SAFE DRINKING . WATER H*TLINE FY 2009 3rd Quarter Report Water Lines SOW Hotline Report In This Issue What's New DidYou Know Quarterly Trend Frequently Asked Qs & As.. Hotline Stats 6 Appendix A 10 Top Ten Caller Topics ... , Percent of Topic Dumber of Total- Questions Quesfons Consumer Confidence Reports Local DW Quality Tap Water Testing MCL List SDWA HWTUs Lead PWS Complaints Cryptosporidium Bottled Water 882 837 667 556 487 391 289 262 247 210 12% 11% 9% 8% 7% 5% 4% 4% 3% 3% *A total of 7,331 questions from callers were answered by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter of FY2009. ^Citizens who obtain their drinking water from private household wells asked 13 percent of the tap water testing questions. Calls and ECSS Questions and Comments Calls*** 2,747 ECSS Questions**** 209 Total 2,956 ***A single call may generate multiple questions. **** Questions registered through EPA's Enterprise Customer Service Solution knowledge base at the OGWDW Web site. Published Quarterly See past reports at http://intranet.epa.qov/ow/hotline Safe Drinking Water Hotline: National Toll-free No.: (800) 426-4791 For More Information Contact: Harriet Hubbard, EPA Project Officer (202) 564-4621 Operated by The Track Group / Booz Allen Hamilton Under Contract #GS-23F-0135N/1140 What's New New Publications/Resources: The Ground Water Rule (GWR) Implementation Guidance (EPA816-R-09-004) is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/qwr/compliancehelp.html. Ground Water Rule Triggered and Representative Source Water Monitoring Guidance Manual (EPA815-R-09-003) is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/gwr/compliancehelp.html. Summary of EPA Webinars on Financial Responsibility for Geologic Sequestration Wells (EPA815-D-09-001) is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells seguestration.html#webcasts. Calendar: What? Science Advisory Board Drinking Water Committee; Total Coliform Rule Revision Science Advisory Board Drinking Water Committee; Total Coliform Rule Revision Public Meeting; Equitable Considerations for Small Systems Public Meeting; Total Coliform Rule, Geologic Sequestration, Aircraft Drinking Water Rule Where? Teleconference Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Seattle, Washington When? 5/20/2009 6/9/2009 5/20/2009 5/27/2009 - 5/28/2009 More Information http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/ (74 FR 20297; May 1, 2009) http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/ (74 FR 20297; May 1, 2009) http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/ (74 FR 2 1363; May 7, 2009) http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/ (74 FR 22540; May 13, 2009) Did You Know? On average, an American household uses about 260 gallons per day, but this amount climbs to around 1,000 gallons per day during peak water use season with some households using as much as 3,000 gallons a day. (US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/watersense/water/peak.htm; August 3, 2009) ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 Quarterly Trend Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call Volume 8000 n 7000 1000 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 Time Period -Calls Received During Operating Hours -Calls Answered -Calls Received During Closed Hours The above graph shows the number of calls received during operating hours, the number of calls received during closed hours, and the number of calls answered by Hotline Information Specialists. As in every quarter, the difference in the number of calls received during operating hours and the calls answered by Information Specialists can be attributed to several reasons. Many callers choose to disconnect the call, while others receive the information they need from one of the phone system messages, thus never speaking with an Information Specialist. Others may have elected to be transferred directly to the Water Systems Council (WSC). During the 3rd Quarter of 2009, 603 callers chose to be transferred directly to the WSC and Hotline phone tree messages were listened to over 2,500 times. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 Safe Drinking Water ECSS Interface Sessions 120,000 100,000 CO I 80,000 '$> w 60,000 14— o J5 40,000 2 20,000 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 Time Period • ECSS Sessions • ECSS Answers Viewed Internet users initiated just over 26,000 sessions on the Safe Drinking Water ECSS Interface (safewater.custhelp.com') during the 3rd quarter of 2009. A session is defined as, "the use of the end-user pages. A session ends when the end-user, submits an Ask a Question request, leaves the end-user pages, or a two-hour period of time has elapsed, whichever comes first". During the 3rd quarter of 2009, over 40,000 answers were viewed. The most frequently viewed answer with 565 views, was to the question, "How can I get my tap water tested?" The second most popular answer viewed with 541 views was to the question "How long can bottled water be stored?" Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 This section provides answers to frequently asked questions not necessarily represented in one of the Top Ten Topic categories. Q: What is the federal standard for chloride in drinking water? A: There is no federally enforceable standard (i.e., Maximum Contaminant Level) for chloride in drinking water. However, EPA did set a recommended standard for chloride levels in drinking water at 250 mg/L. Drinking water with chloride levels above 250mg/L may exhibit a salty taste. Secondary standards or Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) are developed to protect the aesthetic quality of water, such as taste, odor, color, and appearance. SMCLs are non- enforceable guidelines that states may choose to implement. Contact your state drinking water office to determine if your state set an enforceable chloride level in drinking water. State drinking water office contact information is available by clicking on your state at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo. Q: What is the federal standard for pH in drinking water? A: There is no federally enforceable standard (i.e., Maximum Contaminant Level) for pH in drinking water. EPA set a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) or recommended range for pH in drinking water of 6.5 to 8.5. SMCLs are developed to protect the aesthetic quality of water, such as taste, odor, color, and appearance. SMCLs are non-enforceable guidelines that states may choose to implement. Contact your state drinking water office to determine if your state set an enforceable pH level in drinking water. State drinking water office contact information is available by clicking on your state at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo. Q: EPA Method 524.2 is an approved method for analyzing Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (40 CFR 141.131(b)(1)). Must water samples being analyzed for TTHMs using EPA Method 524.2 be acidified with hydrochloric acid at the time of collection? A: Samples being analyzed for TTHMs where sodium thiosulfate is used as the dechlorinating agent do not need to be acidified with hydrochloric acid at the time of collection. However, if ascorbic acid is used as the dechlorinating agent, then the samples must be acidified at the time of collection. The water system should check with the laboratory to see which dechlorinating agent the lab is using when the sample bottles are prepared. When EPA Method 524.2 is used for VOC samples, then it is necessary to acidify the samples at the time of collection. Q: The Long Term 2 Enhance Surface Water Treatment Rule allows systems to receive Cryptosporidium treatment credit by meeting the conditions for one of several microbial toolbox options (40 CFR 141.715). If a water system chooses the membrane filter option, must all the water pass through the filter? A: Yes. All the water has to pass through the membrane filter to receive the credit. Q: Is my water system supplying fluoridated drinking water? A: The best source of information on fluoride levels in your water is your local water utility. All water utilities must provide their consumers with a Consumer Confidence Report that provides information on a system's water quality, including its fluoridation level. The state drinking water administrator or state oral health program also should be able to help you identify the fluoride level of your drinking water. In addition, the Center for Disease Control offers the "My Water's Fluoride" database, which allows consumers in currently participating states to learn the fluoridation status of their water system. You can access this database at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/lndex.asp. The information provided for the water system will detail if it provides fluoridated water, and may note whether the fluoride is from natural sources or if the fluoride levels are adjusted with a fluoride additive. Q: What types of materials should be used for a rain water collection system? A: Provided the rainwater is for non-drinking water purposes, virtually any materials can be used in the collection system. However, if the rainwater will also be used to meet the potable water needs of a home's residents, it is important that the homeowner use care in selecting materials and coatings which will come into contact with the water as it is collected, since some impurities can be picked up by the rainwater as it travels through the collection system. For additional guidance on creating a rain water collection system, please visit NSF International's Web site at www.nsf.org/consumer/rainwater collection/index.asp?p rogram=WaterTre. Q: Is the H1N1 virus (i.e., swine flu virus) destroyed during standard drinking water treatment processes? A: Yes. H1N1 and other influenza viruses are easily disrupted by standard water treatment processes. