Water Supply Rule Proposed Revisions
The Drinking Water & Groundwater Protection Division has proposed a number of revisions to the Vermont Water Supply Rule. Click here to see the proposed revisions.
DWGPD is now accepting public comments on these changes, which include:
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- Distribution Operator Requirement: many water systems will be required to have a certified Class D operator as well as a certified Class 2/3/4 treatment operator. This would apply to all Public Community and NTNC water systems serving more than 500 people that have fire hydrants connected to the distribution system or multiple pressure zones within the distribution system. Current Class 2/3/4 treatment operators could obtain an additional Class D certification to fulfill this requirement. Systems would be required to have a Class D operator by July 1, 2029. See page 83 of the document linked above.
- Continuing Education Changes: for certification renewal, operators will be required to take classes on particular topics. For Class 2/3/4 operators, a minimum of 30% of training contact hours (TCHs) must be from classes about regulations, public health, or management and finance. Another 30% of TCHs must be from classes about treatment, distribution, or source protection. See page 87 of the proposed revisions linked above.
- Designated Certified Operators: some changes to the responsibilities of Designated Certified Operators can be found on pages 74–77.
- Miscellaneous: Updated language about bacteriological monitoring to reflect the EPA’s Revised Total Coliform Rule (pages 40–43) and PFAS sampling (pages 57–58). Additional prohibited land uses in water source isolation zones (page 119). Minor changes such as fixing internal citations (throughout).
DWGPD is holding two public hearings about these changes. They are:
Wednesday, September 27 at 5 pm
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- In-person at Agency of Natural Resources, Catamount Conference Room (1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT)
- Virtual on Microsoft Teams (no registration required, click here to join meeting)
Thursday, September 28 at 10 am
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- Virtual on Microsoft Teams (no registration required, click here to join meeting)
You can also submit comments in writing to Ben Montross at ben.montross@vermont.gov or
Ben Montross
Agency of Natural Resources
1 National Life Drive – Davis 4
Montpelier, VT 05620
FEMA Public Assistance Updates
The deadline for submitting a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to FEMA for last month’s flooding has been extended to October 12, 2023.
We have put together a page about FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program with information specific to water and wastewater systems at https://vtruralwater.org/fema-pa/. Here you’ll find information about eligibility, how to apply, and what to expect.
Also on this page, you’ll find a list of tips from Vermont Rural Water’s board members John Lazelle (Wilmington WWTP) and Ray Counter (Brandon Fire District #1), whose systems both received FEMA Public Assistance grants after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.