|
In Brief: New DWP Calendar, DWP Emergency Numbers, Trusting Tap Water, Water Dispensers, EPA WaterSense, and CCR Reminder In the Main - A technical assistance newsletter for Public Water Suppliers
Winter 2008
New DWP Calendar
The Drinking Water Program has made a monthly planning calendar of events for water operators and posted it on the MassDEP website. This calendar was made to help water operators plan ahead with their reporting deadlines, training events, and other important information. To view the calendar go to: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/dwplncal.htm. Please bookmark this page and consult the calendar often.
Emergency Numbers
Remember that if there is a drinking water emergency, you must contact MassDEP immediately. Call your regional office during business hours, and call the emergency number during after-business hours or on holidays.
Springfield 413-784-1100
Worcester 508-792-7650
Wilmington 978-694-3200
Lakeville 508-946-2700
Emergency 888-304-1133
Building Trust in Tap Water
The Washington State Department of Health is providing utilities and others with free, downloadable tools, artwork, and ideas to help promote tap water. Go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/tapwater.htm to view these materials.
Using the theme "Tap into Goodness," the tool kit provides a way for utilities to go beyond their Consumer Confidence Reports and market the benefits of tap water to their consumers.
There are no copyright restrictions. You may use these tools as you wish. Just please be sure to drop Washington state a line at leslie.gates@doh.wa.gov to share what you're doing.
The tool kit materials are also available on CD. They can be ordered at no cost at http://www4.doh.wa.gov/dw/publications/publications.cfm.
Out With the Bottles and in With the Tap
In a continuing effort to reduce the agency's overall impact on the environment and to save resources wherever possible, MassDEP is in the process of changing out the bottled water dispensers with point-of-use (hard plumbed) water dispensers. These tap water dispensers are already in use in the Lakeville, Worcester, and Boston offices and the remaining offices are scheduled to be re-plumbed soon.
The new tap water dispensers dispense both hot and cold water, as did the old dispensers, and are just as convenient to use but employ no bulky bottles to buy or that constantly need replacing. It is a winning situation for MassDEP employees ... and the environment.
WaterSense
By Beth McCann
MassDEP has joined the USEPA WaterSense program, and want to urge public water systems to join the partnership. The WaterSense mission is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services.
WaterSense is partnering with irrigation professionals and certification programs to promote water-efficient landscape irrigation practices. WaterSense is also partnering with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, and utilities to bring WaterSense products to the marketplace and make it easy to purchase high-performing, water-efficient products.
For more information about the program and becoming a partner, go to www.epa.gov/watersense.
CCR Reminder
Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) are due every year on July 1. Start now to prepare your CCR and stay ahead of the deadline. You can mail out your CCR earlier to consumers and to MassDEP but cannot pass the July 1 deadline.
Since the changes to the Lead and Copper Rule have not been finalized you do not need to add the new informational lead language to your CCR this year. You will be sent more information on this new requirement at a later date. | 
communicate with dep
