MassDEP COVID-19 resources for water suppliers and wastewater operators

MassDEP is coordinating with the water supply and wastewater industries to provide information about the impacts of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. The materials provided here include our answers to questions from water-supply and wastewater professionals. MassDEP intends to host weekly calls with water suppliers until further notice to maintain effective communication.

Please note: On March 18, Governor Baker signed COVID-19 Order 9, Order Extending the Registrations of Certain Licensed Professionals, which extended the licenses of certain professionals. On June 26, 2020, Governor Baker rescinded this order when he signed COVID-19 Order 41, Order Authorizing the Reopening of Child Care Programs and Rescinding Eight COVID-19 Orders. Neither of these Orders affects the licenses issued to drinking water or wastewater operators in Massachusetts.

COVID-19 Assistance Surveys

Calling all drinking water and wastewater operators who are willing to assist other facilities! Please fill out this survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5VTP5SS

Survey Results

• List of Drinking Water and Wastewater Licensed Operators Indicating Willingness to Assist PWSs (PDF 157 KB)

Water Supplier Resources

Weekly MassDEP Meetings with Public Water System Operators

• Link to list of MP3 audio files

Water Supplier FAQs

• MassDEP COVID-19 FAQs for Public Water Suppliers

Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity Advisory for Public Water Suppliers

Additional Guidance

• Bacteria sampling at outside taps/spigots/hose bibs
• Bacteria sampling at hydrants using hydrant sampler
• Mitigating lead and copper levels in facilities after school closure due to COVID-19
• Emergency Certification of Public Water System Temporary Closure (Non-Operational Status) - For Non-Community (TNC/NTNC) public water suppliers
• Drinking water operator license extension guidance during the public-health emergency
• MassDEP building flushing information
• Addressing stagnant water in buildings (for building owners and managers)
• Documentation for failure to comply with a requirement as a result of the COVID-19 emergency

Training for Drinking Water Operators

• Drinking Water Training materials, resources, and events

Additional Resources

MassDEP Meetings with Public Water System and Wastewater Treatment Facility Operators

Wastewater Treatment System Operator Resources

Weekly MassDEP Meetings with Wastewater Treatment System Operators

• Link to list of MP3 audio files

Wastewater Operator FAQs

• MassDEP COVID-19 FAQs for Wastewater Operators

Training Information

Biosolids annual report (NETBIO) access: 
https://cdx.epa.gov/

Training on how to submit the 2020 Biosolids Annual Report – Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Register for training:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3218186283681993996.

Biosolids Training Schedule: 
https://epanet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/235008088-Biosolids-Training-Schedule.

Additional Resources for Biosolids Training: 
https://epanet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/204465328

CDC Webinar on COVID-19 Vaccination for Water Sector – February 10

Email [e-mail] for more information.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_nIdhO7LWQf6kOLCkWq1eXA

Or an H.323/SIP room system:
H.323: 161.199.138.10 (US West) or 161.199.136.10 (US East)
Meeting ID: 161 172 1632
Passcode: 14483

Training for Operator TCH's
https://portal.neiwpcc.org/training-calendar.asp

“Building Climate Change Resilience” – 4  days/module virtual training in March: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/803391568181551376

MWOT exam preparation courses:
https://neiwpcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MWOT-Recommended_Prep_for_WWTPO_License_Exam-Jan-2021-rev-1.pdf

https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity

CDC wastewater surveillance system for Covid-19
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/wastewater-surveillance.html

Additional Guidance

• Beer Waste Notice
• MassDEP Guidance on Managing Wastewater Sludge During COVID-19 Pandemic
• MassDEP Septage Receiving Facilities List 4-13-20
• Wastewater operator license extension guidance during the public-health emergency
• Key Safety Information for Wastewater Operators on COVID-19 and other Biohazards (Water Environment Federation)

Additional Resources

MassDEP Meetings with Public Water System and Wastewater Treatment Facility Operators

Presentation: EPA/ORD Method for SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Monitoring

Presentation: Overview of Ohio SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Monitoring System

Training Opportunities

Training on how to submit the 2020 Biosolids Annual Report – Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Register for training:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3218186283681993996.

Biosolids Training Schedule: 
https://epanet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/235008088-Biosolids-Training-Schedule.

Additional Resources for Biosolids Training: 
https://epanet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/204465328

Biosolids annual report (NETBIO) access:
https://cdx.epa.gov/

CDC Webinar on COVID-19 Vaccination for Water Sector – Wednesday, February 10, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hosting a series of webinars on COVID-19 vaccination for essential workers. CDC’s February 10th webinar for the Water Sector will provide an overview of vaccine distribution and implementation and briefly cover safety and efficacy. Participants are encouraged to submit any questions they have when they register so the presenter can address any FAQs.

Email [e-mail] for more information.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_nIdhO7LWQf6kOLCkWq1eXA

Or an H.323/SIP room system:
H.323: 161.199.138.10 (US West) or 161.199.136.10 (US East)
Meeting ID: 161 172 1632
Passcode: 14483

Operating a Laboratory: Dos and Don’ts – Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 1-2:30pm EST

Presenter: Magdeleine Dallemagne, US EPA Region 6, Dallas, TX
Registration:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6653321192753121293

Training for Operator TCH's
https://portal.neiwpcc.org/training-calendar.asp

“Building Climate Change Resilience” – 4  days/module virtual training in March: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/803391568181551376

MWOT exam preparation courses:
https://neiwpcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MWOT-Recommended_Prep_for_WWTPO_License_Exam-Jan-2021-rev-1.pdf

https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity

AWIA Assessments Training
https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/awia-section-2013#TNG

Additional Resources

Technical Assistance Webinar Series

Webinar Information: Strategies for Small POTWs Handling High Strength Influent (2020)

Tools for Water Utility Operators

CDC wastewater surveillance system for Covid-19
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/wastewater-surveillance.html

EPA Water Utility Response On-The-Go App
This mobile app consolidates and makes accessible from the field, information and tools that water utility operators and their response partners may need during an emergency:
https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/water-utility-response-go-mobile-application

Cyber Security Resources

https://www.epa.gov/waterriskassessment/epa-cybersecurity-best-practices-water-sector
https://us-cert.cisa.gov/
https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity