Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - November 30, 2001
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November 30, 2001
AMSA’s Security Efforts Gain Momentum, Key Funding
AMSA’s security effort took major leaps forward this week as President Bush signed the VA, HUD and Independent Agencies appropriations bill, providing $500,000 to AMSA for wastewater security initiatives. This funding will be crucial as AMSA’s Water Infrastructure Security Task Force moves forward with finalizing the first phase of a vulnerability assessment software tool. This first phase includes a vulnerability assessment checklist that will help wastewater treatment officials begin the process of determining potential security risks on an agency-specific basis. This checklist should be completed in the next several weeks. The VA, HUD appropriations bill also provides $1 million for the National Biosolids Partnership, $1.35 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and an increase to $344 million in targeted grants to address community wastewater and other water infrastructure projects.
AMSA Issues Final Dioxin in Biosolids Survey Analysis
AMSA unveiled yesterday its crucial AMSA 2000/2001 Survey of Dioxin-Like Compounds in Biosolids: Statistical Analyses (Final Report), showing that levels of dioxin-like compounds in biosolids are on average well below EPA’s proposed 1999 limit and have declined dramatically since the previous AMSA survey was completed in 1995. The Final Report marks the culmination of a voluntary survey AMSA began in October 2000 to determine current levels of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in biosolids, and demonstrates the commitment of publicly owned treatment works to limiting dioxins in biosolids. Another telling conclusion of the Final Report is that the median dioxin concentration of the samples in AMSA’s survey is 21.7 parts per trillion toxic equivalents (ppt-TEQ), well below the level of 300 ppt-TEQ level proposed by EPA. The survey is likely the most comprehensive investigation into dioxin levels in biosolids to date, thanks to the agencies who participated. The Final Report and its appendices are available at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/dioxin/dioxin.cfm or in RA 01-19.
Send in your Nomination Now for. . .
AMSA’s 2002 Environmental Achievement Awards
AMSA’s 2002 National Environmental Achievement Awards program is now open for nominations and offers members a unique opportunity to recognize local, state and federal officials for their contributions to the clean water community and honor their agency and individuals for notable accomplishments. Award nominations must be received by AMSA’s National Office no later than Friday, December 22, 2001. Application materials were sent to all member agencies via Member Update 01-15. Details on the awards program, including award categories, eligibility criteria, application information and instructions for submitting nominations, can be found on AMSA's web site at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/membership/awards.cfm.
- 2002 Winter Conference Hotel Clarification: AMSA members recently received a postcard announcing AMSA’s 2002 Winter Conference, Managing & Protecting Wastewater Infrastructure Assets, to be held February 5 - 8 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando Fla. Please note that the special conference rate is $185 for a queen double/standard king room and the special rate for the king deluxe room is $205. Contact the Caribe Royale Hotel at 800/823-8300 for reservations by January 11th to ensure these special rates!