United States
Environmental Protection
‘ 3’ EP Agency
4

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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
New England:
What Your Business Can Do To
Help Protect Secure
Drinking Water Sources!

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An Introduction
ew England businesses and
communities have always
depended on safe water supplies
for drinking water, fire pro tec—
tion, power, and commercial uses. Your business
and employees all enjoy plentiful drinking water.
That is why EPA New England encourages your business to help protect
and sccure public drinking water supplies by working with your water
supplier, promoting water efficiency, and reducing potential impacts from
- commercial operations.
There are many opportunities to assist your local water supplier by
improving security and protection near your community’s surface water
supply or groundwater supplies (also called drinking water protection
areas). During source water assessments completed by the state drinking
water programs, the top threats to New England drinking water supplies

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identified included stormwater runoff. storage tanks (both underground
and aboveground tanks), automotive related activities, and lawn or
herbicide practices.
This brochure shows businesses how to determine if they are located
within a drinking water source protection area and includes common
sense tips on how to protect those sources. There are also easy steps
businesses can take to enhance the security of water supplies.
Regional drinking water demand and population growth will significantly
increase in the years to come. At the same time it is also predicted that climate
change will adversely affect water resources. EPA New England believes that
now is the time for businesses to do their part to promote water and energy
efficiency. After all, saving water means saving energy which leads to
saving costs.
EPA recognizes the challenges New England faces in providing safe
drinking water to the business and their communities. We hope that your
business will review how to reduce the risks to public drinking water
supplies and serve to protect them.
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What Steps
Have Been Taken by State and Local Government
to Assess Threats to Drinking Water Supplies?
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Programs to Secure &
Protect Drinking Water Systems
Security Program
Security vulnerabiities of community water systems have been
identified. The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 required community
water systems (serving over 3,300 customers) to take the
following security-related steps:
hi
1. Idenufv the system’s vulnerabilities to terrorist or other
intentional acts;
2. Develop a prioritized plan of action to enhance secunry; and
3. Prepare an emergency response plan.

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Source Water Assessment I-’rogram
Your State Drinking Water Program located and mapped potential
threats to your communit-v’s public drinking water supplies. For each
assessment, the following steps were taken:
1. Determine where the public water system gets its water and identi1 ’
the land area that if polluted, could affect the water source. This is
called a drinking water protection area.
. Inventory potential sources of contaminants within that land area
using existing data or other information, as needed, from the water
supplier, community groups municipal boards, and businesses.
3. L e geographic conditions and the list of potential sources of
contamination to determine how susceptible the drinking water
source is to being contaminated in the Riture.
4. Provide a written source water assessment report (and usually
a map) describing potential sources of contamination for each
drinking water system and distribute to the water supplier.
municipal officials, and the public.

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What Can You Do
If Your Business Is Located in a
Drinking Water Protection Area?
1. Your business may have been identified as one of the potential sources
of contamination in the source water assessment. Check with your water
supplier to see if your business is located in a drinking water protection
area. Talk to your local water supplier about precautionaiy measures you
should take to protect the drinking water source. You may also want to let
your customers know what you are doing to protect their water.
2. You can demonstrate your business’s commitment to the community’s
safe drinking water by carrying out practices that minimize the risk of
contamination and by working on local emergency planning efforts.
3. If your business manages its own public water system (restaurant,
convenience store, gas station, mobile home park) your business will
want to reduce any threat to its own water supplY. Your business can
show its commitment to protecting the public by taking steps today to
reduce the likelihood of a release of contaminants.
4. Make secur iv and your water system a priority within your business.

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Did you know that...
• Estimated total current U.S. water-related energy use i_c
more than 300 billion kWh_c per yean
• A hot water faucet uses as much energy in 5 minutes
as a 60 watt bulb uses in 14 hours;
• High efficiency faucets can reduce water usage by
30% or more without sacrificing performance. If we
cut our water use in half, we cut our water-related
energy use in half
In the business sector, there are many
opportunities for energy and water savings.
Businesses can:
• Promote campaigns to conserve water at work and
at home;
• Work locally to build public awareness and
(when necessary) implement drought management;
• Support and participate in water conservation
programs including retrofits and rebate programs;
• Conduct a water use audit and institute water saving
measures such as rain and soil moisture sensors for
lawn irngatton;
• Join EPVs WarerSense program as a promotional partner.

