Conference of Environmental Health Director s Meeting

Transcription

1 Conference of Environmental Health Director s Meeting Bureau of Water Supply Protection Program Updates May 10, 2016 Blue Mountain Lake, NY Roger C. Sokol, Ph.D. Director

2 2 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Recent events in Flint Michigan have put a renewed focus on the safety of our drinking water supplies relative to lead contamination

3 3 Lead and Copper Rule Oversight As a result enhanced oversight is expected by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Local Health Departments (LHDs), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). LCR is a NYSDOH field focus for EPA has started conducting LCR audits at Public Water Systems (PWSs) that had action level exceedances. Audits started at the end of April 2016.

4 4 Lead and Copper Rule Oversight EPA is currently conducting LCR audits at Local Health Departments. They are visiting Westchester, Dutchess and Orange County Health Departments this week.

5 5 Lead and Copper Rule As a reminder, the LHD should review the following key provisions of the LCR: Sampling plan and sampling. Ensure that the correct number of samples are being collected, the sample site locations are correct, and the sampling schedule reflects the most current lead and copper results (standard or reduced monitoring). During the sanitary survey, ensure that the water system is following proper lead and copper sampling protocol The 90 th percentile value. Ensure the 90 th percentile value is calculated properly; SDWIS Quality Check. Review the LCR quality checks in the SDWIS add-ons. (i.e. missing 90 th percentile values, elevated 90 th percentile values, samples not collected between 6/1 and 9/30 for reduced monitoring) Action Level Exceedance (ALE). If there was an ALE, were the appropriate follow-up steps performed? (i.e. public education, corrosion control evaluation, source monitoring, Water Quality Parameter (WQP) monitoring, return to standard monitoring) Change in Source or Treatment. Was there a change in the source or treatment for the PWS? If so, did the system obtain approval before making the change? Does the change warrant a return to standard monitoring due to potential changes in water quality? Enforcement. Ensure all violations are accurately recorded in SDWIS and follow the enforcement policies outlined in the Environmental Health Manual.

6 6 Lead and Copper Rule In an effort to increase transparency and consumer confidence PWSs are encouraged to: post available materials inventory on the PWSs public website. post LCR compliance sampling results on public website.

7 Lead and Copper Rule PWS Notification to Consumers 7 Encourage PWSs to: Ensure residents receive lead sampling results from their homes in a timely manner. Provide public education materials in an expedited manner when there is an action level exceedance.

8 8 EPA Guidance Lead and Copper Rule EPA recently released their Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations for Primacy Agencies and Public Water Systems Available at:

9 9 Lead in School Drinking Water Schools on their own water supply must comply with the LCR Intermittent water use patterns at schools may increase likelihood of elevated Lead concentrations EPA developed the voluntary 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools o Guidance to assist schools with implementing a program for reducing lead in drinking water o Can be integrated into a school s overall plan for reducing environmental threats

10 10 3T s Program Guidance for school officials responsible for the maintenance and/or safety of school facilities 3T s stand for: o Training o Testing o Telling

11 11 3T s Program Training o Informing school administrators and custodians about health effects and sources of lead o Planning a program and developing partnerships Testing o Assessing facility plumbing o Sampling and interpreting results o Developing a remedial strategy Telling o Sharing information with parents and staff

12 12 Lead Monitoring Summary Facility Type Regulation or Guidance Sample Volume recommended bottle type 1 Action Level Public Water System (PWS) LCR one (1) liter plastic, wide mouth 15 µg/l (ppb) (90th percentile) Schools (with own water supply) LCR one (1) liter plastic, wide mouth 15 µg/l (ppb) (90th percentile) Schools (testing individual taps) 3Ts ml plastic, wide mouth 20 µg/l (ppb) for individual taps Private home 3Ts ml plastic, wide mouth 20 µg/l (ppb) for individual taps Sample Collection Guidance Collect "First draw" samples (water in pipes have stood motionless for at least 6 hours) Do not clean aerators prior to sampling: Regular aerator maintenance (cleaning to remove particulate matter) is recommended, but should NOT be done prior to a sampling event. 1 Do not conduct pre-stagnation flushing: Do not flush the tap prior to starting the minimum 6-hour stagnation time required for LCR sample collection. 1 1 EPA Memorandum 2/29/2016: Clarification of Recommended Tap Sampling Procedures for Purposes of the Lead and Copper Rule 2 3Ts for Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water, Revised Technical Guidance (2006)

13 13 Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) Implementation Date April 1, 2016 Field Memo Guidance Sent out on March 24, More Guidance Forthcoming. Seasonal Systems Start-up procedures, certification form, notification letters TC Sample Siting Plan Templates Level 1/Level 2 Assessment Forms Q&As Will be working on updating manual items: PWS-31, PWS-32, PWS-35, etc.

