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CWACS Pretreatment Newsletter

2 New Pretreatment Job Openings: Salt Lake City, UT


Pretreatment Inspector/Permit Writer. $3,028-$4,010 per month. Closes 6/1/12.

Pretreatment Senior Sampler/Inspector. $2,689 - $3,046 per month. Closes 6/8/12.

https://dotnet.slcgov.com/ManagementServices/JobApplication



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OMB Appears Unwilling to Let Many EPA Rules Go Forward: Dental, Nanomaterials

Hi everyone,

Remember that primer I gave you on how regulations become regulations in a recent newsletter?  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plays a significant roll in that process. In fact, they are the ...
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EPA Promulgates Airport Deicing Effluent Guidelines: Not a Categorical IU for Pretreatment

Good Morning.

EPA has promulgated Effluent Guidelines for Airport Deicing. There are NO Pretreatment Standards for this Category (POTWs can already control discharges for BOD/TSS). However, this and the information  used to develop this Guideline ...
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EPA Promotes Alternatives to Nonylphenols

Good morning. Nonylphenols are comment detergents used in commercial laundries, car washers and where cheap surfactants are needed. EPA has published EPA Water Quality Criteria for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. The Criteria are:  Freshwater:  Acute:  28 µg/L;  Chronic:  6.6 µg/L and Marine:  Acute:  7 µg/L; Chronic:  1.7 µg/L   Colorado, ... << MORE >>

AWRA Summer Specialty Conference: Contaminants of Emerging Concern, Denver

Hi everyone,

The American Water Resources Association is hosting a Contaminants of Emerging Concern Conference on June 25-27, 2012 in Denver, CO. Also, there is a good CEC 101 training on June 24, 2012, 1pm-5pm (if ...
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EPA Confused? Another Dental Amalgam Categorical Standard Update


Hi everyone,

My previous newsletter reported that EPA had reset the dates to 2013 for the highly anticipated Dental Amalgam Categorical Standard to be proposed. That was on May 10, 2012. Glad I kept a ... << MORE >>

Dental Amalgam Rule: Latest


Hi everyone. I am at the Region 8 Pretreatment Association Pretreatment Workshop in Deadwood, SD (some great talks at this Workshop). This meeting is happening at the same time as the NACWA Pretreatment Workshop in Pensacola, Fl. Wish ...
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Wastewater Treatment: What % of Your POTW Operational Costs......

Hi everyone,

IMPORTANT:  Read the last 2 sentences!

I provide support to POTWs and often that support is at no charge. Weird, maybe, but usually I can answer questions quickly. I sent ...
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EPA's POTW Dumps Untreated Sewage, USGS Newsletter Link


Interesting Link  The USGS Environmental Health Newsletter:   health.usgs.gov/geohealth/index.html

I got quite a few comments to the article that reports an EPA (Federal Government) owned sewage treatment plant dumped a ... << MORE >>

Sampling for Local Limits and On-Going Monitoring

Hi everyone,

I do training on local limits (among other topics) and also do local limits for many POTWs across the Country. I get local limits questions emailed to me frequently. The most popular question is:  ...
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NIST/UMass Study Finds Evidence Nanoparticles May Increase Plant DNA Damage

For your files. More information on potential nanopollutants. Good questions could be added to your industrial waste surveys for tech industries.

Curt McCormick, CWACS  Curt@POTW.com   www.POTW.com


From NIST Tech ... << MORE >>

Looks Like Another Centralized Waste Treater Going to Jail

Jacob:  Thanks for sending.

SHREVEPORT JURY CONVICTS GENERAL MANAGER/FORMER

OWNER OF ARKLA DISPOSAL SERVICES OF VIOLATIONS OF
CLEAN WATER ACT AND OBSTRUCTING AN EPA
INVESTIGATION

... << MORE >>

Job Opening: Yuma, AZ

Saw this on-line.
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/yuma/default.cfm


...
Job Title: Industrial Pretreatment Inspector
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Pretreatment Penalty Case: Pennsylvania


Another one for your files. Good job to Region 3 (John Lovell?).

 

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Dental Amalgam BMPs. EPA's Cat Std On-Hold. POTWs Should Move Forward.

Hi everyone. Busy day.

EPA let me know that the Dental Amalgam Categorical Standard is on-hold. Last update (in January) was that the proposed Categorical Standard was expected to be sent to OMB prior to being ...
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Question from Several POTWs: Water Treatment Plant Residues

Hi everyone,

I have received several question over the last month about discharges to the sewer system of water treatment plant backwash or residues.

1. Are they SIUs:  If they meet ...
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Precautionary Principle: Example of Why it Can be Useful

Hi everyone,

This is more of an opinion article dealing with a specific class of insecticides. I try not to write these very often, but once in a while.......

The objectives of the pretreatment program make it clear that implementing ... << MORE >>

EPA Actions at OMB Review (no Dental Categorical Standard)

Hi everyone,

84 deg F yesterday and we will see snow this pm! 

