Region 8 Tribal Drinking Water Monthly Newsletter July, 2022 Announcement: ITCA Tribal Operator of the Year Award The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) is requesting nominations for the 2022 Tribal Water/Wastewater Operator of the Year Award. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination to show appreciation for the quality and integrity of the work done by an operator of a Tribal water or wastewater system that is located within the ITCA National Tribal Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Program service area, which includes USEPA Regions 5 through 10, Nominations should be submitted by those who have personally witnessed the great work of the operator being nominated. Click here to submit a nomination. THIS MONTH Announcement: ITCA Tribal Operator of the Year Award Funding: EPA Announces $18 Million for Training and Technical Assistance for Small, Rural, and Tribal Wastewater Improvements Announcement: Tribal Systems Scheduled for a Sanitary Survey This Year Explanation: Managing the Replacement of Asbestos Cement Pipe Upcoming Webinars Upcoming Regulatory Deadlines Key EPA Contacts Funding: EPA Announces $18 Million for Training and Technical Assistance for Small, Rural, and Tribal Wastewater Improvements EPA recently announced up to $18 Million in available federal funding to build the pipeline of Technical Assistance (TA) providers that can serve rural, small and Tribal municipalities through the Clean Water Act Prevention, Reduction, and Elimination of Pollution Grant Program. This investment delivers on President Biden's Justice40 initiative and will support TA providers to help utilities improve vital wastewater management that is essential to healthy communities. This funding will also elevate impact from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding available to small, rural, and Tribal communities. This grant program highlights EPA's priorities to advance equity, address climate change, and to help bridge the gap between community needs and federal funding. EPA is seeking applications from organizations with experience delivering results-oriented technical assistance to rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned wastewater systems and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Once selected, grantees will provide technical assistance in the following areas: • Acquisition of financing and funding; ------- • Protection of water quality and compliance assistance; • Tribal wastewater systems; • Decentralized wastewater systems; and • Lagoon wastewater systems. The agency is holding an informational webinar on July 27, 3 p.m. ET, which will provide an overview of the funding and include an opportunity to submit questions. The webinar presentation will be recorded, and EPA will post the recording and slides online after the webinar. Registration is open here- Direct link to Grants.gov. Eligible applicants must submit their complete application package by August 22 at 11:59pm ET to be considered. For more information about this program and this funding announcement, visit: https://www.epa.gov/small-and-rural-wastewater-systems/tools-training-and-technical-assistance- small-and-rural Announcement: Tribal Systems Scheduled for a Sanitary Survey This Year The following systems are scheduled to receive a sanitary survey this year. These surveys involve an on-site assessment of all aspects of your water system and are designed to uncover areas of improvement to the water system that should be remedied. These surveys are conducted by EPA staff, IHS staff, or EPA contracted staff. If your system is on this list, expect to be contacted by your surveyor a few weeks prior to the survey. 080890001 - IGNACIO-SOUTHERN UTE RURAL 083090075 - ROCKY BOY RURAL WATER 084690474 - KYLE WATER SYSTEM 080890002 - LAKE CAPOTE RECREATION ARE 083090097 - RISING SUN PIZZA 084690475 - PINE RIDGE WATER SYSTEM 083090002 - BLACKFEET DORM. WATER SYST 083090098 - KIPS BEER GARDEN 084690481 - ALLEN WATER SYSTEM 083090009 - HEART BUTTE SCHOOL 083090303 - EAST BAY SUBDIVISION 084690483 - WOLF CREEK WATER SYSTEM 083090010 - ST MARY KOA 083090305 - CHIEF MARTIN CHARLO HOMESIT 084690485 - PINE RIDGE HOSPITAL 083090011 - CROW AGENCY WATER SYSTEM 083090307 - ALLARD'S STAGE STOP 084690498 - MILK'S CAMP WATER SYSTEM 083090012 - PRYOR WATER SYSTEM 083090309 - BIG ARM WATER SYSTEM 084690528 - ROSEBUD RURAL WATER SYSTE 083090014 - WYOLA WATER SYSTEM 083890023 - BELCOURT-TURTLE MTN RURAL 084690532 - MISSION WATER SYSTEM 083090021 - CLARICE PAUL WATER SYSTEM 083890025 - SPIRIT