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 USDA and EPA have concluded that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are effective at deactivating the virus at temperatures as low as 5° Centigrade. Q: EPA's Emergency Disinfection of Water Web site (www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html'), notes that granular calcium hypochlorite can be used to disinfect drinking water during an emergency. Where can you purchase granular calcium hypochlorite? A: EPA does not have a list of retailers of granular calcium hypochlorite; however, NSF International, a not- for-profit, non-governmental organization, maintains a list of contact information for manufacturers of calcium hypochlorite (www.nsf.org/Certified/PwsChemicals/). Individuals can contact the manufacturers for information on retailers selling their product. The NSF Water Treatment and Distribution Systems Program is responsible for the certification of drinking water treatment chemicals to ensure that these products do not contribute contaminants to drinking water that could cause adverse health effects. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 Quarterly Summary of Hotline Service Total number of calls connecting to Hotline. 1 1 ,007 Total number of calls answered 2,747 ECSS comments and questions requiring a response 209 Average wait time (in seconds) :78 Percent of calls satisfied immediately 100% Percent of all calls answered in < 5 min 96.39% Percent of callbacks answered in 5 days 1 00% Number of times callers were transferred to the WSC Wellcare Hotline 603 Number of times callers listened to recorded message about CCRs 800 Number of times callers listened to recorded message about local drinking water quality for PWS customers 553 Number of times callers listened to recorded message about tap water testing and quality for household well owners 363 Number of times callers listened to recorded message about tap water testing for PWS customers 827 Comparison to Previous Quarter Calls ECSS Questions Answered and Comments 3rd Quarter FY 2009 2,747 209 2nd Quarter FY 2009 1,563 177 Top Ten Referrals Inquiry Referred to: "J"**^ Toter^ Keterrais Referra,s Local Water System 615 26% State Laboratory Certification Officer 506 21% State Public Water System Supervisor 356 15% NSF/WQA/UL 289 12% EPA Internet 180 7% FDA/I BWA 78 3% Other 60 2% AGWT/WSC 59 2% Local Public Health 38 2% Other Hotlines 25 1% *A total of 2,406 referrals to other resources, agencies, and organizations were provided by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter of FY 2009. Caller Profiles Customer Analytical Laboratories Citizen - Private Well Citizen - PWS Consultants/lndustry/Trade (DW) Consultants/lndustry/Trade (Other) Environmental Groups EPA Other Federal Agency Government, Local Government, State Government, Tribal Spanish Speaking International Media Medical Professional Public Water System Schools/University Other TOTALS Calls 9 171 1977 62 20 1 16 4 3 26 0 57 0 2 2 118 19 259 2,747 ECSS Activities T . Number of Questions oplc and Comments Arsenic Bottled Water Compliance/Issues (PWS) Consumer Concerns Contaminants and Standards Definitions Facts, Figures, and Databases Household Wells Other Local Drinking Water Quality Long Term 2 ESWT Rule Security Source Water Protection Stage 2 D/DBP Rule Tap Water Testing Underground Injection Cntrl TOTALS 11 2 16 31 17 5 9 16 59 17 2 1 7 3 5 8 209 Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 Caller Question Topics Microbials/Disinfection Byproducts Chlorine Coliforms Cryptosporidium Disinfection/Disinfection Byproducts (Other) Long Term 2 ESWTR Other Microbials Stage 2 D/DBPR Surface Water Treatment (SWTR, ESWTR, LT1FBR) Trihalomethane (THM) Home Water Disinfection Home Water Storage Inorganic Chemicals (IOC)/Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOC) Arsenic Fluoride Methyl-fert/a/y-butyl-ether(MTBE) Perchlorate Phase I, II &V Sodium Monitoring Sulfate Lead and Copper Copper Lead Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA)/Lead Ban Radionuclides Radionuclides (Other) Radionuclides (Radon) Secondary DW Regulations Secondary DW Regulations SDWA Background/Overview Definitions & Applicability MCL List Other Background SDWA Topics Number of Questions 110 209 247 39 11 140 20 8 54 74 5 66 64 2 10 12 5 9 100 289 21 