Healthy Drinking Water and Healthy Homes – Communicating to the Public: What is a Drinking Water Advisory?
Healthy Drinking Water and Healthy Homes – Communicating to the Public
What is a Drinking Water Advisory?
DO NOT PANIC ! What are Drinking Water Advisories and What Should You Do ?
Drinking water advisories let customers know that their tap water or drinking water could be contaminated and make them sick. There are no advisories for private well owners or drinking water systems that are NOT regulated. Advisories are used to send a message to users, customers, individuals, business, schools and other institutions that there is a potential problem with the water and how to act without getting into the details that are part of a Community Water Supply System or a regulated Non-Community System like a school, gasoline station that serves food, etc. One thing we learned from Flint, Michigan and other case studies is that the citizens and most users do not really know what a “Drinking Water Advisory Means” and most Authorities or Water Companies DO NOT Know How to Explain the Situation.
The drinking water advisories typically fall into one of these 3 categories: “Boil Water Advisory”, “Do Not Drink Advisory”, and “Do Not Use Advisory”. Just to confuse you a little more, there is also something called a Health Advisories that are published by EPA and we will deal with these separately.
Boil Water Advisory
If your local health officials, water company, water provider, or Authority issues a boil water advisory, you should take the immediate action of not using your drinking water for consumption (DO NOT DRINK !).
The boil water advisory means that the water may or does contain a pathogen, i.e., a disease-causing agent. The primary actions would include establishing another temporary water source, such as bottled or bulk water, or boiling the water prior to use and consumption. (Please Note: I did not say filter the water or Microwave the water and I did not say drink hot water. I said BOIL!)
Boil water advisories the details.
- Use bottled water, bulk drinking water, or boiled water for drinking, and to prepare and cooking food, feeding the pets, brushing your teeth, and making baby formula.
- If bottled water is not available, bring your tap water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute for elevations below 6,500 feet and if you live at an elevation of over 6,500 feet a 3 minute rolling boil is needed. After boiling, allow the water to cool before use and while it is cooling give a good shake to try and “re-aerate” the water, it will taste better.
- If a boil water advisory is issued, you CAN NOT just filter your water through a particle filter or install or use a Class B UV water treatment system– this is NOT adequate. The verb in the sentence is “BOIL” not filter, but it is ok to boil and then filter (YES). They make some very good home water coolers
- Do not use ICE comes from your automatic ice maker even if the unit has a filter or inline UV unit, the water must be cooled and then cooled and then you can make ice.
- Breastfeeding is the better choice. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible, or the water must be boiled (not Microwaved or heated) and cooled. The boiled water should be used within 72 hours (Source: Allinahealth.org)
- You a water screening test on your temporary water source and your water source when it comes off the boil water advisory.
Handwashing – (After COVID you should be a PRO)
- In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. DO NOT wash your hands in boiling water or hot water. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
- Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water, but make sure to dry your hands.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (Source: CDC).
Bathing and showering
- Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
- Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water. You do not need to use bottled water, but you can if you wish.
Brushing teeth
- Brush teeth with boiled water that has cooled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled. You may want to then store your toothbrush in some saline or salt water to prevent bacterial regrowth.
Washing dishes
- If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
- Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if:
- The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°Celsius), or
- The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
- At the end of the boil water advisory, we recommend running a sanitizing cycle and using a dishwasher cleaner tablet approved by the manufacturer.
- Sanitize all baby bottles.
- To wash dishes by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
- In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
- Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.
Laundry
Washing Clothes (Assuming the drinking water is not discolored or turbid)
- Assuming the water is not discolored or turbid, it is likely safe to wash clothes as usual, but I would clean the unit by using chlorine or a citric acid cleaner or a clothes washer cleaner tablet approved by the manufacturer.
Do Not Drink Water Advisory
Local health authorities issue a do not drink water advisory when your community’s water is, or could be, contaminated with harmful chemicals and toxins, and when boiling water will not make it safe.
Authorities may recommend limited use of tap water for some tasks, depending on the harmful chemical or toxin contaminating the water. Follow health officials’ advice carefully to protect your health and your family’s health.
