2008 Water News

  • Vermont Senate Releases Bill Relating to Public Water Systems

    Following testimony on March 13 before the Vermont Senate Health and Welfare Committee by a number of industry representatives, including public water system operators, Senate Bill S. 368 has been introduced in the Vermont Legislature. While the initial draft of the bill included a permit application process for replacement of disinfection equipment and a proposed ban on chloramines as a secondary disinfectant for public water systems, these provisions have been struck from the bill.

    The changes proposed in the bill include:

    • A requirement for the Secretary of ANR to consult with the VT Department of Health to consider the likely health effects from the use of a new type of disinfection chemical by a given system
    • The Secretary shall give public notice of such change to allow for public comment and public hearing if requested
    • The Secretary may require additional information prior to issuance of the permit and may also consult with the commissioner of health in making decisions regarding health issues raised by the application

    It is VRWA's understanding this change is only intended for public community systems, but as written this is not completely clear. A summary of the bill can be found on VRWA's site. The complete text of S. 368 can be found here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/S-368.htm

    Please contact your Vermont state representatives on this issue and express your opinion.

  • 2008 Drinking Water Tasting Contest

    The Drinking Water Fair Committee welcomes all public water systems to enter the 2008 Water Tasting Contest. As in years past, the Water Tasting Contest will be held on the State House lawn during the Drinking Water Fair. This year's Fair is Friday, May 9th. Your water will be tested and judged by our discerning panel of judges. Past judges have included Governor Jim Douglas, Jeff Wennberg (former DEC Commissioner) and Kira Jacobs, Vermont's EPA representative. Water systems will remain anonymous to the judges and all fair attendees with the exception of the tasting coordinator and the winners, who will be announced during the fair festivities.

    Applications should be submitted on or before May 1st to allow time for processing. All participating systems must be in compliance with both State and Federal rules and regulations (including water quality standards in Subchapter 21-6 of the Vermont Water Supply Rule). There are three categories for this contest-surface water, groundwater and Non-transient Non-Community systems. An overall winner will be chosen from the top finishers. A minimum of two (2) gallons of your water are requested, clearly marked with public water system name, type of system (groundwater, surface water or NTNC), and contact person on each container supplied by you. The water system may use a container of their choosing, but glass is strongly recommended. Samples should be drawn the day before the contest and will be served at room temperature.

    We will have a designated area for samples to be delivered to on the State House lawn. Each sample will be categorized and marked with a letter for identification at the time of delivery. All samples must be in no later than 9AM on May 9th (the day of the fair). For those public water systems who will be unable to send a representative to the fair but want to enter the water tasting contest, I will be attending the Vermont Rural Water Annual Trade Show and Conference at Lake Morey on Thursday May 8th. You may bring your samples to the Trade Show and I will ensure they arrive at the Drinking Water Fair. Please contact me, Ashley Lucht, by email (ashley.lucht@state.vt.us) or phone (802 241 3424) with any questions or if you need additional information.

    Sincerely,
    Ashley Lucht
    Water Tasting Coordinator, Vermont Drinking Water Week

    Download the Water Tasting Application here!

  • VRWA to Testify at Hearing on Public Water Supply Rule

    On Thursday, March 13, the Vermont Senate Health and Welfare Committee will host a hearing to take testimony on draft changes to existing state statutes relating to public water system operations. VRWA's Executive Director Shaun Fielder is scheduled to testify. The summary of the proposed changes are as follows:

    Subject: Conservation; public water supply; water treatment

    Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to require a public water system to obtain a permit from the agency of natural resources prior to adding a new chemical to a public water system, altering a point-of-distribution chemical application to a public water system, or replacing public water system equipment necessary for the application of a disinfection chemical. The bill would ban for two years the use of chloramine as a disinfectant chemical in public water systems. The bill would also require the agency of natural resources to hold a public hearing before issuing such a permit.

    VRWA is not in support of these proposed changes. The existing Water Supply Rule provides adequate and comprehensive guidance on the permit and associated chemical addition processes. In addition, VRWA does not support a ban on the use of chloramines as a disinfectant chemical.

    We will post follow up information on this issue as applicable. As with any legislative issue, please be sure to express your opinion by contacting your local state representative. A listing of your Vermont Senate and House representatives can be found at www.leg.state.vt.us.