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EPA Launched the new
WaterS ense Program
in June 2006:
• Voluntary partnership-based labeling program
sponsored by US EPA;
• The goal of WaterSense is to protect the nanon s water
supply by promoting and enhancing the market for
water—efficient products and services;
• Water and \vJ.stewater infrastructure costs can be
reduced, saving water and energy resources;
• Using WaterSense labels helps consumers
differentiate among products and services that use iess
water without sacrificing perftrmalke;
• Supports state and local water efficiency ef1 rts
• Projected savings potential for initial WaterSense
product areas — toilets, faucets and irrigation controllers
— based on a I O°o replacement of existing fixtures,
is estimated to be 120 billion gallons or enough to
supply water to 33 million people for a year. For every
million gallons saved, approximately 1,500kW
hours are saved.
• For partnership sign-up thrms and more information
go to wwwepa.gov/waterSense

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What Can We Do
To Conserve Drinking
Water Supplies?
Many states in New England have issued drought advisories.
Many communities. businesses and residents struggled under
water use restrictions. Water demand and population in
New England will significantly increase in the decades to come.
In addition, climate change provides new challenges.
In the Northeast, models have shown climate is projected to adversely
affect water resources. Projected impacts include:
• Flooding of water sources and infrastructure:
• Short-term droughts;
• Increased water demand;
• Water quality problems such as gn ater risk of waterbome diseases; and
• Risk of saltv rer intrusion.
Water Conservation presents a significant opportunity to offset some
these projected impacts. Water savings means energy savings which leads
to cost savings.

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Did You Know that
New England Businesses Have Already
Stepped Forward to Protect and
Conserve Drinking Water Resources?
Case Studies:
Genzme Corp
Massachusetts
The Genzyme Corp has
built a new 12-story head-
quarters in Cambridge, MA
that will reduce energy use
by 42°o, saving the compa-
nv an estimated 5460,000 a
year. The building’s sustain-
able design also includes
waterless urinals and
low-flow fixtures that will
reduce potable water use
by nearly a third, or about
500,000 gallons, and a
vegetative roof and
rainwater collection system
that will reduce stormwater
runoff impacts.
Gillette Stadium
Massachusetts
The owners of Gillette
Stadium and the Foxborough
Water Department reduced
the projected water
consumption by 60% by
designing a water reuse
system to reduce the amount
of water needed for toilet
flushing. This partnership
resulted in saving an
estimated 250,000 gallons
per day of the Town of
Foxborough’s water supply.
Bath Water District
Maine
The water district replaced
throttling valves with
variable frequency drives
on two 5 HP raw water
pumps and three 150 HP
treated water distribution
pumps. These pumps will
save the utility 375,940kW
hours per year and $30,0 4
in operating costs. With
incentives, the total cost of
the project will be paid back
in 1.5 years.
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Common Sense Tips
To Protect and Secure Drinking Water Sources
The Basics • Train employees to reduce use of toxic chemicals and practice
spill control and containment
• Use the least hazardous chemicals available
• Use as few lawn chemicals as possible
• Pump your septic system regularly
Security • If you have your own water source: assess your system’s
vulnerabilities, prepare an emergency response plan, and
conduct security drills
• Contact your water supplier to exchange emergency contact
lists and support or get involved in water security efforts such
as neighborhood watch programs
• Become an active player on your local emergency planning
committees
• Inform law enforcement about any suspicious activities
involving potentially harmful substances or equipment
Storage • Store potentially harmful substances on a paved surface
• Use secondary containment structures around storage containers
for extra protection
• Label containers clearly and visibly
• Cover containers stored outside
• Secun storage areas against unauthorized entry and inspect weekly
• Keep aboveground and underground storage tanks in good
working order
Chemical Keep containers closed and sealed
Handling • Use drip pans under spigots, valves, and pumps
• Use funnels and drip pans when transferring harmful substances
• Recycle chemicals instead of discharging them
• Do not discharge harmful substances or waste products into
floor drains or work sinks that lead into or onto the ground
Accident • Post information on what to do in the event of a spill. Cooniinate
Preparedness th and post phone numbers for your fire chief, hazardous spill
& Disposal response hotline and water supplier.
Vehicles • Inspect your vehicles regularly to be sure that they aren’t
I like oil or antifreeze
If your business is not connected to a municipal sewer, you may need to knw more
about complying with Class V Underground Injection Well Control Regulations.