During a do not drink water advisory, use bottled water for: drinking and cooking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food, mixing baby formula, making ice, and drinking water to pets and livestock.
In some instances, it will be safe to wash hands, flush toilets and shower; in other instances, it will not. You should be cautious when bathing a baby and young children; they might swallow water.
Do not drink or use water from any appliance connected to your water supply lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher.
Do Not Use Water Advisory
Local health authorities issue a do not use water advisory when your community’s water is, or could be, contaminated with germs, harmful chemicals, toxins, or radioactive materials. Under this advisory any contact, even with the skin, lungs, or eyes, can be dangerous. Do not drink or use tap water from the impacted system for any purpose as long as the advisory is in effect, including for bathing. These types of advisories are rare.
EPA Health Advisory (HAs)
HAs primarily serve as information to drinking water systems and officials responsible for protecting public health when emergency spills or other contamination situations occur. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to issue HAs for contaminants that are not subject to a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) (Source: 42 U.S.C. §300g-1(b)(1)(F)). HA documents provide technical information on chemical and microbial contaminants that can cause human health effects and are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water. HA values/levels identify the concentration of a contaminant in drinking water at which adverse health effects and/or aesthetic effects are not anticipated to occur over specific exposure duration (e.g., 1 day, 10 days, a lifetime).
HA: Health Advisory- An estimate of acceptable drinking water levels for a chemical substance based on health effects information; a Health Advisory is not a legally enforceable Federal standard, but serves as technical guidance to assist Federal, state, and local officials.
“One-day HA: The concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to one day of exposure
Ten-day HA: The concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure.
Lifetime HA: The concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for a lifetime of exposure.”
Drinking Water Advisories – Water Standards and Health Advisory Tables (2018)
Listing of Drinking Water Contaminants
EPA Health Advisory’s for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals– Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid and Ammonium Salts, and Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid and Potassium Salts (PFBS)
Drinking Water Health Advisories for Two Cyanobacterial Toxins
Water Treatment Systems
Crystal Quest – Point of Use, Point of Entry, Whole House, Coolers, Pitchers
US Water Systems – Disinfection, Iron, Manganese, PFOS, Taste, Odors
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1 Billion from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program for 389 School Districts
Historic investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law headed to all 50 states in effort to transform America’s school bus fleet
WASHINGTON (October 26, 2022) — Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the Fiscal Year 2022 recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, awarding nearly $1 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 389 school districts spanning 50 states, Washington, DC, and several Tribes and U.S. territories. The grants will help school districts purchase over 2,400 clean school buses that will accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities.
Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will join schoolchildren, district leaders and community members in Seattle, Washington, later today to make the announcement and highlight how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and better protect children’s health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.
“President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “As many as 25 million children rely on the bus to get to school each day. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are making an unprecedented investment in our children’s health, especially those in communities overburdened by air pollution. This is just the beginning of our work to build a healthier future, reduce climate pollution, and ensure the clean, breathable air that all our children deserve.”
In May, EPA announced the availability of $500 million for its Clean School Bus Program. Given overwhelming demand from school districts across the country, including in low-income communities, Tribal nations, and territories, EPA nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded to $965 million. The rebate application period closed in August with an outstanding response from school districts seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses across the country.
At this time, through a lottery system, the agency has selected 389 applications totaling $913 million to support the purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric. EPA will distribute awards to school districts in all 50 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural, and, or Tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected. More applications are under review, and the agency plans to select more to reach the full $965 million in the coming weeks.
Those school districts who received an award can now proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure. Selectees will need to submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders demonstrating they have ordered new buses and eligible infrastructure. EPA is also partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance to ensure effective implementation.
These awards are the first $1 billion of a five-year, $5 billion program created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA is also designing the next rounds of program funding to launch in the coming months, which will include an ambitious grant competition. Through future rounds of funding, EPA will make available another $1 billion for clean school buses in Fiscal Year 2023. EPA encourages school districts not selected in the first round of rebates – and those that did not apply this funding cycle – to participate in future rounds.
