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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands Updates
Rain Barrels & Other Water Conservation Tools
11/10 - Obtaining, setting up, and using rain barrels to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff. The collected water can be used to water lawns or gardens, wash cars, fill swimming pools, or other household chores.
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604b 2010 Grant Updates
10/28 - The FFY10 604b grant RFR will be released in January 2010. Further details will posted in December 2009.
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2009 Annual Clean Water SRF Report
10/16 - This report combines the annual clean water report as well as the biennial drinking water report
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Proposed New Regulations for Well Drillers Program
10/7 - MassDEP is proposing new regulations at 310 CMR 46.00 to reflect the jurisdictional change of the Well Drillers Program from the Department of Conservation & Recreation to MassDEP, which took effect October 1, 2009.
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Re-evaluating Perchlorate in Drinking Water
10/6 - MassDEP has published a paper on the "Basis of the Massachusetts Reference Dose and Drinking Water Standards for Perchlorate." The US EPA is reconsidering their decision not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water based on thousands of public comments they received that their decision is not protective of public health. A link to MassDEP's paper, the EPA's entry in the Federal Register, and MassDEP's comments on the EPA update are available.
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Final Bacteria TMDL for the Three Bays System
9/21 - The final version of the Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report for the Three Bays system on Cape Cod has been issued.
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Financing Energy Management Enhancements with the SRF Program
9/18 - The Massachusetts SRF loan programs for both drinking water and clean water incorporate the goals of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy generation into its financing decisions.
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New Groundwater Discharge Permitting forms
9/10 - In accordance with revisions to 314 CMR 5.00, promulgated in March 2009, MassDEP has issued several new permit applications for groundwater discharges. The new forms address groundwater discharge permit renewals, permits for sewage treatment plants and other groundwater discharges, reclaimed water use, and permits for wastewater treatment facilities.
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Flood cleanup information
8/21 - The rains this summer have saturated parts of Massachusetts and with hurricane season still in effect, there will be areas more prone to flooding. MassDEP has emergency information available for public assistance.
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Save the Date - Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products Workshop
8/21 - This workshop will provide a forum for a continuing dialogue with stakeholders from industry, government, environmental groups, research, academia, and others on the issue of PPCPs and EDCs in wastewater, including treatment plant effluent used for recharge, and soil adsorption systems in unsewered areas. the workshop is scheduled for Tuesday September 22, 2009. For more information on the workshop and to register, please visit the following web page.
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Summer 2009 Edition of "In the Main"
8/18 - The newest issue of "In the Main," MassDEP's technical assistance newsletter for public water suppliers, is now available online, featuring articles on state revolving funds, emergency response self-assessment, the new federal Ground Water Rule, financial assistance for local water conservation, and much more.
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Industrial Wastewater Discharges to Sewers
8/4 - New guidance for documenting compliance with the 1 part per billion (ppb) limit on mercury in discharges.
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Public Notice & Proposed Revisions to 310 CMR 22.00 Drinking Water Regulations
8/4 - The DWP is proposing changes to 310 CMR 22.00 Drinking Water Regulations. Public hearings will be held on August 31 and September 1. The public comment period will end on September 11.
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Nitrogen TMDL Planning: Inter-municipal Watershed Planning & TMDL Implementation to Restore Embayment Water Quality on Cape Cod
7/27 - Three Case Studies of Towns Sharing Coastal Watersheds
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2010 Project Solicitation & Project Evaluation Forms
7/17 - The 2010 project solicitation & evaluation forms for the Clean Water & Drinking Water SRF program are now available.
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Model Trust and Escrow Account Agreements for Groundwater Discharge Permits
7/9 - Model agreements for "Trust Agreement for Capital Reserve Account" and "Escrow Agreement for Repair and/or Replacement Account," as described in in 314 CMR 5.15(2)(b) and 314 CMR 5.10(8)(k)1.a, respectively, are now available.
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Lead and Copper Education Template Language
7/8 - Water suppliers are required to provide their customers with lead and copper information using this language, as set forth in the US EPA's Lead and Copper Rule and Massachusetts' Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.06B).
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Annual Notice to Boards of Health
7/1 - The Drinking Water Program has mailed the Annual Notice to local Boards of Health for 2009. This packet includes an inventory of all registered public water systems in each Board's municipality, emergency contact information, updates on state and federal drinking water regulations, and the annual licensing process for recreational camps.
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Regulations to Address Asian Longhorn Beetle Infestation
6/26 - Revisions to 314 CMR 9.00, the Water Quality Certification Regulations, and 310 CMR 10.00, the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, have been promulgated to allow for certain actions necessary to eradicate the Asian Longhorn Beetle.