LAKE WATER MANAGEME 084690533 - MARTY WATER SYSTEM 083090024 - ELMO WATER SYSTEM 083890026 - DAKOTA MAGIC CASINO 084690534 - LAKE ANDES TRIBAL HOUSING W 083090028 - S&K ELECTRONICS 083890029 - NEWTOWN, CITY OF 084690535 - WAGNER NORTH HOUSING WATE 083090032 - TURTLE LAKE WATER SYSTEM 083890032 - TRAYNOR PARK 084690536 - WAGNER SOUTH HOUSING WATE 083090036 - PACHE WATER SYSTEM 083890033 - BRENDLES BAY INC 084990002 - URIAH HEEPS SPRING WATER SYS 083090041 - FORT BELKNAP AGENCY WATER 083890036 - BLACK TIGER BAY RV PARK 084990003 - WHITEROCKS WATER SYSTEM 083090047 - MNIHNAPA WATER SYSTEM 083890037 - STONE RIDGE CAMPGROUND 084990009 - BONANZA WATER SYSTEM 083090048 - ST. PAULS MISSION SCHOOL WAT 084690020-ST. FRANCIS 085690017 - CROWHEART STORE 083090057 - BROCKTON, TOWN OF 084690465 - FLANDREAU BIA SCHOOL 084690033 - SUNRISE (new) 083090061 - ASHLAND COMMUNITY WATER S 084690468 - CRAZY HORSE SCHOOL 083890040 - SELFRIDGE, CITY OF 083090063 - BUSBY COMMUNITY WATER SYS 084690471 - WANBLEE WATER SYSTEM 084690032 - RED ROCKS (New) 083090066 - NORTHERN CHEYENNE YOUTH S 084690472 - POTATO CREEK WATER SYSTEM 083890041 - SOLEN, CITY OF ------- Explanation: Managing the Replacement of Asbestos Cement Pipe The use of asbestos cement (AC) pipe (or transite pipe) in drinking water distribution systems was once common in the U.S. It was installed as early as the 1930s with the peak of installation and use between the 1950s and 1960s. EPA estimates that 15% of water distribution pipes are asbestos cement. Due to the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, the EPA attempted to ban all asbestos containing products on the market in 1989. While that was ultimately overturned, the use of AC pipe was largely discontinued at the end of the last century due to health concerns associated with the manufacturing process and the possible release of asbestos fibers from deteriorated pipes. In 2019, the EPA promulgated a Significant New Use Rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act to ensure that any discontinued uses of asbestos cannot re-enter the marketplace without EPA review, including asbestos cement pipe and fittings. Much of our drinking water infrastructure has reached or is nearing the end of its useful life and approaching the age at which it needs to be replaced. AC pipe has a Photo credit: Colorado Hazard Control, LLC. typical design life of 50 years. As AC pipes are managed and replaced, special care is required to prevent the release of hazardous asbestos fibers. The Asbestos National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), 40 CFR Part 61, subpart M, sets forth requirements intended to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during renovation and demolition activities involving the handling of asbestos. Prior to the renovation or demolition of a facility, including activities involving AC pipe, the Asbestos NESHAP requires the removal of all regulated asbestos- containing material (RACM). RACM includes any existing friable asbestos material or material which would likely become friable during the course of the planned demolition or renovation operations. That is, any asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure must be safely removed prior to conducting activities that would break up, dislodge, or similarly disturb the material or preclude access to the material for subsequent removal. Pipe replacement is considered a renovation activity which is subject to these requirements. Conventional and acceptable work practices to replace AC pipe include open-cut trench and abandonment in place. Open trenching is the practice under which the entire AC pipe is excavated, wet-cut into 6- and 8-foot sections using a snap cutter or similar tool, wrapped for containment, and removed for disposition at an approved disposal location. Asbestos cement pipes may also be abandoned in place, with the new pipeline laid in a separate area. While pipe bursting and breaking are popular methods for various types of pipe replacement projects in general, pipe bursting or breaking AC pipe is 6 not permitted under the Asbestos NESHAP. Pipe bursting or breaking of AC pipe renders the AC pipe friable, leaving friable pipe fragments, consisting of RACM, underground. This method does not comply with the requirements of the asbestos NESHAP and has not been approved by EPA. EPA has approved a closed trench method for AC pipe replacement, which may be used as an alternative to the open-cut trench and abandonment in place approaches allowed under the Asbestos NESHAP. This EPA- approved alternative work