20 58 185 122 556 246 487 Topics Water on Tap Number of Questions 0 Other DW Regulations Analytical Methods (DW) Contaminant Candidate List/ Drinking Water Priority List Consumer Confidence Report (DW) DW Primacy (PWS) Operator (PWS) Certification Other Drinking Water Security Public Notification (PWS) Security Planning Grants State Revolving Fund (DW) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) 47 6 882 60 5 16 190 0 4 25 Other Drinking Water Additives Program Bottled Water Complaints about PWS Compliance & Enforcement (PWS) Home Water Treatment Units Infrastructure/Cap. Development Local DW Quality Tap Water Testing Treatment/BATs (DW) Pharmaceuticals 7 210 262 151 391 7 837 667 41 23 Drinking Water Source Protection Ground Water Rule Sole Source Aquifer Source Water/Wellhead Protection UIC Program Carbon Sequestration 14 0 11 21 2 Out of Purview Household Wells Non-Environmental Non-EPA Environmental Other EPA (Programs) TOTALS 133 24 47 79 7,331 EPA DISCLAIMER Answers to questions in the Safe Drinking Water Hotline quarterly report are intended to be purely informational and are based on SDWA provisions, EPA regulations, guidance, and established policy effective at the time of publication. The answers given reflect EPA staffs best judgment at the time and do not represent a final or official EPA interpretation. This report does not substitute for the applicable provisions of statutes and regulations, guidance, etc., nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community. An answer to a question in this report may be revised at any time to reflect EPA's revisions to existing regulations, changes in EPA's approach to interpreting its regulations or statutory authority, or for other reasons. EPA may provide a different answer to a question in this report in the future. Also, an answer provided in this report may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. Any decisions regarding a particular case will be made based on the applicable statutes and regulations. Therefore, interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of an answer in this report to a particular situation, and EPA will consider whether or not the recommendations or interpretations in the answer are accurate and appropriate in that situation. The information in this report is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 ECSS Service Summary Date 2009/04/01 2009/04/02 2009/04/03 2009/04/04 2009/04/05 2009/04/06 2009/04/07 2009/04/08 2009/04/09 2009/04/10 2009/04/11 2009/04/12 2009/04/13 2009/04/14 2009/04/15 2009/04/16 2009/04/17 2009/04/18 2009/04/19 2009/04/20 2009/04/21 2009/04/22 2009/04/23 2009/04/24 2009/04/25 2009/04/26 2009/04/27 2009/04/28 2009/04/29 2009/04/30 2009/05/01 2009/05/02 2009/05/03 2009/05/04 2009/05/05 2009/05/06 2009/05/07 2009/05/08 2009/05/09 2009/05/10 2009/05/11 2009/05/12 2009/05/13 2009/05/14 2009/05/15 2009/05/16 2009/05/17 2009/05/18 2009/05/19 2009/05/20 2009/05/21 2009/05/22 2009/05/23 Searches 47 59 38 7 25 57 16 33 56 18 12 51 20 93 36 25 48 32 18 37 67 58 32 63 1 9 42 31 22 24 46 5 10 50 31 36 36 82 3 7 37 32 16 15 13 3 22 26 40 24 14 24 7 Answers Viewed 188 1027 1022 49 61 573 546 981 128 120 62 74 124 195 114 134 1063 79 113 178 169 155 131 1010 83 67 688 185 626 110 527 43 92 211 135 137 159 116 64 85 993 138 545 100 997 50 75 136 130 1458 86 120 92 Sessions 122 207 193 49 87 168 126 191 92 115 64 80 129 156 148 154 373 107 87 195 191 172 137 571 98 88 215 175 200 134 135 49 95 195 149 146 171 168 112 100 234 197 192 136 201 97 102 214 167 1507 147 172 113 Hits 390 1266 1238 79 185 751 676 1229 267 211 122 171 245 412 256 241 1427 184 187 367 361 370 274 1157 149 127 957 351 794 184 690 73 175 390 260 254 334 300 146 138 1274 311 769 198 1180 149 186 338 324 1627 231 331 155 Web Questions 4 1 1 1 1 2 0 5 2 3 0 1 5 1 3 2 3 4 1 4 3 7 4 1 2 1 4 1 1 0 0 1 4 0 2 0 3 0 2 1 4 4 3 0 1 1 3 1 0 2 1 3 1 Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- 3rd Quarter FY 2009 Date 2009/05/24 2009/05/25 2009/05/26 2009/05/27 2009/05/28 2009/05/29 2009/05/30 2009/05/31 2009/06/01 2009/06/02 2009/06/03 2009/06/04 2009/06/05 2009/06/06 2009/06/07 2009/06/08 2009/06/09 2009/06/10 2009/06/11 2009/06/12 2009/06/13 2009/06/14 2009/06/15 2009/06/16 2009/06/17 2009/06/18 2009/06/19 2009/06/20 2009/06/21 2009/06/22 2009/06/23 2009/06/24 2009/06/25 2009/06/26 2009/06/27 2009/06/28 2009/06/29 2009/06/30 Total Searches 10 19 72 37 23 48 1 5 47 58 53 64 89 11 17 56 59 48 37 54 7 24 40 58 78 73 44 12 13 57 14 40 40 42 15 24 42 32 3,119 Answers Viewed 87 118 235 201 535 581 90 88 619 647 330 277 440 388 157 1111 1136 233 1036 584 79 68 2389 1575 672 1864 248 74 72 1794 1731 769 741 1758 113 121 244 729 40,478 Sessions 95 124 219 236 573 599 96 104 255 685 338 