314 CMR 9.12: Water Quality Certification: Web page
310 CMR 10.06(6)(a)4: Wetlands Protection: Web page
Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program
5/21 - The Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program has issued a Request for Responses for the FY2010 grant cycle. This program provides funding to eligible public water systems and municipalities for land acquisitions to protect drinking water supplies. The deadline for grant applications is September 11, 2009.
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Massachusetts Energy Management Pilot for Drinking Water & Wastewater Facilities
5/20 - The Massachusetts Energy Management Pilot for Drinking Water & Wastewater Facilities is a project designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and the amount of energy that facilities use in the treatment of water that flows through the plants by 20%. MassDEP, along with federal, state, and local partners, are working together to assist with the implementation of efficiency and renewable energy projects that will result in substantial energy savings for all the targeted facilities.
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Emergency Response Planning for Public Water Systems
5/14 - Public Water Systems are required to develop an emergency response plan and compliance checklist, to be submitted to the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office, by December 31, 2009. In addition to the checklist, MassDEP has developed guidance, a training program outline, and an Emergency Response Report Form.
Guidance:
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Forms:
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2009 Standards and Guidelines for Contaminants in Massachusetts Drinking Water
5/7 - The 2009 list of Standards and Guidelines has been issued. These guidelines are intended to provide the public with information on the safety and integrity of drinking water in Massachusetts. A maximum contaminant level (MCL), the highest concentration that is allowed in drinking water, is provided for each contaminant, with technical explanations and references.
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Final Massachusetts Year 2008 Integrated List of Waters (CWA Sections 303d and 305b)
5/7 - The Federal Clean Water Act requires MassDEP to submit to US EPA a listing of waterbodies in the state that are not expected to meet the surface water quality standards set forth in the Act and will require the development of a TMDL. This list was approved by the US EPA on May 4, 2009.
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Ground Water Rule Forms
5/7 - Form GWR A, with instructions, for public water systems with gaseous or liquid chlorine disinfection to determine the viral log inactivation currently achieved at their system and the additional log treatment required to meet 4-log virus treatment; and Form GWR B, for systems to determine their capacity to respond to fecal contamination incidents. Both forms must be filled out and submitted to MassDEP by September 1, 2009.
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Massachusetts Dairy Farm Milkhouse Wastewater Management Pilot Program
4/27 - MassDEP and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources have established a pilot program that allows dairy farms to discharge wastewater from processing dairy products to vegetated areas where plants will treat the wastewater before it reaches ground water.
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Final 2009 State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans
4/27 - Lists of projects to be recommended by MassDEP for financing through revolving loan funds in calendar year 2009. The recommended projects are intended to control water pollution and protect drinking water quality.
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Well Drillers Program
4/21 - The Well Drillers Program is moving to MassDEP from the Department of Conservation & Recreation in Fall 2009. This page includes the current list of Massachusetts registered well drillers and other information related to the program.
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New Issue of "In the Main"
4/16 - The April 2009 issue of "In the Main," the MassDEP Drinking Water Program's newsletter for water system professionals, is now available, featuring articles on an educational partnership with Worcester State College, Water Management Act 20-year permit renewals, a "green jobs" training and placement initiative, training for new provisions of the Groundwater Rule, and much more.
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Managing Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) in MWRA Community Sewer Systems (Policy BRP 09-01)
4/2 - In the MWRA service area, many of the sewer systems are older and prone to high volumes of infiltration and inflow (I/I). MassDEP is establishing this policy as a regulatory means to ensure that communities identify and remove I/I sources.
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2004-2008 Narragansett/Mt Hope Bay Water Quality Assessment Report
4/2 - The Water Quality Assessment Report for the Narragansett/Mt Hope Bay watersheds has been published. This document summarizes the water quality data in the watersheds which is used to assess their condition in terms of a variety of designated uses.
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314 CMR 20.00, Reclaimed Water Permit Program & Standards
3/20 - New regulations at 314 CMR 20.00, Reclaimed Water Permit Program & Standards, have been promulgated. These regulations authorize MassDEP to establish a permitting program for water reuse, including requirements for the use, sale, and distribution of reclaimed water.
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314 CMR 12.00, Operation & Maintenance Standards for Wastewater Treatment Plants
3/20 - Revisions to 314 CMR 12.00, Operation & Maintenance Standards for Wastewater Treatment Plants, have been promulgated. These revisions clarify the responsibility of contract operators for operating and maintaining wastewater treatment facilities in accordance with approved operation & maintenance plans and staffing plans, and for performing the monitoring, reporting, and record-keeping required by the facility's discharge permit.
