This Week in Washington

December 2, 2005

Water Environment

      Federation^â

          Preserving & Enhancing

          the Global Water Environment

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

EPA Proposes NPDES General Permit for Stormwater from Industrial Activities

In the December 1 Federal Register, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from industrial activity, also referred to as the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The proposed permit (MSGP-2006) will replace the existing permit covering industrial sites in EPA Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 that expired on October 30.  The MSGP provides facility-specific requirements for many types of industrial facilities within one overall permit and outlines steps that facility operators must take prior to being eligible for permit coverage, including development and implementation of a stormwater pollution prevention plan.  EPA is requesting public comments on the proposed permit and the accompanying fact sheet, available at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater, by January 16, 2006.  EPA will hold a public meeting on the proposed MSGP-2006 at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC on December 20. (SRT)

EPA Launches Water Contaminant Information Tool

The Water Security Division of EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water has launched a new database, the Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT). EPA designed the online database to assist users in planning for and responding to threats and incidents of drinking water contamination.  The database currently contains information on 48 water contaminants, including names, availability, fate and transport, health effects and toxicity, medical information, potential water quality and environmental indicators, sampling and analysis, and helpful response advice for utilities. EPA plans to add information on wastewater treatment and infrastructure decontamination in 2006.  WCIT access will be tightly controlled with a password protection feature.  Access will be granted to drinking water and wastewater utilities, state drinking water and wastewater programs, drinking water and wastewater associations, and federal officials (including government laboratory personnel).  To apply for access to WCIT, go to http://www.epa.gov/wcit.  Additional information is available at www.epa.gov/nhsrc. (SRT)

Chesapeake Bay Leaders Adopt Pollution Reduction and Fisheries Management Strategies

On November 29, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted several measures to accelerate the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.  The Executive Council meets annually and is comprised of Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner, U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Washington DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams, and Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair Mike Waugh.  Executive Council members committed to the following initiatives, which they hope will produce immediate and long-term results in the Bay’s health: reducing nutrient pollution from livestock operations, providing regional recommendations for the 2007 Farm Bill, improving upon current fisheries management activities, and expanding Chesapeake Bay stewardship efforts. During the meeting, the Council presented U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns with a report outlining the region's top five priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill. The recommendations are designed to serve as a starting point for further discussions of new ways to improve water quality while strengthening the region's agricultural economy.  The Chesapeake Executive Council was established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983. Information on their meeting and activities is available at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/200511exec.htm.  (SRT)

Second Great Lakes Legacy Act Project Celebrates Success

On November 28, EPA and the State of Wisconsin announced the successful cleanup of contaminated sediment from Newton Creek and Hog Island Inlet in Superior, Wisconsin. The creek and the inlet are part of the St. Louis River watershed, Lake Superior's largest tributary. The $6.3 million cleanup project was the second completed under the 2002 Great Lakes Legacy Act. According to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, "This restoration has delivered a water body with enhanced recreational, residential and economic values. Every drop of water that flows from Newton Creek and Hog Island Inlet – and out to Lake Superior – will be cleaner because of our efforts." The project included removal of 60,000 tons of petroleum- and lead-contaminated sediment, which had been linked to degraded habitat for fish and other aquatic life. "This is an important and historic day for the City of Superior and to all those who use and enjoy Lake Superior," said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. "It shows that great things can be accomplished when government agencies and citizens groups pool their resources to achieve a common goal." The Great Lakes Legacy Act authorizes $270 million in funding over five years for cleanups at 31 contaminated sediment hotspots. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/glla/hogisland. (SRT)

EPA Federal Rule on Underground Disposal of Wastewater Provides Options in Florida

On November 22, EPA finalized a new rule that will allow municipal wastewater treatment facilities in 24 Florida counties to continue disposing of treated wastewater through injection into underground wells under certain conditions.  Facilities may choose one of several approaches as long as their action brings them into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Industries in areas using the Underground Injection Control (UIC) method must pretreat their wastewater so major contaminants are removed from the effluent before the water enters the wastewater treatment plant. Treatment facilities, in turn, add a secondary level of treatment and then high-level disinfection to inactivate pathogenic organisms.  According to EPA, some Florida municipalities have been using underground injection as an alternative to surface disposal of treated, domestic wastewater for more than 20 years, and evidence accumulated that some of the wastewater migrated into underground sources of drinking water. Prior to the new rule, the underground injection control provisions of SDWA prohibited any type of fluid movement from Class I wells into underground sources of drinking water. The regulation is effective December 22. The final rule and other supporting information are available at www.epa.gov/region4/water/uic/class1_flrule.htm. (SRT)

Lawrence, KS Holds NBP EMS Certification Celebration

On November 30, the City of Lawrence held a reception/open house to celebrate their Environmental Management System Certification from the National Biosolids Partnership, as well as EPA Clean Water Act Recognition awards in Operations and Maintenance and Biosolids Management. The event consisted of a presentation program, visual aids and displays stationed throughout for visitors to observe, tours of the facility, staff available to answer questions and demonstrate various equipment, and refreshments. The program included opening statements by Karl Mueldener, Director of Bureau of Water, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Dick Champion, Vice President of NACWA, presented the plaque to Mayor Boog Highberger and the NBP Seal of Approval Flag to Mike Wildgen, City Manager, and Jeanette Klamm, Residuals Coordinator.  Matt Bond, WEF Director, spoke on behalf of WEF in congratulating the City of Lawrence on its accomplishments. Karen Flournoy, EPA Region 7 Associate Regional Administrator for Ag and Environmental Priorities, presented both EPA awards to Mayor Boog Highberger.  Congressman Dennis Moore was present to speak for the closing of the program. Attendance was estimated to be approximately 100 vendors, stakeholders, elected officials, peers, and other interested parties to enjoy the festivities and show their support for the City's goals and programs. Lawrence, KS is the tenth wastewater agency in the nation to be NBP EMS certified. To learn more about the City of Lawrence, KS EMS program, visit: http://www.lawrenceutilities.org/Biosolids.shtml. (SJH)

Quote of the Week:

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.”

---Albert Einstein

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA.  To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Lisa Jones, (703) 684-2400 ext. 7741, ljones@wef.org.  For more information on this week's stories, please contact the WEF staff whose initials appear at the end of the item in which you are interested. TW –Tim Williams (703) 684-2437, twilliams@wef.org;  SRT - Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423, sthomas@wef.org; SJH - Sam Hadeed (703) 684-2418, shadeed@wef.org; PS-Patricia Sinicropi (703) 684-2416,  psinicropi@wef.org.  This Week in Washington is available on-line at http://www.wef.org/GovtAffairs