Beardsley
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Waldoboro Water Department Now Has Permanent Source of Water
Denise Douin , Field Inspector
Since their supply was only temporary, the Waldoboro Water Department (WWD) began to search for a permanent source of water in 2000. Prior to 1998, the WWD (then operating as Waldoboro Water Company) relied on an open quarry as their primary source of water. In May 1998, a new bedrock well at the Waldoboro Environmental Park (formerly Ocean Organics) was connected to the system and the quarry disconnected. A year later, the Town of Waldoboro bought the water system and began purchasing water from the Environmental Park well. This temporary connection prompted Waldoboro Water Department to begin improving the system. 
The search for a viable groundwater supply began in 1998 and included funding for land acquisition, groundwater exploration, engineering design, and finally project construction. The project included installation of about 11,500 linear feet of new or upgraded water mains, installation of three groundwater wells and construction of a new pump station. Treatment includes ion exchange for uranium removal and aeration for radon removal. The pump station was completed in March 2006.
The WWD has invested more than $5.2M in upgrades, including $2.8M provided through the Maine Drinking Water Program’s State Revolving Fund. The WWD now owns 51 acres in the wellhead protection area, a significant improvement from not owning the primary well. Prior to the upgrades, the system continually ran water through a 4" high density poly propylene pipe for 1½ miles above ground from the Environmental Park well to prevent freezing.
The Waldoboro Water Department is now saving over one million gallons per month in water usage. Increased security, emergency power, fewer water complaints, and a more consistent chlorine level throughout the distribution system are among the improvements WWD is seeing today.
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DWP Staff: Robin Frost
Since early Spring 2006, Robin has been Acting SDWIS (Safe Drinking Water Information System) Administrator for the Drinking Water Program. At the end of 2006, she applied for and was hired in a permanent capacity.
As SDWIS Administrator, Robin is responsible for managing the Drinking Water Program’s electronic data. Some of her responsibilities include troubleshooting data and software problems, training staff on software updates, running queries on the data when information is requested, working with the labs on data transfer issues, and uploading DWP data to EPA each quarter.
In addition, Robin will be performing some of the GIS tasks that she did while in the GIS Coordinator position with the DWP.
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Total Coliform Bacteria Follow-Up Sampling Changes Start February 1
Linda Robinson, Compliance Officer
Starting February 1, 2007, the Drinking Water Program changed the 5-the-following-month (5FM) sampling process to line up with Federal Drinking Water Regulations.
If a Public Water System (PWS) collects a compliance sample that is positive for total coliform, they must collect a set of repeat/recheck samples within 24 hours, or as soon as is reasonably possible. The PWS must also collect a minimum of five samples in the month immediately following the positive result.
If all five samples are negative for total coliform, and no MCL violation was issued (with the initial sample plus rechecks), then the PWS returns to the sampling schedule that was in place prior to the initial positive.
If one of the five samples is positive for total coliform, the PWS is required to collect:
- three recheck samples as soon as possible; and
- a minimum of five samples in the next month immediately following the positive result.
If more than one of the five samples is positive for total coliform, the PWS is:
- issued a Non-Acute MCL violation; and
- is required to collect a minimum of five samples in the month immediately following the violation month.
The PWS will continue to collect a minimum of five samples each consecutive month until all five samples for that month are negative for coliform bacteria. Then, the PWS returns to the sampling schedule that was in place prior to the initial positive.
A PWS on a quarterly schedule when the MCL is issued must follow the 5FM sampling process until they complete a set of five samples that are all negative results. Then, the PWS will return to their quarterly schedule. If the PWS is on a monthly schedule at the time the MCL is issued, the PWS will return to a monthly schedule once it has completed the 5FM sampling process. NOTE: This policy does not apply to an Acute MCL. Acute violations require a “Boil Water Order.”
Please contact the DWP Compliance and Enforcement Team with questions.
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Instream Flow Standards: Chapter 587
Andy Tolman, Water Resources Team
The Drinking Water Program and a number of surface water Public Water Systems have been working with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Maine Rural Water Association, Maine Water Utilities Association, and Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the effect of the Chapter 587 water flow and level standards as provisionally adopted by the Board of Environmental Protection. This effort is another step in the process that began in the late 1990’s when withdrawals for irrigation and Atlantic salmon conservation came into conflict in Washington County. In reaction to that issue and others, the Legislature asked State agencies to collect water use data.
