Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - June 9, 2006
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for the FaxAlert ArchiveJune 9, 2006
NACWA Seeks Member
Input on WERF Report Finding Bacteria Re-growth in Sludge
On June 5, 2006, the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) published a report entitled, Examination of Reactivation and Regrowth of Fecal Coliforms in Centrifuge Dewatered, Anaerobically Digested Sludges (Project 03-CTS-13T), detailing the results from the first phase of a research effort undertaken in response to reports of increases in fecal coliform counts in dewatered sludge at a handful of wastewater treatment plants. Access to the report and related documents is available via NACWA’s Regulatory Alert 06-03 (http://www.nacwa.org/private/regalerts/ra06-03.cfm), which was sent to all members earlier this week. Though the study is limited in its scope and additional research is needed to further understand the issue, the researchers did find elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in centrifuge cake samples at four of the seven facilities. The WERF researchers attributed the increased coliform counts at the four facilities to a combination of regrowth and reactivation. NACWA has worked and will continue to work, closely with WERF and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to provide additional information and resources on the issue.NACWA recommends that its members review the study carefully and encourages them to thoroughly evaluate the need for additional sampling and how any data collected will be used. As outlined in the study, several communities have already successfully implemented mitigation strategies when further pathogen reduction was determined to be necessary. Also of great importance, EPA’s June 5 written response to the WERF report (http://www.nacwa.org/getfile.cfm?fn=2006-06_WERF_Reactiv.pdf) stated that the Agency continues to believe that the pathogen requirements and operational standards in Subpart D of the Part 503 regulations are “protective of public health.” NACWA asks that members with any information, data or questions contact Chris Hornback, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, at 202/833-9106 or chornback@nacwa.org.
NACWA to Provide Advocacy Support as. . .
Ballot Measure Passes Banning
L.A.’s Land Application of Biosolids in Kern County
The City of Los Angeles, a NACWA member, faced a setback this week as residents of Kern County passed Ballot Measure E, which effectively bans the land application of L.A.’s biosolids on “Green Acres,” a city-owned farm in Kern County. NACWA is clearly concerned about the possibility of this ballot measure setting a precedent that could impact additional member agencies’ biosolids management efforts. The Kern County vote reaffirms the Association’s need for continued advocacy on behalf of the fact that municipalities are best situated to determine how to manage their biosolids in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. As the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Works’ press release (http://www.nacwa.org/getfile.cfm?fn=2006-06-07cofla.pdf) on this issue noted, L.A. has been land applying biosolids for the past 12 years with no negative impacts in Kern County. In fact, the press release notes, land application “has contributed to the economic development of Kern County by adding $8 million to the local economy in jobs and taxes. Kern County residents work at the farm [which grows corn, wheat, alfalfa, and Sedan grass used to feed cattle].” “As a result of Measure E,” adds L.A.’s press release, “highly treated biosolids originating outside of Kern County will be banned, while dirtier, lower-quality biosolids from within the county will continue to be applied.”Given the ballot’s passage, L.A. is currently evaluating its alternatives and next steps. NACWA plans to send a letter of support in response to EPA Region 9’s June 6 proposed permit that would allow L.A., over a five-year period, to inject up to 400 tons of biosolids per day into an injection well designed for this purpose. As EPA Region 9’s press release states, the injection system “is an alternative to the city’s current practice of applying its treatment plant biosolids to agricultural fields in Kern County” and “would not affect drinking water supplies.” Comments on this proposed permit are due by July 19, 2006 and additional information is available on EPA Region 9’s website (http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/groundwater/uic-permits.html#la). L.A. officials are also considering follow-up legal action. NACWA’s Biosolids Management & Legal Affairs Committees will also engage in detailed discussions regarding this issue at their next meetings at the 2006 Summer Conference, July 18-21, in Seattle (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/06summer/).
Emerging Contaminant Issues Make
NACWA’s Summer Conference a “Must-Attend” Event!
Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products are on the minds of both clean water and drinking water managers these days. Collaboration among water sector stakeholders will be critical to effectively address the presence of these contaminants. A stellar line-up of speakers has been put together to discuss this, and other, important issues during NACWA’s 2006 Summer Conference and 36th Annual Meeting, Cross-Cutting Clean Water & Drinking Water Issues…Challenging Traditional Boundaries, July 18-21, in Seattle, Wash. The program, developed in cooperation with the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), will explore a number of real-world issues where water sector collaboration will be key. We anticipate a high level of attendance at this meeting and expect that our room block will sell out prior to the June 26 cut-off date. Call the Westin Seattle at 206.728.1000 to make your hotel reservations today! Also, visit NACWA’s Conferences and Meetings webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/06summer/) for updated agenda information and to register for the 2006 Summer Conference and 36th Annual Meeting.NACWA Seeks Member Input
to Gauge Interest in Abandoned Mine Clean-Up Initiatives
As initiatives related to the clean-up of abandoned mines have intensified at EPA and in Congress, NACWA is seeking input from public agency members whose water quality efforts are impacted by runoff from these mines. EPA announced May 10, as part of their Cooperative Conservation effort, the Good Samaritan Clean Watershed Act, new legislation to encourage voluntary actions to accelerate the restoration of watersheds affected by acid mine runoff from abandoned hardrock mines. EPA estimated there are over 500,000 such mines nationwide. Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe (R-OK) recently introduced the legislation, S. 2780, in the Senate and John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, introduced an identical measure, H.R. 5404, in the House. The bills can be accessed on NACWA’s Bill Tracker (http://www.nacwa.org/private/legreg/legupdate/leg_tracker.cfm). A permit issued under the legislation would allow a volunteer, called a Good Samaritan, to clean up an inactive or abandoned mine site and would shield the permittee from CWA or CERCLA liability for the actions taken under the permit. Significantly, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) are eligible to be Good Samaritans.This week NACWA was asked by the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee for suggestions on a potential municipal witness to testify at an upcoming hearing in the Senate Committee and for a letter of support on S.2780. While a small handful of NACWA members in California have been very active on this issue, the Association would like a better picture of the degree to which other public agency members are impacted by runoff from abandoned mines. Please contact NACWA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, Adam Krantz, at akrantz@nacwa.org or 202/833-4651 to provide this information.
- PowerPoint presentations from last week’s joint NACWA/Wet Weather Partnership CSO Workshop are now available on the Association’s Conferences & Meetings webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/ppt/06cso/).
- NACWA’s Clean Water Funding Task Force is pleased to announce that the re-design of the Clean Water America grassroots website is now complete and can be viewed at www.cleanwateramerica.org.