A previous blog article described how regulations are promulgated. One step in that process is the review by ...
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Shreveport, LA: Guilty verdict for a CWT

One of my subscribers asked me to send this out. The pretreatment person worked on this for the past 6 years and was fortunate enough to testify in this case. Congrats!

Louisiana Jury Convicts ...
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EPA Region 8 Enforcement: New Local Limits Guidance Exposed

I was asked by a couple of POTW folks and one EPA person if I had seen EPA Region 8’s latest local limits guidance (not applicable to many subscribers in other parts of the U.S. that get my newsletter).   It is ...

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Supreme Court Ruling: EPA vs. Sackett. The Administrative Enforcement Process Will Change

Good morning,

On January 10, 2012, I wrote an article about a Supreme Court Case that had EPA defending how it does enforcement (you can go to my webpage and click on the Blog link and scan down until you see the article). Sackett ... << MORE >>

Providing Hazardous Waste (RCRA) Information to Your Industrial Users

Hi everyone,

I am getting a lot of great questions for these blog articles. I have a list that I am working down (feel free to send ideas in). I always get asked to provide information on other regulations ...

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Nanopollutants: Silver and Titanium Dioxide may cause reproductive damage

Hi everyone,

Another one for your files. The following article was specific to potential health effects of nanoparticles of silver and titanium dioxide (with silver causing more damage to testicular cells). There is little being done ...

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Nanopollutant Information - Recent Publications

Sorry for the typo in the title of the last Job Opening Blog article.

Here are a couple of recent articles about Nanopollutants for your growing library. As always, I wish EPA OST would put a ...
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Pennsylvania Discharger Penalized for Pretreatment Violations

I do not typically comment on EPA press releases but I do try to pass them on when they involve the pretreatment program. This one was interesting since this is the best spin EPA ... << MORE >>

Two Pretreatment Job Openings: Clark County, NV

Two new jobs at Clark County. If you are motivated, this is a great manager to work for.

www.clarkcountynv.gov/depts/human_resources/Pages/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx

1. Pretreatment Inspector:  $48,276.80 - $74,817.60.   Closing Date:  Continuing. No Closing ...
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Training, Rulemaking and where is the Dental Categorical Standard?

Hi everyone,

This is a busy time of the year!  A lot to do and a lot to plan for. We have Pretreatment Program training scheduled for several different locations this year. ...
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Perchloroethylene: EPA Final Health Assessment.

Hi everyone,

This is an EPA press release from yesterday (2/10/12). Perc is a dry cleaning solvent (and used as a solvent in other industries). Perchloroethylene is also know as Perc or Tetrachloroethylene or Tetrachloroethene. ...

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AWRA Contaminants of Emerging Concern Conference

Bill Battaglin is organizing this Conference.  Bill is a member of CREEC (www.CREEC.net), a group that is focused on education and technology transfer of information on contaminants of emerging concern.  While this is a call for abstracts, I wanted to also use ...

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Klamath Falls, OR needs WWTP Operator.....soon

The City of Klamath Falls is accepting applications for Wastewater Treatment Operator IV, III, or II.

SUMMARY:  An employee in this class is responsible for the continuous operation/ maintenance of the treatment plants/allied facilities. Involves continuous inspection/ evaluation of treatment plant operation to ensure correct, efficient plant ...

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Region 9 Plating Company: Zero Discharge and Replaces Lead Anodes and Hex Chrome

Good job to Keith and Greg at EPA Region 9!

Curt McCormick, CWACS, Curt@POTW.com   www.POTW.com

EPA Awards Innovative Plating Company in Clovis for Significant Reductions of Toxic Chemicals ... << MORE >>

NAS Report: Health and Environmental Effect of Nanomaterials Remains Uncertain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 25, 2012)
Hi everyone,

As I have indicated before, I have been spending quite a bit of time reading and researching nanomaterials because I have a concern over ...
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Pretreatment Training Opportunity: May 7, 2012.


Hi everyone,

We are holding Pretreatment Training on May 7, 2012. The training will be held in Deadwood, SD. This is a great location for sightseeing (Mt. Rushmore, many caves, fishing, shopping and ...
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Interesting (and Useful) Nanotech Company

Hi everyone,

I am not promoting this company (I have not used their product). I like to look at various companies that are producing nanomaterials. This company has developed a nanocoating material for cell phones ...
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Dental Categorical Standard: Update

From EPA Headquarters this morning:

"Status of dental package is not being impacted by Effluent Guidelines Plan [reopened for public notice]. Package has not been ...

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Enforcement, Compliance Orders and the Supreme Court: Interesting Case with Potential Pretreatment Program Implications

Hi everyone,

I read a lot of different news feeds every day looking for relevant information for pretreatment program implementation and enforcement. I love POTW legal authorities (writing and dissecting) and the legal aspects surrounding ...
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EPA IG Report Critical of EPA on Nanomaterial Safety.

