Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008 - (Page 38)

discharge “blended” eff luent during heavy rains to prevent sanitary overf lows. There are a number of concerns, such as the requirement for a wastewater utility to predict weather events. Other concerns are directed at the utility being held accountable for unusual rain events, winter weather or hurricanes such as those hitting the Gulf Coast in 2005. The agency is expected to respond to public comments and comments received by the White House and then release the final policy this March. What’s on the EPA drawing board over the next few years? Chemical Security This is a big unknown, but the issue is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers and other regulatory agencies driving toward the potential elimination of gaseous chlorine. Not everyone is on board with the issue, and Rural Water is advocating that the selection of a primary disinfectant used by water or wastewater utilities be left up to individual communities. We have developed a draft model that is being circulated within the industr y for comment. Rural Water intends to encourage any directives by the federal government to adopt the program. The model enables communities to fully evaluate the risk of their selected disinfection method and assess the security measures around the use and storage of the disinfectant. The model was developed with input and cooperation from a wide variety of industry representatives. Radon The EPA has indicated that it plans to finalize the radon rule by May 2009. Very little has been taking place regarding this rule, and we are still uncertain if it will include a provision for an MCL (proposed as 300 ug/L) and an alternative maximum contaminant level (proposed at 4,000 ug/L). The EPA projections for finalizing this rule continue to slip. TCR and Distribution System Regulations The EPA intends to revise the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) to maintain or provide for greater human health protection than under the existing TCR while improving system efficiency. An advisory committee that Rural Water participates on is in the process of making recommendations to EPA for changing the rule. The advisory committee is also evaluating cross-connection control, backf low prevention requirements and other potential distribution system requirements. It appears that the advisory committee will make significant recommendations to revise the TCR (i.e., replacing total coliform tests that do not directly correlate to public health risks with indicator organisms such as e. coli, changing the public notification language and revising the rule for easier implementation). However, the committee appears to be moving toward not recommending any distribution system rule until firm scientific data support such an action. No final rule for revisions to the TCR or potential distribution system regulations are expected until October 2012. m Purely Regal. REGAL™ GAS CHLORINATORS: PURE WATER. PURE AND SIMPLE. For over 30 years REGAL has been the preferred choice for quality chlorinators ensuring that the water you drink and the products you eat are clean and safe. • Ultra safe, all-vacuum design • Easy to maintain and clean • Fewest working parts • Engineered for zero downtime, no corrosion • No wait – 48-hour delivery 1044 SE Dixie Cutoff Road, Stuart, FL 34994 USA Tel: 772-288-4854 • Fax: 772-287-3238 www.regalchlorinators.com • Email: regal@regalchlorinators.com 38 • First Quarter 361048_MicroComm.indd 1 2008 2/7/08 4:27:40 PM 363778_Chlorinators.indd 1 1/3/08 12:00:13 PM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008 Contents From the President Afterburn: Nexters' Impact in the Workplace Retirement Will Have to Wait From Sewage, Added Water for Drinking Rural Water and the Farm Bill Fiduciary Responsibility: It's All About Trust Water Industry Supports International Rural Water Association Regulatory Update The Rural Water Washington Rally in April Throwing My Loop A Precious Thing Called Water Index to Advertisers Advertisers.com From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008

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