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Public Water System Training: 2011 Drinking Water Program UpdatesJuly 20, 2011 Re: 2011 Drinking Water Program Updates Dear Public Water Supplier: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Drinking Water Program (DWP) is pleased to invite you to participate in our annual training entitled "2011 Drinking Water Program Updates". This training is intended to make each public water system (PWS) aware of updates the DWP has made to its regulations, guidelines, and policies that may affect operations. The training will cover the following topics:
This mailing also constitutes official notification of changes to the Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems which can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/policies.htm#dwguid. This annual training will be given in a web-based format for the first time, saving both MassDEP and the PWS the time and expense of commuting to a designated location. Each PWS will be able to view the training at a location and time of their choosing, which will be more cost effective and have less impact on operations. To make this possible, MassDEP has recorded the training and is making it available for viewing by downloading the individual topics from the MassDEP DWP training site. The agenda (covering all the topics), copies of the PowerPoint presentations, and related documents can be viewed by going to: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/systems.htm#training. Since MassDEP will not be proctoring this training, no training contact hours (TCH) will be offered. However, PWSs, technical assistance providers, or other training providers can host the training at a designated facility and offer TCHs. To do so, the host must submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities (Board) requesting approval to proctor the training and issue TCHs. Approval to issue TCHs must be granted by the Board before the training is given. DEP encourages PWSs, technical assistance providers, and other training providers to host this training if they wish to receive TCHs. MassDEP has prepared a packet of information that can be sent to you electronically to help you host a training session. The "host packet" includes a partially completed application to the Board, agenda, evaluation form, presenter question set with answers, and a form for the operators to submit questions to the DWP. To obtain a host packet, please contact the DWP by email at: Program.Director-DWP@state.ma.us with "2011 Training" in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, the name of your PWS or organization, telephone number, email address, and the location where you would like to host the training. If you have questions regarding this invitation or wish to discuss other opportunities to use our web-based training, please contact Ken Pelletier by telephone at 617-348-4014 or by email at kenneth.pelletier@state.ma.us or Yvette DePeiza by telephone at 617-292-5857 or by email at Yvette.depeiza@state.ma.us. We look forward to your participation in this training. Sincerely, David Y. Terry Enclosures cc: DWP Regional Chiefs
Updates to Chapters 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9 of the Guidelines and Policies for Public Water SystemsThe following is a summary of the most significant changes to each chapter of the Guidelines: Chapter 1 - Submission of Public Water System Designs, Plans, and Reports
Chapter 2 - General Design Considerations
Chapter 5 - Treatment
Chapter 8 - Finished Water Storage
Chapter 9 - Distribution System Piping and Appurtenances
Note: The latest version of the Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems is available at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/policies.htm#dwguid.
2011 Drinking Water Program UpdatesThe Webinar (audio / video) has been recorded in one continuous session. The Start & Stop time for each session listed in the table below can be found in the lower right hand corner of the slide. You can drag the button (turns orange when you click on it) which is part of the green bar along the bottom of the slide to bring you to the start of a particular session in the training (watch the counter in the lower right hand side of the slide for the start time of a particular session).
Instructions:
Overview of Training TopicsCertified Operator Updates The Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities (Board) has made changes to the requirements for operator certification that become effective on January 1, 2012. These changes will require applicants for Grade 2 or higher exams in either distribution or treatment to successfully complete Board approved training before being allowed to sit for exams. Applicants for the VSS or Grade 1 exams will continue to not require any specific training before they can sit for exams. Additionally, applicants for exams must now successfully pass a lower level exam before being allowed to sit for a higher level exam (i.e. Grade 1 before Grade 2, Grade 2 before Grade 3, etc.). These changes are intended to "raise the bar" for drinking water operators by assuring consumers that operators have the knowledge and training needed to protect public health. Cross Connection Control Program Updates A multitude of issues dealing with cross-connections to fire hydrants to record keeping will be addressed. Topic areas will include the cross connection section of Chapter 9 Drinking Water Guidelines: local controls, contamination policy, cross-connection plans, and tester and surveyor certification. Other areas to be covered include emergency reporting, unauthorized use of fire hydrants, and fire protection. The session will also focus on testing inaccessible, non-residential backflow preventers, lawn irrigation, and residential sprinkler systems. The importance and explanation of record keeping and the Cross Connection Control Program Audit in regards to the Drinking Water Guidelines will also be covered. The training will also focus on the MassDEP-DWP directives on cross-connection control/backflow prevention, further explanation will be presented for cleaning product chemical dispensers and floor drain trap primer valves. Attention will be directed to cross-connection control and backflow prevention in specific situations. By revisiting special, specific issues and examples dealing with this subject matter, a greater understanding will be achieved on cross-connection control/ backflow prevention. Updates to Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems The updates to the Guidelines chapters 1, 2, 5, 8, & 9 will be addressed. These updates cover the submission of designs, plans, and reports covered in Chapter 1 of the Guidelines and the revisions to the General Design Considerations covered in Chapter 2 of the Guidelines. Updates to the Treatment section in the Drinking Water Guidelines in Chapter 5 are explained along with the Finished Water Storage section in Chapter 8. A clear explanation of topics covered in Chapter 9 dealing with Distribution System Piping and Appurtenances are included in the updates. Tank Inspection and Maintenance This presentation will discuss the past frequency of water tank inspections and the unsanitary conditions commonly discovered during these inspections, along with the problems that these conditions can create for the water supplier. The session will facilitate a better understanding of the advantages of regular inspections and follow up maintenance and the applicability of Chapter 8 of the Drinking Water Guidelines. OSHA Tank Safety Operations Safety issues involved in individuals climbing and inspecting various types of water storage tanks will be discussed. The impact of Chapter 8 guidelines will be discussed for new water tanks, how and when water suppliers inspect their tanks, and what will be required to be done when tanks are rehabilitated. The session will also discuss how municipal workers are covered by DOS safety standards. Asset Management Updates to Chapter 11 of Guidelines as well as the importance of asset management for public water systems will be discussed in this presentation. The focus is on specific asset management tools that are available to PWS of various sizes. These financial and managerial tools allow the PWS to inventory assets, create Asset Management Plans, and create Capital Improvement Plans to enhance the system's capacity to provide safe water. Other Changes and Upcoming Rules PWS will be reminded of any programmatic or regulatory changes that occurred since the last statewide training. The main component of the upcoming Federal Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) will be discussed. MassDEP will explain how it plans to help PWS get ready for the rule.
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