291 268 164 137 308 350 247 1078 631 88 90 1588 821 710 953 250 66 76 841 818 815 765 806 103 109 263 759 26,342 Hits 131 235 424 475 695 767 140 185 853 880 554 547 745 534 249 1325 1430 407 1235 771 142 149 2714 1876 935 2352 457 127 138 2034 1963 955 922 1986 199 210 423 888 55,513 Web Questions 0 2 1 7 7 5 0 2 2 2 4 3 5 1 2 3 3 2 3 5 0 1 3 2 6 3 4 1 2 2 6 2 4 2 0 3 1 3 209 Searches: The number of searches performed. Answers Viewed: The total number of times Answers were viewed. This represents the number of Answer pages viewed. That is, if only one Answer was selected, but it was viewed ten times, the Answers Viewed value would be ten. Sessions: The number of sessions for the time unit specified. A session is use of the end-user pages. A session ends when the end-user submits an Ask a Question request, leaves the end-user pages, or a two-hour period of time has elapsed, whichever comes first. Hits: The number of page turns during the time period selected for the report. Web Questions: The number of questions generated from an Ask a Question request. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report ------- SAFE DRINKING WATER HOTLINE QUARTERLY REPORT 3rd Quarter FY 2009 APPENDIX A: FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARIES APPENDIX A: FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARIES FINAL RULES "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Minor Correction to Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Changes in References to Analytical Methods" June 29, 2009 (74 FR 30953) In this action, EPA announced its intent to make a minor correction to the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR) and minor, unrelated, editorial changes in references to analytical methods in the regulations. EPA promulgated the Stage 2 DBPR on January 4, 2006. This rule will require public water systems (PWSs) serving 500 - 9,999 people to monitor for both total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid. In addition, EPA is also making minor, unrelated changes in the regulations by adding references to the list of analytical methods approved under the Expedited Approval Process, removing references to outdated methods, and specifying a new source for the publication entitled, "Technical Notes on Drinking Water Methods." The effective date of this rulemaking is July 29, 2009. PROPOSED RULES "Spring 2009 Regulatory Agenda" May 11, 2009 (74 FR 21992) EPA publishes the semiannual regulatory agenda to update the public about regulations and major policies currently under development, reviews of existing regulations and major policies, and rules and major policies completed or canceled since the last agenda. The Spring 2009 Regulatory Agenda included the following upcoming drinking water actions: Revisions to the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Requirements for Class V Wells (Section 610 Review) and National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Radon. NOTICES "Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Projects With Debt Incurred on or After October 1, 2008 and Before February 17, 2009 That Are Refinanced Through the Clean or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds Using Assistance Provided Under ARRA" April 7, 2009 (74 FR 15722) EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for eligible projects for which debt was incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and before February 17, 2009, the date of enactment of ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 10 ------- manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under section 1605(a). The effective date of this rulemaking is April 1, 2009. "Agency Information Collection Activities OMB Responses" April 15, 2009 (74 FR 17479) This document announces the OMB responses to Agency Clearance requests, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Specifically, ICR Number 0270.43, "Public Water System Supervision Program (Renewal)," was approved on March 30, 2009. This ICR, OMB Number 2040 - 0090, is set to expire on March 31, 2012. In addition, OMB filled comment on ICR Number 2336.01, "Turbidity Monitoring Requirements for Construction Sites Regulated by the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Point Source Category (Proposed Rule)," on March 27, 2009. Lastly, ICR number 2097.05, "The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule," OMB Number 2040 - 0266, was extended. This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2009. "Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule State Approved Program Revision Approval: State of North Dakota" April 20, 2009 (74 FR 17958) This notice announces EPA's approval, under regulations for cross-media electronic