practice standard is known as Close Tolerance Pipe Slurrification (CTPS). CTPS utilizes trenchless technology and does not leave friable asbestos in the ground. CTPS involves grinding the AC pipe while simultaneously injecting fluid to form a liquid cement slurry which is vacuumed out through vertical access points. The new pipe is pulled into the existing pipe cavity directly behind the grinding ------- apparatus. A skim coat of nonfriable cementitious asbestos-containing material is left and solidifies on the outside rim of the new pipe. For more information on the CTPS method see the Notice of Final Approval for an Alternative Work Practice Standard for Asbestos Cement Pipe Replacement page at https://www.epa.gov/stationarvsources-air-pollution/notice-finalapproval-alternative-work- practicestandard-asbestos. For more information about the asbestos NESHAP, visit the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) page at https://www.epa.gov/stationarvsources- air-pollution/asbestosnational-emission-standardshazardous-air-pollutants. If you have any questions, please contact the Chemical Phase ll/V Rule Manager Kendra Morrison, at morrison.kendra@epa.gov or (303) 312-6145. *This article was originally published in Region 8's annual newsletter, available here. Upcoming Webinars Title Descriptions Date Registration Asset Management and Utility Finance Training Course The Asset Management and Water Utility Finance training course will focus on asset management, building an asset management plan, and water utility finance principles using life cycle cost analysis of capital costs, operations and preventative maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement, and remaining useful life value estimates. In addition, the training will provide an overview of available tools, including alternatives to the Check-Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) software, which has been discontinued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 26-29,9:00 AM -1:00 PM MT Click here Tribal Wastewater Funding Overview Webinar This grant program highlights EPA's priorities to advance equity, address climate change, and to help bridge the gap between community needs and federal funding. EPA is seeking applications from organizations with experience delivering results-oriented technical assistance to rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned wastewater systems and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. July 27, 1 PM MT Click here Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Regulations Online Training The course is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Tribal water operators and other Tribal personnel. This course provides an overview of the Federal August 1 - 29, Every Monday, Wednesday, Click here ------- Course for Tribal Water Operators. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Regulations and the associated regulatory rules, including monitoring, reporting, and public notice requirements. This course will be particularly helpful to water utility personnel that operate water treatment facilities or water distribution systems that are on Tribal lands where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the regulatory primacy agency. Training reference materials will be provided to all registrants that are accepted into this course. Attendees that complete the course requirements will receive written recognition of earned training contact hours based on class participation and homework assignments. Friday, 9 AM ¦ 12 PM Upcoming Regulatory Deadlines (Refer to Tickler for System-Specific Information) Date Event Location Last day of every calendar Last day to collect monthly total Sites approved on your month coliform samples RTCR sample plan 10th of every month Last day for EPA to receive total N/A coliform and DBP samples collected during the previous month Key EPA Contacts Region 8 Tribal Team Nate Delano - Denver, CO Office - 303-312-6318 - delano.nathaniel@epa.gov Emily Gillespie - Helena, MT Office -406-457-5009 - Gillespie.emilv.i(a)epa.gov Joe Faubion - Helena, MT Office - 406-457-5005 - Faubion.iosephffiepa.gov Andrea Griese - Pierre, SD Office - 605-945-1192 - griese.andreaffiepa.gov Other R8 Drinking Water Employee Contact Information Can be Found Here. This newsletter can be viewed online by visiting: https://www.epa.gov/region8-waterops/epa-region-8- tribal-drinking-water-monthly-newsletter. If you would like to be added or removed from this newsletter distribution list, please email delano.nathaniel(a)epa.gov. ------- ------- |