Service Connection
Volume 16, Issue 4
Winter 2008/2009 
Contents
Geothermal Heating Systems
Director's Corner
Who's New at the Drinking Water Program
Record Retention
Progress on Integrating Drinking Water Protection
Into the State of Maine’s Vision
Limited Laboratory Certification
Operator Licensing Updates
New Sampling Procedure for Cyanide
Geothermal Heating Systems
David Braley, C.G., Senior Geologist
Geothermal heating systems use the constant temperature of the earth to either heat or cool buildings and appear to be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Public water systems, like homeowners and businesses, constantly look for ways to save money and lower impacts to the environment, and geothermal systems do both.
There are several types of geothermal systems. Open systems extract water from a well to send through a heat exchanger in a building. In the winter, groundwater is warmer than the air and can be used as a heat source. In the summer, groundwater is cooler than the air and can be used to take heat from a building and transfer it to the water. This water is then disposed of in a responsible way, which may be back into the well. Wells used in open systems may also be used as water supply sources, a common application in private homes.
Closed systems circulate fluids down into a borehole to be either heated or cooled before being sent to the heat exchanger. These fluids can include water, usually with some form of antifreeze, or actual refrigerant from the heat exchanger. Food grade antifreeze is generally required, and dangerous refrigerants are actively being phased out.
Geothermal wells must be registered with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection under the Federal Underground Injection Control Program. Discharge permits may also be required for systems that require “bleed” water to control temperature changes in the source well.
The Drinking Water Program (DWP) has discussed geothermal systems and the potential dual use of public water supply wells as heat sources and for drinking water. The DWP will not grant approval for public wells to be used in closed systems, or for the disposal of geothermal fluids, including water extracted from any well. Appropriate cross connection controls are required to protect public supply wells from contamination by failed geothermal systems.
DWP policy will allow approval of open systems that:
• do not dispose of water into the well;
• do not dispose of water into or onto the ground near a public supply well; and
• do not otherwise adversely impact the water supply.
The goal of this policy is to provide a balance between our desires to reduce the use of foreign oil and protect the environment, while insuring protection of our public water supplies. Remember, any proposed alteration of a PWS well requires DWP approval. Please contact the DWP if you are contemplating a geothermal system. We’ll work with you to make sure you stay in compliance as a public water system as you work to reduce your use of expensive heating oil.
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Director's Corner
Each day, Maine public water systems, from the largest municipal systems to very small trailer parks, schools and restaurants, offer a fundamental public health service by providing safe and reliable drinking water.
However, due to financial and resource limitations, operators and owners often find themselves in the precarious position of providing public health protection while still meeting budgets and deadlines.
Whether you serve tens of thousands of people or the minimum of 25, you likely have felt the pressure of protecting your customers’health while still providing your service at a reasonable rate.
The Drinking Water Program is here to help provide you the information and resources to help you perform this daily balancing act. The federal Environmental Protection Agency also has many resources to help your water system. Visit them at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/ for small system resource information.
If at any time you feel like your efforts are unbalanced, call us and we will help you through your situation. Because we are in contact with water systems across the State, we may have had experience with a situation similar to yours.
Yours for safe drinking water,
Roger
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Who’s New at the Drinking Water Program
Andy Begin
Andy joins the DWP as the Environmental Engineering Services Manager. His primary responsibilities include serving as team leader for the Information Management Team, oversight of the State Revolving Fund Program and Chief Engineer for the DWP.
Andy has over 11 years of consulting experience in the design and construction of drinking water and clean water infrastructure as well as GIS, Asset Management and computerized hydraulic modeling. He holds a professional engineering license and a Class II treatment operator license. He has served as a Program Committee member with the Maine Water Utilities Association, presented papers for New England Water Works Association and presentations for New Hampshire Water Works Association. He received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine.
Andy has presented papers and talks on: Slow Sand Treatment with Pre-Ozonation – NEWWA, A Phase Approach to GIS – NEWWA. Pilot Testing Ballasted Micro-Sand, NHWWA, Hydraulic Modeling/GIS – NHWWA.
You can contact Andy at 287-2647 or andrew.begin@maine.gov.