The collected data showed that public water systems were the largest single user of water that did not return it to the same water body (paper mills and hydropower use much more water, and generally return it to the same river). As more data accumulated, we identified a number of coastal PWS’s who use small lakes and streams to supply seasonally large populations. Their withdrawals result in relatively large fluctuations in water levels and stream flows. These fluctuations, which have been occurring for up to 100 years, exceed the ‘normal’ changes in water level and flow that DEP has proposed in Chapter 587. We have been working with DEP for the last several years to balance the needs of PWS’s and their customers with various versions of the proposed rules.
The PUC report, now being written, will identify the potential costs of the proposed rule on the 50 community water systems that use surface water. Data submitted to the Commission suggest that the cost of complying with the regulations could range from very small amounts to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the interpretation of the rules. The DWP’s goal is for any water level rule to provide predictable results. This will allow PWS to serve their customers with clean and safe drinking water at a reasonable cost now and in the future, while maintaining environmental values. The PUC report and the Chapter 587 Rules will be before the Legislature this session.
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Help the Public Drinking Water Commission Recognize
a Deserving Drinking Water Program Staff Person
The Public Drinking Water Commission is accepting nominations* for the sixth annual Drinking Water Staff Merit Award. Nominees will have made a significant contribution to Drinking Water Program operations and exemplify the motto “Working Together for Safe Drinking Water.” All nominations are confidential and are destroyed after selection.
Past award recipients include: 2002, The Drinking Water Program Staff; 2003, Roger Crouse, Assistant Director; 2004, Lindy Moceus, Phase II/V Rule Coordinator; 2005, Cheryl Pratt, Administrative Support Staff; 2006, Bob Peterson, SDWIS Administrator.
Nomination deadline May 25, 2007
Submit to: Drinking Water Commission
Cheryl Pratt, Board Clerk
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
*Nancy Beardsley has elected to exclude herself from nomination due to her position on the DWC.
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2006 Consumer Confidence Report
Scott Whitney, Compliance Officer
Reminder: All community water systems must prepare and deliver a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to their customers by July 1, 2007. Community water systems are public water systems that serve at least 15 service connections or at least 25 year-round residents.
Community water systems must complete the following:
- Before July 1, 2007, send a copy of your CCR to the Drinking Water Program (DWP) distribute a copy of your CCR to all persons served by the water system and distribute a copy of your CCR to all persons served by the water system; and
- Before October 1, 2007, send a Certification Form to the DWP that the CCR has been distributed and the information is correct.
For a detailed description of the CCR Rule requirements, you can check out the DWP’s web site at www.medwp.com. If you need further assistance in preparing your CCR, contact Scott Whitney at (207) 287-8487. Thank you for complying with this regulation.
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Rule Change in the Works
Requirements for ANSI/NSF Standards 60 and 61
Roger Crouse, Assistant Director
How do you know that the chemical you are adding to your water system is free of unsafe levels of contaminants?
Will that new pump add any contaminants that endanger the health of your customers?
These and other questions prompted the development of chemical and materials standards for the drinking water industry. Several standards now exist to evaluate whether or not a chemical, material, coating or other product is acceptable for contact with (or treatment of) potable water. Two principal standards used in the drinking water industry are American National Standards Institute/ NSF International (ANSI/NSF) Standard 60 and Standard 61. Standard 60 evaluates the health effects of chemicals added to drinking water, and Standard 61 evaluates products, materials and coatings in contact with potable water.
Most Drinking Water Programs in the United States require that all public water systems only use chemicals, materials, products and coatings that meet ANSI/NSF tandards 60 or 61. For many years, the Maine Drinking Water Program has recommended that public water systems use products that meet the ANSI/NSF 60 and 61 Standards; however, in Summer 2007, the Drinking Water Program will revise the Rules Relating to Drinking Water in order to require public water systems to meet these particular standards.
A stakeholder meeting to develop the proposed language for the rule changes will be April 26, 2007. Please contact me at roger.crouse@maine.gov or 287-5684 if you are interested in attending the meeting or if you have comments or concerns.
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Water Operator Board News
Teresa Trott, Operator Licensing and Environmental Review Coordinator
Designated Operator Forms –must be signed by both the operator and the owner’s representative. The completed form fulfills the requirement to have licensed operators in charge of your system. A new form should be submitted with change of ownership, operator(s). This form is available in the Board section of the DWP website.
Calendar Deadlines
May 19 Applications postmarked for June 26 Exams in Augusta
Sept. 8 Applications postmarked for October 23 and 25 Exams in Augusta & Presque Isle
Help Create Water Operator Exams!
The Water Operator Board is a member of Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). The exams given in Maine are produced by ABC but the questions are written by water operators in participating states. These operators also determine the subjects covered by each class of exam. ABC validates the questions and develops the mix of questions based on surveys done in each state. If you want your name added to a list of specialists for ABC to contact about subject matter, job analyses or exam review questions, send your name and contact information to teresa.trott@maine.gov.
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Drinking Water Tabletop Exercises
Bill Johnson, Security Coordinator
The Drinking Water Program (DWP) has contracted with Woodard & Curran (W & C) for a number of tasks related to drinking water emergency response. The most recent task called for W & C to facilitate a number of tabletop exercises to test the DWP’s emergency response plan. An emergency scenario is revealed in steps, with participants explaining how they would respond to each unfolding step.
Exercises are planned from September 2006 through the end of April 2007. The sessions involve an emergency incident at a public water system requiring a response from the water system and outside agencies such as fire departments, police, and state and public health officials.
Lessons Learned
At the end of each exercise Marian Long offered observations and critiques of the exercise. Below are some of the findings.
• Water systems need to understand the incident command system (ICS) and the national incident management system (NIMS).
• Water systems should contact and coordinate with the Augusta DWP office during an emergency.
• Water systems need to identify and develop risk communication messages (e.g., media communications) to be ready for use during an emergency.
• Water systems need to identify procedures and resources for water sampling during emergencies involving water contamination.
• Water systems need to identify criteria for determining that the emergency is over.
• Water systems need procedures for issuing “Do Not Use” and “Do Not Drink” orders.
• Water systems need to take advantage of opportunities for mutual aid between systems.
• Water systems need to identify procedures for providing drinking water during extended system outages.
• Emergency Response Plans should be risk based.
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Important Dates for Schedule 3 and 4 Systems: LT2ESWTR and Stage 2 D/DBPR
Jennifer Hitchcock, Compliance Officer
The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) and the Stage 2 Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2) are extensions of earlier rules protecting consumers from microorganisms and disinfection byproducts in drinking water.
The DWP, along with EPA, began providing training for affected water systems on these new rules in 2006. The training will continue through the implementation of both rules.
All community (C) and non-transient, non-community (NTNC) public water systems that use a chemical disinfectant (such as chlorine or ozone) are affected by Stage 2. Also, any C or NTNC public water systems that purchase or use disinfected water must also follow the requirements. Community systems must comply with the Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) requirements of the Stage 2 rule by submitting either a 40/30 Certification (40/30), Very Small System (VSS) Waiver, Standard Monitoring Plan (SMP) or System Specific Study (SSS). The DWP will mail all affected Schedule 3 and 4 systems notices with their specific requirements.
Stage 2
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule |
| Surface Water, GUI, Groundwater |
Submit Initial Distribution System Evaluation Plan |
Begin Monitoring |
Complete Monitoring |
Submit IDSE Report |
| Schedule 3 (systems serving 10,000 to 49,999 people, or part of a combined distribution system) |
October 1, 2007 |
October 1, 2008 |
September 30, 2009 |
January 1, 2010 |
| Schedule 4 (systems serving <10,000 people) |
April 1, 2008 |
April 1, 2009 |
March 31, 2010 |
July 1, 2010 |
All surface water systems are required to conduct raw water quality monitoring as part of LT2 and may need treatment upgrades as a result of the testing. Look for information in the mail from the DWP with your system’s requirements. Please note, if your system purchases surface water as a consecutive system, LT2 does not apply.
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule |
| Surface Water and GUI only |
Submit Source Water Monitoring Plan |
Begin Source Water Monitoring (Crypto or E. coli) |
Complete Source Source Water Monitoring |
Begin Crypto Monitoring (if required) |
| Schedule 3 (systems serving 10,000 to 49,999 people, or part of a combined distribution system) |
January 1, 2008 |
April 8, 2008 |
March 31, 2010 |
N/A |
| Schedule 4 (systems serving <10,000 people) |
July 1, 2008 |
October 1, 2008 |
September 30, 2009 |
January 1, 2010 |
If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Hitchcock at (207) 287-3962 or jennifer.hitchcock@maine.gov, or your compliance officer at the DWP.
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