About the Clean School Bus Rebate Program
The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts and produce cleaner air. Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Phasing out these diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis. The program will also save school districts money as they upgrade school bus fleets, replacing older, heavily polluting buses with brand new clean school buses, while freeing up needed resources for schools.
The 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates prioritize low-income, rural, and Tribal communities. The vast majority of applicants met the priority definition under the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates criteria, resulting in access to more funds for buses and electric vehicle infrastructure for schools in areas that need them the most. The program also delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
“What kinds of investments fall within the Justice40 Initiative? The categories of investment are: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure.”
View the full list of Clean School Bus award recipients here.
Question? Does under-served communities include the communities where the local school district has failed to teach the kids how to read, write, do basic math, and know the history of the country??
Training Courses
Redvector – As part of our education efforts and because of our professional background at KnowYourH20, we have partnered with Red Vector (through the BF Environmental affiliate portal) to facilitate online training courses for individuals, licensed professionals, facility managers, construction, and citizen scientists.
pDH ENgineer -PDHengineer.com, located in Houston, TX, is the leading provider of continuing education exclusively for professional engineers.
Udemy’s mission is to create new possibilities for people and organizations everywhere by connecting them to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a changing world. The education website offers over 183,00 online training videos.
Geoscientists discover an overlooked source for Earth’s water
“Where did Earth’s global ocean come from? A team of Arizona State University geoscientists led by Peter Buseck, Regents’ Professor in ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) and School of Molecular Sciences, has found an answer in a previously neglected source. The team has also discovered that our planet contains considerably more hydrogen, a proxy for water, than scientists previously thought.
So where is it? Mostly down in our planet’s core, but more about that in a minute. The bigger question is where did all this come from in the first place.
“Comets contain a lot of ices, and in theory could have supplied some water,” says Steven Desch, professor of astrophysics in SESE and one of the team scientists. Asteroids, he adds, are a source as well, not as water-rich yet still plentiful.
“But there’s another way to think about sources of water in the solar system’s formative days,” Desch explains. “Because water is hydrogen plus oxygen, and oxygen is abundant, any source of hydrogen could have served as the origin of Earth’s water.””
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-11-geoscientists-overlooked-source-earth.html#jCp
Read More
Pennsylvania State University Arboriculture and Community Forest Training
Here is this month’s listing of upcoming arboriculture and community forestry events in and around Pennsylvania and online. For more information on a particular program, please use the listed contact information for that program.
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1. Tree Support and Protective Systems
Thursday, November 8, 2018, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA
Offered by Morris Arboretum
An important feature in the preservation of mature shade trees in the built environment involves the installation of various support cables, rods, and guying systems, as well as lightning protection. This one-day course will explore all aspects of these techniques as well as the best practices and standards of the industry. There will be field demonstrations of each technique and an opportunity to get hands-on practice. Alex is an ISA certified arborist with many years of experience in practical arboriculture and an acknowledged expert in cable splicing and installation.
CEUs: 6.0 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists
Cost: $140, includes lunch
For more information and to register, visit https://experience.morrisarboretum.org/Info.aspx or call 215-247-5777, ext. 125
2. Trees Matter Symposium
November 14, 2018, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Silver Spring, MD
Montgomery Parks and Casey Trees, Washington D.C., present the seventh annual Trees Matter Symposium. Presentations will focus on the health and welfare of trees in our increasingly developed landscapes. Learn from some of the country’s leading experts about innovative efforts to plant, protect and preserve trees in urban and suburban settings. Trees provide many benefits: they cleanse and cool our air, stabilize our soils, provide wildlife habitat and beautify our urban and suburban areas. We encourage all arborists, landscape industry and environmental/green industry professionals, engineers, designers, housing developers and interested citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to learn new techniques and concepts on what can be done to ensure the survival of trees in our built environment.
