|
|
Posted By IAMU,
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
|
The final lead and copper rule revisions (.pdf, 115 pages) were published in the Federal Register on Friday, January 15th. The rule revisions begin on the 83rd page of the .pdf, page number 4280. This rule applies to all community and non-transient non-community public water supply systems in the nation. In Iowa, there are approximately 1,200 systems affected by this rule. This is a significant revision with many changes to the current rule. As has been anticipated from the proposed rule, the final rule requires all systems to which the rule applies develop an inventory of the service lines to all customers, both privately-owned and publicly-owned sides of the service line. The material used in the service line must be denoted as part of the inventory, on both the public and private sides. These inventories must be completed and submitted to the state by January 16, 2024, three years after the rule’s publication date. On the same date, systems that have lead service lines must also submit a lead service line replacement plan. We don't yet have the mechanics of this worked out, so that information will be provided at a later date. Most of the proposed rule requirements remained in the final rule, with several changes. Only some of the changes from the current rule are listed below: - The 90th percentile action level for lead remains at 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb), with an added trigger level at 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb); the copper action level remains at 1.3 mg/L.
- The sampling protocol changes for sampling locations with a lead service line, to include both the first and fifth liters sampled after a 6-hour standtime.
- The sample site tiering criteria changes from 3 tiers to 5 tiers. The calculation of the 90th percentile is changed in systems that have lead service lines from the current calculation.
- Systems with lead service lines must include all such sites in the sampling plans. Galvanized iron or steel pipes are considered to be lead service lines unless it can be proven there was never a lead connector or service line upstream of the galvanized pipe.
- Schools and childcare facilities are required to be sampled by the public water supply system.
- There are changes to language of the consumer notice, public education, consumer confidence report; inclusion of other new notices and certifications; and changes to the timing of the notices.
- If a sampling site exceeds 15 ppb lead, the system must conduct a “find-and-fix” review at the site, including additional sampling, to determine the cause of the lead.
- Corrosion control requirements also have some changes.
The technical guidance documents are expected to be available at some future date. EPA has an LCRR webpage. More information will be published in the WS listserv as it becomes available.
Tags:
EPA
iDNR
LCRR
Water
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By IAMU,
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
|
Prairie Meadows has informed us they will will not be holding events through March. We are evaluating future dates and venues and will send out that information once it’s available.
Tags:
Energy Conference
IAMU Events
Prairie Meadows
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By IAMU,
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
|
You might have a ton of important well-being information that employees really need to know and would benefit from putting into practice, but if the information isn’t appealing, if it doesn’t draw in readers and make them want to learn more, your efforts may well be wasted and your well-being program may suffer as a result.
Do any of these issues sound familiar?
- Call-to-action messages included with newsletter articles, posters and emails receive low responses.
- Important information is thoroughly covered in communication pieces, and yet, customers seek answers to questions that were already discussed and “completed” in those well-thought-out communication efforts.
- Printed newsletters and handouts are discarded (instead of kept for future reference), and electronic emails are never opened.
Giving your communications the elements they need to entice your audience doesn’t have to take a ton of effort. It all comes down to getting a good read on your customers and then giving them what they want and need. In today’s “instant” world, the best bet might be to take an approach that focuses on making your communications easy to read, easy on the eyes, and entertaining.
The task of creating effective written communications sounds more challenging than it really is. It pretty much boils down to writing, editing, and design. - Start with a good mix of topics written in several formats. Include content that appeals to everyone. Give your communications a personality by using a chatting, conversational tone with humor sprinkled in.
- Make sure the articles are written in plain language (no corporate speak or cryptic acronyms that many people may not know). Also, be thorough, answering all the questions readers might have or directing readers to places where they can get more information. Oh, and don’t forget clever headlines.
- No large blocks of copy. Ever. Leave plenty of white space to make the communication seem less overwhelming. Always pair with pictures. Rely on eye-catching images – ones that “tease” would-be readers to check out the communication’s message.
Bottom line: Make communications fun and easy. Make them entertaining for you to write and easy/inviting for your customers to read, and you have a pretty good recipe for communication success!
Tags:
Communications Corner
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By IAMU,
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
|
The Iowa Association of Municipal
Utilities, through the IAMU Education and Research Fund, is pleased to
announce the creation of a scholarship program. Each $1,000 scholarship will be distributed to the student. To apply, candidates must fill out and submit the scholarship application. Applications are due February 15, 2021 to scholarship@iamu.org. A minimum of four scholarships will be awarded. IAMU will announce the award recipients by May 1, 2021. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must: - Live
in a residence that is a verified customer of an IAMU member or attend a
high school that is a verified customer of an IAM member.
- Be a 2021 graduating high school senior or have previously graduated from high school.
- Be attending a post high school education program located in Iowa in the fall of 2021.
Preference
will be given to applicants entering a utility-related career with a
special preference to applicants entering utility-related trades
programs leading to careers in difficult to fill utility careers such
as, as an example only, electric line worker, water treatment or
distribution operator, or operator qualified natural gas positions. “IAMU
is committed to supporting the future of Iowa and its municipal
utilities,” said Troy DeJoode, IAMU executive director. “That commitment
involves helping the next generation of professionals to get the
education and training that they need. For the last several years, we
have emphasized making high school students aware of the tremendous
career opportunities that exist in public utilities. This scholarship
program is an extension of that priority.” IAMU members are
encouraged to share this scholarship information with their communities.
You might post information to your social media account(s) and website,
and submit information to your local newspaper and/or radio station.
IAMU is sending an email about the scholarship to high school guidance
counselors, but you might also consider reaching out to your local
guidance counselors as well. If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please feel free to contact IAMU at scholarship@iamu.org.
Tags:
Scholarship
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By Administration,
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
|
Join us on February 4th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. for this webinar covering:
Production Meter Testing (1:00 – 2:00 p.m.)
Presented by Kevin Burgers, Water Systems Optimization, Inc.
Membrane Technologies (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.)
Presented by Todd Sturtz, Desalitech
2 CEU Hours available for Water Treatment ONLY.
FREE for IAMU Utility Members
*To register, please click HERE. The webinar link will be sent to the registered participant’s email address. (If you do not receive the webinar link, please check your SPAM folder.)
Tags:
CEUs
Water
Water Treatment
Webinar
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
Print Page
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin