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September 4, 1998
AMSA Membership Reaches 200 AgenciesOn Thursday, September 4 , the number of AMSA member agencies reached the 200 mark with the joining of the City of Superior Wastewater Division in Wisconsin. Since the launch of AMSA’s membership development campaign earlier this year, the Association has welcomed 22 new member agencies and four Affiliates, strengthening AMSA’s representation in 13 states. Membership development outreach activity continues at both the National Office and AMSA member agencies. Member Update 98-9 provides complete information on how you as an AMSA member agency can help ensure that AMSA’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
AMSA’s First Ever Public Affairs Seminar Gets Rave Reviews
“I have been attending conferences for 25 years . . . this was one of the two or three best I’ve ever experienced,”said one participant at AMSA’s first ever public affairs seminar — Risky Business . . . Effectively Communicating Risk, Reality & Reform — held earlier this week in Providence, Rhode Island. Member agencies’ public affairs staff and agency management from around the country attended this groundbreaking seminar, which explored issues such as risk communication, public acceptance of biosolids, and successfully engaging both internal and external stakeholders through changes in utility services or operations. All in attendance enjoyed the opportunity to network and are looking forward to more AMSA-sponsored public affairs seminars in the future. The highlight of the meeting was the dynamic presentation by renowned risk communication expert Dr. Peter Sandman. “This was the very best presentation I’ve ever attended at a conference — excellent! raved one attendee who appreciated Dr. Sandman’s advice on effectively mitigating public outrage related to environmental risks. A recording of Dr. Sandman’s three-hour presentation at the seminar is available on audio cassette from the National Office at a cost of $10 per set. Interested members should contact AMSA at 202/833-2672. Look for additional coverage of the seminar in the September issue of the Clean Water News.
WET Inter-Laboratory Study Participation Encouraged
Over 80 AMSA member agencies have thus far offered to participate in a new whole effluent toxicity (WET) study of inter-laboratory precision and accuracy. The study is a result of a settlement agreement reached between EPA and the Western Coalition of Arid States (WESTCAS) in July 1998 on WET issues. In the agreement, EPA agreed to perform the study and pay all costs associated with tests performed at nine labs. In order to sufficiently demonstrate the impact of test variability on permit compliance and concerns regarding statistical relevance, AMSA solicited the membership to participate in the study to maximize the number of labs participating Regulatory Alert RA 98-16 If your agency has not responded to the solicitation request, but would like to participate in the study, please contact Tim Moore with Risk Sciences at 615/370-5188 by Friday, September 11.
The 1998 AMSA-EPA National Pretreatment Coordinators’ Workshop will be taking place in Kansas City, Missouri on October 28-30. Members are reminded that hotel reservations must be made by October 1 to receive the group rate. To reserve a room, contact the Hyatt Regency Crown Center at 816/421-1234. Workshop registration information was distributed to members via Member Update 98-13. Look for a program flyer in your mailbox later this month.