Sara Lippert
Sara received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine in 2003. Sara spent the past 4 years working in the Office of Innovation and Assistance at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. There, she provided technical assistance to participants in the Environmental Results Program and Governor’s Carbon Challenge Program. Sara has joined the Maine Drinking Water Program as the Capacity Development Coordinator and Security Coordinator.
You can contact Sara at 287-5678 or sara.m.lippert@maine.gov
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Record Retention
Jennifer Grant, Compliance Officer
We often get questions from public water systems regarding how long records (water test results, correspondence from the Drinking Water Program, etc.) should be kept. Below is a summary of the most common public water system records and how long the public water system is required by law to keep them. According to the Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water at 10-144 Chapter 231 Section 5:
Any owner or operator of a system shall retain on his premises, or at a convenient location near his premises, the records as indicated below. Such records mustbe made available to the public upon request.
• Bacteria: 5 years
• Chemical: 10 years
• Lead/Copper: 12 years
• Violations: 3 years
• Sanitary Survey: 10 years
• Variances and Exceptions: 5 years
• Daily Operational Records: 7 years
• Disinfectant Residual Records: 10 years
While conducting a sanitary survey, the Field Inspector may ask to see any or all of these records, so please be aware that these records need to be made available to our staff as well as the general public within a reasonable timeframe. Please contact the Drinking Water Program at (207) 287-2070 if you are unsure if this retention schedule applies to a specific record. When in doubt, retain it!
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Progress on Integrating Drinking Water Protection
Into the State of Maine’s Vision
Andy Tolman, C.G., Assistant Director
On October 29 and 30, the Drinking Water Program hosted a meeting to discuss the Trust for Public Land team’s draft recommendations for aligning state land use and water protection programs. We had a productive discussion with representatives of various state and federal agencies, municipal groups, public water systems, and technical assistance staff about how to best work together for safe drinking water.
Much of the conversation revolved around how to best develop local capacity to conserve land and manage land use in drinking water protection areas. The group focused on providing a consistent State message and information on the importance and value of safe and secure drinking water, and conducting effective outreach to groups and individuals engaged in local planning and implementation.
We also talked about the long-term need for resources to help public water systems and others conserve and manage land to provide clean and safe drinking water. Even with the current difficult budget situation, the consensus of the group was that Maine needs to pursue something like a “Water for Maine’s Future” Program.
We expect to receive a summary of the meeting from TPL soon, and will be circulating it to the group. If you are not on our list, and would like to provide us with input and assistance, please let me know. We still have to develop an action strategy, and implement the plan.
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Limited Laboratory Certification
Matt Sica, Laboratory Certification Officer
Environmental laboratories analyze our water and wastewater to determine compliance or for plant upgrade decision-making. These analyses affect human health, the environment, and facility finances. Therefore, laboratories are required to use standardized procedures and methodologies to make sure environmental data are reliable and accurate.
Reliable technical and scientific analyses are essential for making decisions that protect public health and community infrastructure assets. The Maine Environmental Laboratory Certification Program has developed procedures and requirements to make sure laboratories produce accurate and precise analytical results. Certification requires the laboratory to evaluate quality systems, staff, facilities, equipment, test methods, records and reports using objective and measurable criteria.
Having a certified laboratory on-site can offer flexibility you cannot receive from an off-site laboratory. Cost savings could come through, for example, not having to pay extra for off-hour samples to another laboratory during an emergency.
Limited Laboratory Certification is an option for drinking water and wastewater facilities when Comprehensive Laboratory Certification is not possible or not needed. Limited Laboratory Certification is available to drinking water and wastewater facilities requesting five or fewer analytes for a specific category of testing.
Limited Laboratory Certification has different management education requirements and a lower fee than Comprehensive Laboratory Certification. The laboratory director for a Limited Certification laboratory must possess at least an associate degree in a laboratory science and have two years related laboratory experience. The fee for a Limited Certification laboratory is just over half the fee of a Comprehensive Laboratory Certification.
The environmental laboratories’Limited Certification process typically includes four steps: application, inspection, award of certification, and proof of ongoing proficiency.
The steps to certification are:
1. Application
A laboratory submits an application, fees and documentation to the Maine Laboratory Certification Program for review. The Maine Laboratory Certification Program offers technical assistance and templates for the required certification documentation.