reporting, of the State of North Dakota's request to revise their EPA-authorized National Primary Drinking Water Regulations Implementation authorized program to allow electronic reporting of specific reports; this notice also announces an opportunity to request a public hearing on this action. EPA's approval is effective on May 20, 2009 if no timely request for a public hearing is received and accepted by the Agency. "Tentative Approval and Solicitation of Request for a Public Hearing for Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" April 30, 2009 (74 FR 19957) Notice is hereby given that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision Program to adopt EPA's Ground Water Rule. EPA has determined that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve these program revisions. All interested parties may request a public hearing. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, this determination shall become final and effective June 1,2009. "Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public Teleconference and Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Drinking Water Committee" May 1, 2009 (74 FR 20297) Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 11 ------- EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces two meetings of the SAB Drinking Water Committee (DWC): a public teleconference and a face-to-face meeting to review the Agency's draft supporting analysis for the proposed revised Total Coliform Rule. The SAB will hold the public teleconference on May 20, 2009 that will begin at 1 P.M. and end at 4 P.M. EST. A face-to-face meeting will be held on June 9, 2009 from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. EST and will continue on June 10, 2009 from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. EST. "Small Drinking Water System Variances and Other Approaches for the Equitable Consideration of Small System Customers Stakeholder Meeting" May 7, 2009 (74 FR 21363) EPA is giving notice of a public meeting to discuss policies to assure equitable treatment of small drinking water system customers. These policies include small drinking water system variance methodologies and alternative strategies. This meeting is open to the public and will provide a forum for public discussion on potential changes to EPA's existing small drinking water system variance determination methodology as well as to discuss alternative compliance strategies (e.g., capacity development and utilization of provisions of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund such as disadvantaged community loan subsidies) that could be considered. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. EST. "Meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council - Notice of Public Meeting" May 13, 2009 (74 FR 22540) Under Section 10(a)(2) of Public Law 92-423, "The Federal Advisory Committee Act," notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC), established under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.). The Council will consider various issues associated with drinking water protection and small PWSs. The Council will also receive updates about several on-going activities including rulemakings related to the Total Coliform Rule, Geologic Sequestration, and the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule and efforts underway to help the water sector improve their resiliency to potential effects of climate change. The Council meeting will be held on May 27 and 28, 2009, from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. EST, each day. "Agency Information Collection Activities OMB Responses" May 14, 2009 (74 FR 22740) This document announced the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) responses to Agency clearance requests, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Specifically, Information Collection Request (ICR) Number 1895.04, "Microbial Rules (Renewal)," was approved on April 17, 2009. This ICR, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0205, expires April 30,2012. "Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 12 ------- Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2067.04, OMB Control No. 2040 - 0246" May 18, 2009 (74 FR 23186) EPA announced that the following ICR has been forwarded to OMB for review and approval: "Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal)," ICR Number 2067.04, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0246. The current expiration date for this ICR is May 31, 2009. Comments must be received by June 17, 2009. "State Allotment Percentages for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program" May 28, 2009 (74 FR 25531) EPA is announcing the revised Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) allotments