CEUs: Maryland Licensed Tree Experts (5 Credits), ISA Certified Arborists (5 credits), Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (5 credits), and Landscape Architect LACES (5 credits)
Cost: $95
For more information and to register, visit https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/trees-matter-symposium/
3. Chipper and Chainsaw Operation in Spanish
Las operaciones de las motosierras y los chippers
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA
Offered by Morris Arboretum
This course is designed for entry level arborists. The main goal of this one-day course is to acquaint students with chippers and chainsaws and their safe operation so that they will be fully competent to operate the machinery safely, and without direct supervision. This program is designed to give an additional credential to the crew member by introducing them to the fundamentals of machine operation. The course helps employers document training as well as identify and retain motivated employees. It will verify, according to OSHA guidelines, that the employer has provided the proper safety training necessary to operate this machinery. The Chipper and Chainsaw course is a component of the TCIA Tree Care Academy Program and meets their accreditation standard. Each student will receive a helmet decal, patch, certificate, and a laminated wallet card upon successful completion of the test.
CEUs: 6.0 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists
Cost: $140
For more information and to register, visit https://experience.morrisarboretum.org/Info.aspx or call 215-247-5777, ext. 125
4. Webinar: Changing Urban Tree Canopy Cover in the U.S.
Urban Forestry Today Webcast Series – UMass Amherst, Department of Environmental Conservation
Thursday, November 15, 2018, 12 PM – 1 PM (Eastern Time)
Join Dr. David Nowak, USDA Forest Service, as he discusses the latest findings pertaining to how urban tree canopy cover and associated values are changing in the United States.
Cost: Free
CEUs: This webinar is eligible for 1.0 CEU with the International Society of Arboriculture and 0.5 Massachusetts Certified Arborist CEUs.
Where: Visit www.joinwebinar.com and enter the ID code: 150-883-555
For more information: http://www.urbanforestrytoday.org/ or email Rick Harper at rharper@eco.umass.edu
5. Webinar: Concrete Cloth: A Versatile Option for Stormwater Management and Erosion Control
Penn State Extension Community Forestry Management Monthly Webinar Series
Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 12 PM – 1 PM (Eastern Time)
Anne Duggan, CEO of KevCon/Pave Drain will present an array of land protection challenges where concrete cloth was incorporated in best management practices. Unlike an web of interlinked blocks, concrete cloth is described as a geosynthetic cementitious composite mat. Ms. Duggan here shows how KevCon’s harden-in place fabric innovation performed in a variety of site needs including erosion control, slope face protection, drainage swales etc.
Registration and connection details: Register at https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_utRC-0EfQzWo8tyqCmVFlA
Use the link above to register for the webinar early, or at the time of the webinar. If you register prior to the webinar, you will receive an email with a link to access the webinar. If you register at the time of the webinar, you will be connected directly to the webinar following registration. We recommend registering and accessing the webinar room 15 minutes prior to the webinar start time to ensure you are able to connect.
Cost: Free
Continuing Education Credits: One Continuing Education Credit for Landscape Architects; SAF Certified Foresters (CFEs); and PLNA Certified Horticulturalist (PCH) will be offered to attendees. One CEU for ISA Certified Arborists will be awarded with 80% or higher score on webinar quiz. Certificates of attendance will be provided after the program.
For more information contact Scott Sjolander at 814-350-7749 or sas305@psu.edu
6. Webinar: The Emerald Ash Borer: Strategies for Conserving Ash in the Urban Forest
Utah State University Forestry Learn at Lunch Webinar Series
Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 2 PM – 3 PM Eastern Time
In cooperation with the TREE Fund, USU Forestry Extension presents the November Learn at Lunch Webinar. This presentation will review research that provides scientific basis for EAB management and conservation of ash in urban environments. Results of multiyear insecticide trials with soil applied, trunk injected, and bark applied systemic insecticides show that protection of even very large caliper ash trees is a viable option to consider as part of an integrated management program for EAB. The EAB Cost Calculator and tree inventories can be used to integrate treatments with removal schedules to develop proactive, strategic management programs for ash and the EAB “death curve” in the urban forest.