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314 CMR 5.00, Groundwater Discharge Permits, and 314 CMR 6.00, Groundwater Quality Standards
3/20 - Revisions to 314 CMR 5.00, Groundwater Discharge Permits, have been promulgated. These revisions streamline the existing permitting process and reduce the time it takes an applicant to obtain a groundwater discharge permit. As part of this revision package, 314 CMR 6.00, Groundwater Quality Standards, has been rescinded, as its provisions have been incorporated into 314 CMR 5.00.
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Revised Wetlands Permit Forms
3/18 - Revised versions of the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, the Order of Resource Area Delineation, and the Order of Conditions are now available. These revisions reflect changes in the Wetlands regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, relative to Simplified Review in Buffer Zones and to stormwater.
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Safe Drinking Water Act Annual Report to the Legislature for 2008
3/16 - The Safe Drinking Water Act Assessment Advisory Committee's Annual Report to the Legislature for 2008, required under MGL Chapter 21A, section 18A, is now available. This report summarizes work at MassDEP funded by the Assessment.
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Revision to Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pumps
3/12 - This revision adds ethanol as an approved antifreeze additive for closed-loop wells. MassDEP will continue to update this document as issues associated with ground source heat pumps are evaluated.
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Updated Wastewater Treatment Plant Grading Lists
3/10 - Updated wastewater treatment plant grading lists are now available. These lists determine the necessary certification level for wastewater treatment plant operators.
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Updates for Calendar Year 2008 Consumer Confidence Reports
3/9 - Details of regulatory revisions that will affect preparation of the 2009 Consumer Confidence Reports (covering calendar year 2008), including sections relating to disinfectants and disinfection byproducts, surface water treatment, and new required language relating to lead.
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Consumer Confidence Reporting Guidelines (Appendix M of the Guidelines for Public Water Systems)
3/9 - The Consumer Confidence Reporting Guidelines have been updated to reflect new regulatory requirements regarding surface water treatment, disinfectants and disinfection byproducts, and new required language relating to lead.
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Updated Lists of Treatment Plants Discharging to Groundwater
3/5 - Newly updated lists of treatment plants that hold permits in Massachusetts to discharge to groundwater are now available.
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Wetlands WIRE Registration Update
2/26 - 141 Massachusetts communities have registered for MassDEP's Wetlands Information Resource, enabling easier tracking of permitting, enforcement, compliance monitoring, and mitigation success. See an updated map and listing of communities registered for WIRE and more information about the program.
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Chemical Safety Control Strategy
2/9 - An article from "In the Main," the Drinking Water Program's technical assistance newsletter for water system operators, discusses requirements for safe, secure handling and storage of treatment chemicals at water and wastewater treatment facilities.
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New Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pumps
2/9 - New guidance document available and effective immediately. MassDEP will continue to update this document as issues associated with ground source heat pumps are evaluated.
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Updated "In the Main" Article Catalog
2/9 - A spreadsheet listing the titles and synopses of articles that have appeared in the Drinking Water Program's technical assistance newsletter, "In the Main," has been updated to include articles published through Winter 2008.
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Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Certification Form
2/9 - The certification form used by water suppliers to demonstrate compliance with Consumer Confidence Report distribution requirements has been updated for 2009.
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Annual Innovative/Alternative Technology Company Reporting
1/29 - For electronic submittal of annual reports for technology companies.
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Request for General Permit Coverage: BRP WM 11
1/15 - Revised and updated instructions from MassDEP to assist any public or private entity proposing to discharge non-contact cooling water from a point source to surface waters. Also see US EPA's web site for more information.
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Drinking Water Program Policy 08-02: Actions to Protect Public Health in the Period Between Federal Rule Promulgation and State Promulgation
1/6 - This policy details MassDEP's practice for ensuring the protection of public health during the period between the promulgation of a final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Primary Drinking Water Regulation and the promulgation of a corresponding MassDEP regulation.
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"Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure"
1/5 - A web presentation created by Pennsylvania State University, combining a ninety-minute documentary with a community toolkit for facilitating local involvement. "Liquid Assets" explores the history, engineering, and political and economic challenges of our water infrastructure, and engages communities in local discussion about public water and wastewater issues.
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Massachusetts Inland Volunteer Monitoring General Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)
1/5 - This document contains baseline requirements for various levels of data collection in water quality monitoring projects for inland water bodies. Any group performing the types of monitoring activities described in the QAPP can adopt this document as the project plan. A Quality Assurance Project Plan is required for any monitoring effort that receives federal or state funding.
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