that will be provided to the States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, American Indian Tribes, and Alaska Native Villages if the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2010 is enacted. These allotments reflect the results from EPA's most recent Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which was released on March 26, 2009. The revised state allotment percentages will be the basis for distributing the DWSRF program appropriations to the States for the four years from Fiscal Years 2010 through 2013. This notice is effective May 28, 2009. "Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Projects that Solicited Bids on or after October 1, 2008 and prior to February 17, 2009 that are Financed through the Clean or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds using Assistance Provided under ARRA" June 2, 2009 (74 FR 26397) EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for eligible projects that solicited bids on or after October 1, 2008, and prior to February 17, 2009, the date of enactment of ARRA, and that did so in reasonable and prudent, specific anticipation of ARRA funding, or any other source of timely funding. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under section 1605(a). The effective date of this rulemaking is May 22, 2009. "Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for de minimis Incidental Components of Projects Financed Through the Clean or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds Using Assistance Provided Under ARRA" June 2, 2009 (74 FR 26398) EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for de minimis incidental components of eligible water infrastructure projects funded by ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods when they occur in de Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 13 ------- minimis incidental components of such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under section 1605(a). The effective date of this rulemaking is May 22, 2009. "Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of Information Collection; Comment Request; Agency Information Collection Activities Supporting the Second Cycle of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring in Public Water Systems; EPA ICR No. 2192.03, OMB Control No. 2040 - 0270" June 9, 2009 (74 FR 27311) EPA announced its plans to submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: "Agency Information Collection Activities Supporting the Second Cycle of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring in Public Water Systems," ICR Number 2192.03, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0270. The current expiration date for this ICR is November 30, 2009. Comments must be received by August 10, 2009. "Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Critical Public Information Needs During Drinking Water Emergencies (New); EPA ICR No. 2322.01, OMB Control No. 2080 - NEW" June 17, 2009 (74 FR 28695) EPA announced its plans to submit the following new ICR to OMB for review and approval: "Critical Public Information Needs during Drinking Water Emergencies (New)," ICR Number 2322.01, OMB Control Number 2080 - NEW. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection. Comments must be submitted on or before August 17, 2009. "Public Water Supply Supervision Program; Program Revision for the State of Idaho" June 23, 2009 (74 FR 29697) The State of Idaho has revised its approved State Public Water Supply Supervision Primacy Program. Idaho has adopted regulations analogous to EPA's Variance and Exemptions Rule, Stage 2 DBPR, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Ground Water Rule, and Lead and Copper Short - Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications Rule. EPA has determined that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to approve these State program revisions. All interested parties may request a public hearing. If a substantial request for a public hearing is made to the Regional Administrator by July 23, 2009, a public hearing will be held. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on her own motion, this determination shall become final and effective on July 23, 2009. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 14 ------- CONSENT DECREES "Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Clean Air Act" April 16, 2009 (74 FR 17688) This notice announced that on April 13, 2009, a proposed Consent Decree in United States, et al. v. INVISTA, S.ar.l, Civil Action Number 1:09 - cv - 00244, was lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Comments must be received by May 16, 2009. Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 15 ------- |