Registration and connection details: Register at https://extension.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FmFndHwpT0-VlI1qdf84sg
Cost: Free
Continuing Education Credits: One Continuing Education Credit for SAF Certified Foresters (CFEs) and ISA Certified Arborists
7. Designing Native and Ecological Plant Communities
Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Philadelphia, PA
Offered by Morris Arboretum
Join us as we translate the ecological principles of wild plant communities into planting design tools that will help you create better planting. Functional and ecological plantings, such as rain gardens and meadows, are increasing in popularity but simultaneously face severe challenges. They often fail to wow the public, offer a low level of ecological function, and simply don’t survive on low-budget maintenance. Examples of failed projects are plentiful and hurt the image of the native plant movement. We won’t solve these issues if we continue to compare planting design to painting on canvas and perceive plants as individual objects in space. It is time for a new approach—a plant-community-based method that has evolved in the world of ecological science. This interactive workshop will introduce you to the science behind stable and lasting plant combinations. You will learn the skill of creating plant communities in four hands-on design exercises and practice this technique in a hypothetical planting project at the end of the workshop.
CEUs: 5 CEUs for ISA certified arborists and LACES credits for landscape architects
Cost: $180
For more information and to register, visit https://experience.morrisarboretum.org/Info.aspx or call 215-247-5777, ext. 125
8. Tree Tenders Training
Join thousands of other concerned citizens like yourself. Become a Tree Tender and help increase tree canopy cover in your community. Tree Tenders® is a training program that empowers concerned residents to make dramatic strides towards restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities. The course is designed for lay people and experts alike. Become one of the Tree Tenders restoring and tending your part of the forest. Instruction is provided by DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry, in partnership with Penn State Extension, PHS, and other local urban forestry experts.
Tree Tenders training includes:
-Tree Biology
-Urban Stresses on Trees
-Tree Identification
-Tree Pruning and Root Care
-Tree Planting Techniques
-Community Organizing
Johnstown, PA
December 1, 2018
Offered by Penn State Extension
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Register online at https://extension.psu.edu/tree-tenders
For more information, contact Brian Wolyniak at bjw229@psu.edu or call 412-482-3455
Pittsburgh, PA
December 1, 2018
Offered by Tree Pittsburgh
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Register online at https://www.treepittsburgh.org/ways-to-give/volunteer
For more information, contact joe@treepittsburgh.org or 412-781-8733
Online
Thursdays, January 24- March 7, 2019
Offered by Penn State Extension
One hour sessions each week at 12 noon or 7 pm
Register online at https://extension.psu.edu/tree-tenders-online
For more information, contact Vinnie Cotrone at vjc1@psu.edu or call 570-825-1701
9. Financing Urban Tree Canopy: A How To for Chesapeake Communities
Thursday, December 13, 2018, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Washington, DC
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center invite you to a workshop on sustainable approaches to funding and financing an urban forestry program for Chesapeake Bay communities. This workshop comes with the launch of a newly developed written guide for Chesapeake Bay communities by the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and the US Forest Service with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. All participants will receive a hard copy of this guide at the workshop. This workshop is an opportunity to hear from and speak with experts as well as peers from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed on effective, transferable, and often novel approaches to leveraging existing resources or increasing access to funding for implementing urban tree canopy.
This workshop is intended for local government staff, elected officials, volunteer tree boards and/or commissions, and any other individuals or groups involved in urban tree canopy efforts in their community.
Cost: Free, pre-registration is required
For more information and to register, visit https://www.allianceforthebay.org/events/funding-urban-tree-canopy-for-chesapeake-communities-workshop/
10. Arborist Short Course
Offered by Penn State Extension
These four-day short courses teach the basics of arboriculture (tree care), including tree biology, tree risk assessment, tree planting, and other topics, providing training for those interested in taking the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Examination.
