 |
||
|
Water |  |
 |
||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Water Headlines for June 12, 2006Benjamin H. Grumbles Water Headlines is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. In This Week’s Water Headlines:
New EPA Program Saves Dollars and Makes SenseWaterSense, a new water efficiency program launched by EPA today, will educate American consumers on making smart water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards without compromising performance. ”Efficient products and informed consumers lead to smart water use. EPA’s WaterSense program will provide water solutions that are a win-win for our wallets and our environment. WaterSense just makes sense,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. ”WaterSense advances President Bush’s cooperative conservation goals through education, not regulation - spreading the ethic of water efficiency and promoting the tools to make wise water choices.” The WaterSense program aims to raise awareness about the importance of water efficiency, ensure the performance of water-efficient products and provide good consumer information. The WaterSense label will be easily identified on products and services that perform at least 20 percent more efficiently than their less efficient counterparts. Easily corrected household water leaks frequently rob consumers of eight percent of their water bill. At least 30 percent of water used by household irrigation systems is lost through wind evaporation and improper design, installation or maintenance. The average household adopting water efficient products and practices can save 30,000 gallons per year - enough to supply a year of drinking water for 150 of their neighbors. Manufacturers can certify these products meet EPA criteria for water efficiency and performance by following testing protocols specific to each product category. In addition, products will be independently tested to ensure EPA specifications are met. These products will be available to families and businesses early next year. Information about the WaterSense water efficiency program: epa.gov/watersense Storm Water Rule Finalized to Comply with Energy Policy ActEPA has finalized revisions to storm water regulations to advance the comprehensive energy policy enacted by Congress last year. This action, implementing an amendment to the Clean Water Act passed in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, modifies water permitting program regulations to clarify that uncontaminated storm water discharged from oil and gas field activities does not require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. This rule encourages voluntary application of best-management practices for oil and gas field construction activities to minimize erosion and control sediment to protect surface water quality during storm events. It also retains the right of states to regulate these activities under other laws and authorities. EPA will work with government, citizens, and industry to promote the importance of storm water management at oil and gas sites as it implements its rulemaking activities. This rule is effective today. Information on permitting of storm water discharges: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/oilgas.cfm Draft Final Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Implementation Guidance is Available for Public CommentEPA is releasing the draft Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Implementation Guidance for public comment. When finalized, the guidance will assist EPA Regions and the states with implementation of the rules provisions. Along with a summary of the rule, this document contains guidance for preparing state primary enforcement authority (primacy) revision applications, rule fact sheets, a quick reference guide, and flowcharts illustrating rule requirements. An electronic version of the draft may be found on the EPA website at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/lt2/compliance.html. Copies of the draft guidance will also be available in hard copy by contacting the Water Resource Center at 202-566-1729 and identifying document number EPA 816-R-06-006. You may also contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publication 1-800-490-9198 to obtain hard copies. New Guidance Helps Small Drinking Water Systems Identify Affordable Treatment OptionsEPA has released a new guidance document to help small drinking water systems provide safe and affordable drinking water to their customers. Cost can be a serious impediment for very small systems planning to install expensive centralized contaminant-removal equipment. The guidance document, Point-of-Use or Point-of-Entry Treatment Options for Small Drinking Water Systems, provides operators and water officials with valuable information about treatment devices that can be installed at a consumer’s tap (Point of Use) or on the water line to a consumer’s home or building (Point of Entry). The guidance describes pertinent requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and current Federal regulations. It also contains a summary of individual state requirements and a collection of case studies that illustrate how small systems have implemented these treatment options in the past. Point-of-use devices, such as reverse-osmosis filters, are usually installed under a kitchen sink and can comply with drinking water standards for such contaminants as arsenic, lead, and radium. Point-of-entry devices are installed outside the home or business and can treat an even wider variety of contaminants. Depending on local conditions, the devices may reduce costs by more than 50 percent. Owners and operators of small drinking water systems will find the guidance useful during the planning stage, including pilot testing, public education, and operation. Maintenance and other implementation issues are also covered. Read the guidance: http://epa.gov/safewater/smallsys/ssinfo.htm#two Subscribe to Water HeadlinesPlease forward this message to your friends and colleagues who share an interest in water-related issues and would like to hear from EPA’s Office of Water. To subscribe to the Water Headlines listserve: Send an email message, leave the subject line blank, and address it to: In the body of the message write: Subscribe Water Headlines first name last name (Please leave one blank space between each word, do not include any other message, and use your actual name- i.e. Subscribe Water Headlines Robert Jones)
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
