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Anatomy of a boil order {8/18/2010}
It’s rare, but it happens to every system. A pipe fails. A spill occurs. A well breaks down. Something occurs that leads to potential water contamination and a need for a boil order. How long do you have to put a particular notice out? Some require as little as 24 hours, others as long as 30 days. What information is needed in each order to comply with EPA regulations? What is the best way to distribute your boil order? In this edition of eBulletin, we’ll outline what you need to include in your notifications and when they need to go to customers. We’ll also provide links to some examples online and a checklist to help you the next time a boil order is needed for your community.
Over and Out: Using Amateur Radio in Emergencies {7/28/2010}
A hurricane rips through your community, an earthquake crumbles buildings, or a tornado tears through your town. In the chaos that follows any of these scenarios, the first thing you will probably do is reach for your cell phone — or go to your landline — to start communicating about the damage, begin the recovery effort, and restore water service if it's been affected. But what if a disaster cut off all of your normal means of communications? If cell phone signals and phone wires are down and even the roads are blocked, preventing you from reaching people outside your community, what would you do to communicate? This edition of eBulletin gives you an alternative way to communicate in emergencies.
Getting in shape for emergencies {7/7/2010}
Hurricane season is upon us. This and other weather and events throughout the year that can cause damage and disruptions are good reminders to think about overall emergency preparedness for your utility. The Environmental Protection Agency has its new Emergency Response Tabletop Exercises for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems to help you think and prepare in an organized way. We'll discuss these exercises in this edition of eBulletin.
Strategizing with the EPA {6/16/2010}
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency thinks it’s time for a new strategy, and she wants your help in creating it.
The EPA is planning to change the way it handles public health protection for drinking water. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson outlined the general ideas behind the new strategy in a speech she gave March 22. She also encouraged input from those who would be affected by the strategy, including the water systems that would carry out any new rules or regulations. So what does this new strategy mean for your water system? How can you take part in molding the EPA’s ideas? In this edition of eBulletin, we’ll provide a general overview of the new ideas for protecting public drinking water, and we’ll let you know what you can do to throw in your two cents.
Ground Water Rule revisited {5/26/2010}
June 1 marks six full months since the Ground Water Rule took effect. Water systems faced extensive water well monitoring if contamination of their water source occurred. Some system operators were concerned about the changes. Would they add costs? Would they be time consuming? Could the EPA assist them when needed? In this edition of eBulletin, we'll revisit the rule and let the EPA explain just what water systems are required to do. We’ll check back an operator of multiple water systems to see how easy it’s been to integrate the rule and we’ll offer suggestions on where to get help if needed.
Portable testing kits...good solution? {5/5/2010}
In nearly every case, being a small community means having a small budget. This means funds are tight for nearly every aspect of a utility’s operation, including daily operations and contingency plans. So when it comes to plans and equipment for an emergency, utilities will probably try to find the lowest-cost solution available.In theory, small detection kits and devices can quickly tell first responders what potentially dangerous substances they are dealing with. But utilities that are considering purchasing or using one should know that the promises made by manufacturers and the results that are relied upon by responders are both full of limitations. We'll explain in this week's eBulletin.
Building consumer confidence {4/14/2010}
The idea behind Consumer Confidence Reports, or CCRs, is to help your customers understand what you’re doing to keep their drinking water safe and available. It’s easy enough to just slap raw data onto a sheet, but is that really beneficial to you or your customers?
In this edition of eBulletin, we’ll outline exactly what you need in the reports and when they should be sent out and filed. We’ll also provide a few references to help you write your CCRs correction, plus we’ll offer a few tips on how to write your CCR so that your consumers not only read them, but understand them as well.
Designing a Project, Part 2 {3/24/2010}
As the design progresses, the owner’s responsibilities continue.
Often times, the project will involve land acquisition by the owner for infrastructure. For most water and sewer projects, land acquisition is considered an “involuntary acquisition” even if you have a willing seller, because local governments have the power of eminent domain, which allows you to take the property if necessary. This edition of eBulletin concludes the discussion of project design by Great Lakes RCAP, the regional affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
Designing a Project, Part 1 {3/3/2010}
Design is one of the three major phases involved in project development. Project design follows the planning phase and is implemented before the construction phase. A water or wastewater project is a big undertaking for communities. It is critical that the community continues to be aware of its responsibilities throughout the entire project. Great Lakes RCAP , the Great Lakes region's affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, provides part one of a guide on designing a project in this special edition of eBulletin.
How to Take a Water Sample {2/17/2010}
The new Groundwater Rule means proper water sampling is more vital than ever. Accidental contamination can lead to triggered monitoring, which can prove costly to small systems. What's the best way to take proper samples? Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) Inc., the midwestern affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, explains the best method in this special edition of eBulletin.
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