Specifically, this course covers:
— Diagnosis of plant diseases and arthropod pests
— Plant nutrition and fertilization
— Selection, installation and establishment of trees and shrubs
— Soil and water interaction and management
— Tree identification
— Tree assessment and risk management
— Proper pruning and the ANSI standards
— Construction impacts and management
— Safety and tree climbing
CEUs: ISA Certified Arborist, PCH, and PA Landscape Architect CEUs and Pesticide Credits are available for this course.
Registration is available online for all four locations at: https://extension.psu.edu/arborist-short-course
Please note different registration deadlines for each location.
Upcoming Arborist Short Courses:
Dallas, PA:
January 4, 11, 18, and 24, 2019
For more information, contact Vinnie Cotrone at vjc1@psu.edu or 570-825-1701.
Registration deadline: December 20, 2018
York, PA:
January 30 and 31, February 6 and 7, 2019
For more information, contact Tim Abbey at tma13@psu.edu or 717-755-5968.
Registration deadline: January 29, 2019
Additional locations (western PA) to be offered in early 2019 to be listed soon.
If you would like to have programs shared via this monthly newsletter, please email information to Brian Wolyniak by the 25th of the current month for publication in the following month’s newsletter.
Brian Wolyniak
Extension Urban Forester
bjw229@psu.edu
(412) 482-3455
Penn State Extension
1435 Bedford Avenue, Suite A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Julianne Schieffer
Extension Urban Forester
jxs51@psu.edu
(610) 489-4315
Penn State Extension
1015 Bridge Rd
Collegeville, PA 19426
More Training in Sustainable Systems
President signs water infrastructure legislation advancing NGWA key policy priorities
President signs water infrastructure legislation advancing NGWA key policy priorities
President Donald J. Trump signed into law the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) on October 23, a re-authorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) combined with legislation building on the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Doing so provides support to several programs including flood control, water storage, and drinking water programs.
NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CIC, hailed the legislation’s passage, calling it “a validation of the collective efforts made by NGWA volunteers to promote the importance of investing in groundwater.”
AWIA was passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in September. Typically, WRDA legislation has a narrow focus on navigation, dams, and levees, but after concerted efforts by NGWA and other organizations, the AWIA legislation includes a significant number of provisions affecting drinking water programs.
NGWA’s top priorities in AWIA:
- Drinking Water Infrastructure: Authorizes increased funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. DWSRF funds can be used for a range of purposes including supporting construction, upgrading, and maintenance of rural infrastructure such as wells and well systems.
- $1.174 billion FY2019
- $1.3 billion FY2020
- $1.95 billion FY2021
- Groundwater Recharge: Re-authorization of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFA) program for two years at $50 million per year, which finances large projects like managed aquifer recharge projects. The legislation also removes the “pilot” designation of the program.
- PFAS: Requires water systems serving more than 3,300 people to monitor for unregulated contaminants.
- Resilience Planning: Provides funds to water systems to develop resilience plans to address extreme weather.
Passage of AWIA highlights the effectiveness of NGWA advocacy as several provisions NGWA advocated for during the NGWA Groundwater Fly-In in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were signed into law on October 23.
For more NGWA Government Affairs information, including details of the 2019 NGWA Groundwater Fly-In, visit: https://www.ngwa.org/get-involved/advocacy.
Blog Post related to Social Justice, Climate, Water Infrastructure and the Water Professional.
Just a few points:
For Professionals and Planners
- Please remember we must work with the processes on Planet Earth and not against them and we need to ADAPT!
- We must start being honest, the biggest problem or concern is not carbon dioxide or methane emissions, but inefficiency, building in the wrong areas (like floodplains, unstable ground, and land that is actively sinking.)
- We must consider water as a resource in all its forms. So instead of stormwater, wastewater, drinking water, we have to consider this as a resource to reuse, promote groundwater recharge, and stop water mining and over allocations.
- Education – Continuing Education Courses and PDH Credits
For Public and Citizen Scientist
- We must remember that water is not the only path for contamination migration and many times we are are the last line of defense and it is our home environment and the consumer products and lifestyle that plays a major role.
- We recommend, the following:
- Get in indoor air quality checked – mold, radon, lead dust.