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Underground Injection
Control Well Regulations
How Does Your Business Dispose of Wastewater?
Class V Injection Wells are commonly called
“S hallow Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Systems.”
You may have one if your business’s vastewater does not go to a municipal
sewer, holding tank, surface water or land surface. Shallow subsurface
wastewater disposal systems include: septic systems, leach fields, leaching
pits and trenches, drywells, cesspools and disposal wells. Common waste
fluids discharged underground include: sewage, waste fluids, process
wastewater, non-contact cooling water, snow melt water, wash water,
boiler water. and stormwater. These waste streams usually contain non-
hazardous waste. However, they are often susceptible to contamination by
hazardous wastes and hazardous materials.
An Endangering Class V Injection Well Example:
Subsurface wastewater disposal systems at motor vehiLle service-related
businesses often contaminate underground drinking water sources.
Motor vehicle waste fluids are generated when servicing motor vehicles
like automobiles, motorcycles, buses. trucks, trains, farm machinery,
airplanes, recreational vehicles, and boats. Motor vehicle wastewater
disposal systems commonly receive waste fluids from floor drains, shop
sinks, and areas where vehicles are serviced or stored. The waste from these
disposal systems endangers drinking water sources since they often contain
contaminants like solvents, fuels, lubricants or coolants. Poor waste fluid
management practices may also create an environmental liability problem.

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What are you
S
required by law to do?
Subsurface wastewater disposal systems must be registered with or
permitted by your state. If you do not have permission to discharge
commercial or industrial wastewater or sewage to ‘our business’s
disposal system, call your state contact listed below.
• Federal and state law prohibit the discharge of hazardous wastes to a
subsurface wastewater disposal system. Report any hazardous
substances discharged to your business’s wastewater disposal system
to your state contact listed below.
• Federal law prohibits the construction of new subsurface wastewater
disposal systems used to discharge motor vehicle wastes. All existing
motor vehicle vastewater disposal systems must be permitted or closed.
• Federal law prohibits the construction of new cesspools that have
the capacity to serve 20 or more people per day. The law also
requires that all existing regulated cesspools must be closed,
Why Are Class V Injection Wells a
New England Drinking Water Concern?
In New England, these disposal systems pose potential risk to
underground sources of drinking water because:
• They are often located near public and private drinking water supplies
• They are sometimes used to dispose of a wide range of non-hazardous
and hazardous wastes
• Fluid wastes discharged underground can contaminate drinking
water sources

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Who Regulates ‘Ihese Systems
and Whom Should You Contact?
Each New England State is authorized to regulate
subsurface wastewater disDosal systems.
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Contact State Programs at:
CTDEP NHDES
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(860) 424-3000 (603) 271-2975
MEDEP RIDEM
(207)287-3901 (401 ’ 222-6800
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MADEP VT DEC
(617)292-5500 (802)241-3808

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For More Information on Drinking Water
Protection Contact Your State Drinking Water
Source Protection Program:
Connecticut Dept. of
Public Health
Lori Mathieu
(860) 424-3020
Massachusetts Dept. of
Environmental Protection
Kathleen Romero
(617) 292-5727
Maine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention
Andrews Tolman
(207) 287-6196
New Hampshire Dept. of
Environmental Services
Paul Susca
(603) 271-7061
Rhode Island Dept. of
Environmental Management
Ernie Panciera
(401) 222-4700
Vermont Dept. of
Environmental Conservation
Rodney Pingree
(802) 241-3418
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For more information contact EPA New England:
Ted Lavery
(617) 918-1683
laveryted@epa.gov
Videos and workbooks
which include case studies about businesses working to protect drinking
water sources are available at:
www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater/h2o_supplierbiz.htmj
To request assistance from EPA New England’s
Pollution Prevention Program contact:
Thomas D’Avanzo
(617 918-1801
davanzo.thomas@epa.gov
www. epa.gov/ne/assistance
Special Incentives for Small Businesses
Small businesses can avoid costly penalties while protecting drinking water
by identif ring, promptly reporting and correcting any environmental
violations found during on-site compliance assistance
or a self-audit.
For more information contact:
Dwight Peavey
(617) 918-1829
peavev.dwighr@epa.gov
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