 Hi everyone,

The EPA Inspector General's office that oversees EPA recently put out a report titled:  EPA Needs to Manage Nanomaterial Risks More Effectively. This report was issued December 29, 2011, and is only 28 pages. You can download at:   http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2012/20121229-12-P-0162.pdf

... << MORE >>

EPA Reopens Comment Period for 2010 Effluent Guidelines Plan for 60 Days

This is where EPA announces what potential Effluent Guidelines the Agency will be reviewing or considering. For a Pretreatment Program, this includes Categorical Standards. You can go to the link provided below to see ...
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Local Limits: POTW flows and Removal Efficiencies used in calculations. New England Patriots

Hi everyone,

Looks like the holidays are upon us. It seems like a very busy time of the year for POTWs based upon the number of questions I am receiving. In the last month, I have ...
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EPA Proposes Alternate Oil and Grease Method for Comment

Good morning everyone,

I read this notice in the Federal Register this morning: 

Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011). Proposed Rules. Pages 77742-77747.  40 CFR Part 136.   Guidelines ...

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POTW Pretreatment Training - May 7, 2012 - Deadwood, SD

Hi everyone,

Winter has arrived in Colorado!  We have gotten as much snow so far this winter (fall?) as we did all of last winter.

Initial Announcement:  I wanted to let everyone ...
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Contaminants of Emerging Concern: 2 Meetings

This CREEC meeting is a great opportunity for everyone to attend if you are in the area (see message below).  We are pushing to get a good membership drive for 2012.  A perk (not perc) for members is that they can attend meetings via a Webinar if they cannot physically make it.  We have been broadcasting via the web for several meetings and have members across the country logging in.

Curt McCormick
Secretary, CREEC

 
 

Sharing ideas, communicating results, identifying research needs, presenting solutions

The next CREEC meeting will be sponsored by the CREEC Board of Directors. It will be held on Thursday December 15, 2011 from 3:30-6:30 PM at The Ale House at Amato's in Denver – (www.alehousedenver.com/). It's in the Highland's neighborhood at 2501 16th Street, Denver, CO 80211. CREEC will be providing the food for this event.

The planned speakers are: John McEncroe, City of Morrison, “Point-of-Use, The Final Barrier” and Jessica Torrey, National Institute of Standards and Technology, “Materials Challenges for Next-Generation Water Treatment”. CREEC will also conduct a brief business meeting and election.
 
Please RSVP to bill@creec.net or admin@creec.net so we can have approximate headcount.
 
In our effort to make CREEC meetings more widely available, we will make this meeting accessible as a Webinar (we expect to have a good Internet connection).  Details will follow to members via email. 
 
Your 2012 CREEC membership dues are due on March 8, 2012. You can find the forms on our web site:
 
http://www.creec.net/
 
Please complete the form from the web site and either mail with payment to:
CREEC
P.O. Box 260080
Lakewood, CO 80226-0080
 
Or pay on-line from our new web site with a credit card and email the form to Bill at bill@creec.net


AWRA Workshop

Please remember that CREEC is supporting a 2 1/2-day workshop on Contaminants of Emerging Concern, sponsored by AWRA on June 25-27, 2012 in Denver, CO. More information about this conference and the call for abstract can be http://www.awra.org/.


EPA Update talk, Carbaryl Criteria, Busted: Illegal Discharge, H2S-TRI Reporting, Sewer workers die

Hi everyone,

Busy time of the year!  I have been traveling to training workshops or chained to my computer for the past 4 weeks. As promised, I have added the EPA Update presentation to my website ...
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Region 1 Pretreatment Workshop

Good Morning,

I got up early so I could give everyone an update on some of the talks at this Workshop. It is always great to go to these and listen to people talk about their ...
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Region 1 Pretreatment Workshop and Final Effluent Guidelines Plan

Hi everyone,

I am sitting in the Region 1 Pretreatment Workshop. I will provide some review of any interesting information that comes out of the meeting this week.

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Updates/Information: Region 1 Pretreatment Conference, Dental Mercury Categorical Standard, Nanotech,

Hi everyone,

I got up at 4am getting reading for the Region 1 Pretreatment Workshop this week. I think I have to get acclimated to EST. I'm looking forward to ...

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EPA releases 2010 final Effluent Guidelines Plan

Hi everyone,

I am sitting a DFW Airport cooling my heels and waiting on my flight home. I had a great week working on pretreatment with a City and meeting with all of their SIUs today. I ...
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Dental Mercury Categorical Standard Update

Hi everyone,

I have continued to request updates to what EPA expects regarding the nature of ...
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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) - Information?

Hi everyone,

I have gotten more questions over the last couple of months about TDS than any other pollutant. Because of those questions, I have been writing a blog article on TDS and Pretreatment Programs ...
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Grease Trap Survey Information Available

Hi everyone,

I had asked about grease traps and some process type questions in a blog last month because of questions that came up in a Training Course I was putting on. If you would like ...
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