2. Inspection
The Maine Laboratory Certification Program staff conducts an on-site inspection of the facility to ensure compliance with the application materials.
3. Award of Certification
A certification is awarded to laboratories that successfully complete the application process. A certificate and associated analytes list officially documents the certification.
4. Ongoing Proficiency
Laboratories certified by the Department must demonstrate the ability to produce reliable environmental data. Laboratories must implement a quality system that identifies potential areas of noncompliance. If errors occur too frequently or remain undetected, the laboratory must modify its processes to prevent errors. The quality system must include proficiency testing. Laboratories obtain and analyze standardized samples that have values known only to the provider. The proficiency testing provider publishes the values of the sample after a specified date, allowing laboratories to review the accuracy of their processes.
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Operator Licensing News and Updates
Teresa Trott, Licensing Officer
New Licensing Database
The Board of Licensure is using a new database for operator licensing called the Safe Water Operator Certificate System, or SWOCS for short. You will notice improvements and updates to the licensing process.
Operator ID numbers – Each operator is given a four digit identification number, preceded by the letters OP (for example: OP0001). Your ID number will not change over time, and will be used to track training in the future. You will find your ID number on letters, certificates and licenses.
Licenses – each person may hold licenses in different disciplines – Very Small, Treatment and/or Distribution. In the database, each discipline is treated separately. Each license in a discipline is given a tracking number unique to that renewal period. The system may generate multiple letters for exams and renewals for each type of license. The Board combines all disciplines for TCH and fee purposes. License renewal fees remain at $60 per person. Training Contact Hour (TCH) requirements continue to be calculated based on the highest level license an individual holds.
Beginning in January 2009, training providers will submit attendance information for approved training to the Board. The Board will record attendance in SWOCS and at renewal time, this record will be forwarded to operators. Operators will review and submit any changes or additions. Hopefully this will simplify the renewal process and save some photocopying – Please retain certificates of attendance to assure you receive credit for all the training sessions you attend.
2009 Board of Licensure
Calendar Dates
Event |
Location |
Date |
Board meeting |
Topsham |
Feb 19 |
Exam applications |
|
postmarked Feb. 7 |
Operator Exams |
Augusta |
Mar 24 |
Operator Exams |
Bangor |
Mar 26 |
Exam applications |
|
postmarked May 2 |
Board meeting |
Augusta |
May 21 |
Operator Exams |
Augusta |
June 23 |
Operator Exams |
Portland |
June 25 |
Exam applications |
|
postmarked Sept 5 |
Board meeting |
TBA |
Sept |
Operator Exams |
Augusta |
Oct 27 |
Operator Exams |
Presque Isle |
Oct 29 |
Board meeting |
Topsham |
Nov 19 |
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New Sampling Procedure for Cyanide
The New England States Sample Collection & Preservation Guidance Manual For Drinking Water requires that cyanide samples be dechlorinated for chlorinated systems and brought to a pH of > 12 with sodium hydroxide at the time of sample collection.
The guide is available on-line at: http://www.epa.gov/region01/lab/qa/pdfs/2008-NE-States-Sample Collection-Manual.pdf
The ME DWP and USEPA Region 1 have agreed on the following procedure to make cyanide sampling safer for the operator.
Two bottles will be sent from the laboratory for each Cyanide sample of a chlorinated system.
Follow this procedure when collecting cyanide samples:
- Collect samples at the sample point preprinted on the sample form for systems using the State Lab.
- Remove any screen, hoses and aerators from end of faucet.
- Run COLD water for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Turn water down so it does not splash.
- Uncap bottle number 1 (ascorbic acid treated) and fill to shoulder with water.
- Pour the water from bottle number 1 into bottle number 2 as quickly as possible (sodium hydroxide treated). Screw the cap on bottle number 2 tightly. Package bottle number 2 and place in shipping container. (Bottle number 1 should be empty and discarded.)
- Place the frozen cool pack in shipping container just prior to shipping.
- Fill out the required information on sample form. SIGN THE FORM! The sample will not be processed unless the form has a signature!
- Return bottle with completed paperwork to lab.
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