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Friday, June 27, 1997AMSA Sponsors Pretreatment Reinvention Meeting in Chicago
Nearly 30 representatives from AMSA member agency POTWs, EPA headquarters and regions, and states met on June 26-27 in Chicago to craft a document outlining a range of actions and options for creating pilot projects within the industrial pretreatment program. The meeting was part of an AMSA-led effort to assist in drafting regulatory language under 40 CFR 403 that may potentially allow for implementation of alternative pretreatment programs.
Two key criterions for POTW eligibility to apply for a demonstration program include modification of an existing approved industrial pretreatment program that has been in substantial compliance with that program and other applicable environmental requirements, and demonstration of the ability to assess environmental performance measures, which are indicative of the success of the pretreatment program.
Potential benefits that could be derived from allowing alternative pretreatment programs include: increased compliance rates leading to reduced loadings; faster attainment of pretreatment or other objectives; reduction in costs to pretreatment program with savings used to achieve environmental benefits; and, other environmental benefits generated through increased information on environmental outcomes or ambient conditions.
The document will be offered for EPA consideration in the preamble to its pretreatment streamling proposal scheduled for notice in the December 1997 Federal Register.
AMSA Kicks-off Newest Publication on Competitiveness
Members of AMSA's Competitiveness Workgroup met in Washington, DC on June 24 to begin work on the Association's newest publication, Thinking, Getting & Staying Competitive: A Public Sector Handbook. The Handbook, which was approved by AMSA's Board of Directors earlier this month, will profile proven strategies for water and wastewater utilities to use to become more efficient -- while still maintaining high levels of effectiveness -- at providing services to their municipalities.
The Handbook, which will serve as the basis for AMSA's 1998 Winter Conference, is scheduled for release during the conference in San Antonio, TX, February 3-6. A series of workshops are being planned for Spring 1998-Fall 1998 to introduce the topics in the Handbook and train participants in the processes of thinking, getting and staying competitive. The publication is also sponsored by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA).
The FaxAlert will not be forwarded next week because of the Fourth of July holiday. It will resume on its normal schedule on Friday, July 11. Happy Holiday!