14 14 RTCR Assessments Level 1 Assessment is self assessment by PWS, form available on the DOH website: (Level 2 or sanitary survey by LHD may be performed in lieu of Level 1) Level 2 Assessment will be performed by the State or the LHD Sanitary Survey may be conducted in lieu of Level 2 Assessment: form may still be useful in conducting sanitary survey Level 2 form available on the HCS: Groups -> LHD -> Environmental Health -> Reference Materials -> Forms -> Water Supply Assessments must be completed within 30 days and any defects addressed

15 15 RTCR Seasonal Systems Must complete state approved start-up procedures before serving water to the public Ensure pre-season total coliform samples are negative before opening Ensure start-up procedure certification form is received from Public Water Systems (PWS) Seasonal PWSs must sample during most vulnerable time period if sampling quarterly

16 16 RTCR Field Focus: Ensure your water systems are notified about RTCR using the various letter templates Ensure sample siting plans are in place for all systems For seasonal systems Track the certifications of completion of seasonal start-up Conduct Level 2 Assessment where applicable Conduct enforcement where applicable

17 17 Part 4: Protection Against Legionella Input has been received from water treatment, consulting and cooling tower, energy and other industries. Discussions regarding SPDES impacts on power industries have been held with NYSDEC. Presentations have been made to hospital associations and related organizations. Over 300 technical calls/ s have been answered & more than 1100 inquiries about the registry have been received/answered. The registry continues to be updated. 17

18 18 Part 4: Protection Against Legionella The emergency regulation extended on April 14, Proposed permanent regulation published on April 20, The 45-day public comment period. Differs from emergency regulation in several ways: Organized into two subparts: 4-1 addresses cooling tower & 4-2 potable water systems for Article 28 facilities Requires minimum frequency for bacteriological and Legionella sampling Legionella sampling to be performed at an ELAP approved lab Notification to LHDs within 24 hrs of Legionella sample results >1,000 cfu Article 28 facilities to conduct an environmental assessment of facility Adopt a Legionella sampling plan and follow action thresholds in new Appendix 4-B

19 Part 75/75-A/75-C Rulemaking Amendments to Part 75 filed/effective on March 16: Revisions to Part 75 (revised definitions, PE requirement, alternative systems, etc.) Revisions to Appendix 75-A (sections inadvertently left in 2010 version now deleted) New Appendix 75-C ( Individual Onsite Water Supply Systems Statewide Water Quality Standards ) Minimum standards Recommended for private water well testing LHDs with local permit or other approval programs may include into local sanitary code Field memo issued March 25,

20 20 Monthly Operation Reports Field Focus for Draft Environmental Health Manual Item

21 21 Drinking Water Infrastructure Funding - UPDATE New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act NYS Water Grants Total $400 million over 3 SFYs for drinking water and waste water projects Provided $50 million in Grants for drinking water and wastewater projects 2015/16 SFY ($20 million for 12 Drinking Water Projects) $175 million available for Round 2 Maximum grant raised to $3 million or 60% of eligible costs Application deadline extended to June 20, 2016 Split for drinking water vs. waste water to be determined Information webinar May 11, 2016 See

22 22 Drinking Water Fluoridation Grants Program DOH is completing review of applications for round Awards to be announced in very near future Request for Applications for will be posted to the Grants Gateway shortly

23 23 Tap Water Taste Contest The 30 th Annual Tap Water Taste Contest is a fun way to raise awareness of the importance and the value of our drinking water. The public tastes tap water samples from around New York State and votes for the best tasting water. Water systems compete April - August at local and regional events, culminating with the final competition at the State Fair in Syracuse on September 2, 2016.

24 24 Tap Water Taste Contest Dates Local contest dates are still being finalized Dates for the regional contests and final competition are listed below REGIONAL CONTESTS 7/22/16 Northern Ironman Lake Placid Expo August Central Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Syracuse August Capital Alive at 5 - Albany August Metro American Museum of Natural History 81st Entrance - NYC 8/6/16 Western Park Ave Summer Art Festival Rochester NY STATE CONTEST 9/2/16 State Finals NY State Fairgrounds Syracuse NY

25 25 Bureau of Water Supply Staffing Change Jane Thapa, P.E. has been promoted to Section Chief of the Professional Certification Section

26 26 Thank You Questions? New York State Department of Health Bureau of Water Supply Protection Empire State Plaza Corning Tower Room 1110 Albany, NY (518) ; Fax: (518)