- Get your drinking water tested and please clean the screen on your sink faucets.
- Conservation Helps
- Get a Neighboorhood Hazard Reports.
- Get the Facts and Do not Push the fear!
Sustainable Infrastructure & Resilience Webinar Series
NCSE, Arizona State University School of Sustainability, and the Security and Sustainability Forum are hosting a series of webinars in a lead up to the NCSE 2019 Annual Conference. The first webinar focused on Actionable Science Solutions for Local Resilience. Speakers shared successful practices at the local science-policy intersect and explored the role of universities in local resilience. Learn more and watch the webinar recording.
Job Posting: Forest Watch Coordinator – Sierra Club Pennsylvania
Note: The Keystone Clean Water Team is a political. We are a fact based organization and to maintain this balance, we are posting this job announcement. Please review.
Chapter: Pennsylvania
Reports To: Chapter Director
Context: Pennsylvania’s public spaces are in peril from drilling. In order to prevent this catastrophe, we need to organize and implement the Pennsylvania Forest Watch Campaign to increase the number of people involved, leaders trained, and engagement of people with influence to achieve our conservation goals. Plans, organizes and coordinates the activities of staff and volunteers in carrying out the Forest Watch Plan, a campaign that leads members on outings in state parks and forests threatened by oil and gas drilling. Develops organizing strategies and priorities for moving campaign forward with our allies.
Scope: Under direction of the Chapter Director or the assigned volunteer leader, implements the Chapter’s PA Forest Watch Initiative in the Delaware River watershed. Responsible for recruiting, engaging, and motivating large numbers of new people to take repeated action which will further Sierra Club’s Forest Watch campaign. Working closely with Chapter and National staff, the Program Coordinator will identify and develop volunteers to take on the role of team outings leaders and build grassroots power and networks. Identifies and builds alliances with other organizations that will provide assistance with the Forest Watch Program.
The Program Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and effective implementation of the Forest Watch Campaign. Oversees creating the conservation campaign and developing the strategy and helps to carry out organizational and issue visibility in regional, national media and in the local community. Provides leadership in working with volunteer leaders, national, state and local conservation staff on conservation. Evaluates and measures success of activities within the campaign to ensure progress towards the campaign or program’s mission and goals. Helps determine changes to strategies needed to reach goals.
Job Activities:
- Develops and implements campaign strategies for the Forest Watch Initiative in the Delaware River watershed in accordance with the chapter policy.
- Recruits, coordinates and facilitates grassroots involvement and cultivates relationships with public officials and our allies, like ALLARM and Stroud Water Research to implement the Forest Watch Campaign in the Delaware River watershed.
- Works with staff volunteer leaders and other interest groups to identify, recruit and organize volunteers for conservation campaigns.
- Plans, develops and implements campaign strategies to obtain media coverage in regional and national media outlets. Participates in the development of media campaigns; may represent the Sierra Club in the media; promotes volunteer media exposure.
- Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates laws, initiatives and new developments affecting a specific conservation issue at the community, state and national levels.
- Makes presentations to community, political, and governmental bodies regarding chapter conservation efforts. Writes press releases newsletters, flyers, etc. to keep the Club membership and the general public informed.
- Advocates the Sierra Club position on proposed legislation involving conservation programs; informs and communicates with elected officials, business leaders, governmental agencies, and other nonprofit organizations.
- Conducts surveys, investigations, and research needed to achieve objectives of conservation program.
- Works on task forces, committees, etc. representing the Club’s objective or mission.
- Works closely with media representatives to ensure that the message of the Club is accurately represented by the media.
- Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Knowledge & Skills:
— BA/BS degree or equivalent experience in Environmental Studies, Outdoor Education or a closely related field.
— 1-2 years experience in the environmental field that includes outdoor education, organizing campaigns, and public speaking.
— Excellent written and oral communication skills.
— Proficient computer skills
— Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers.
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Master Watershed Steward Program Monroe County Pennsylvania
January 8, 2018
Penn State Extension and the Monroe County Conservation District are excited to launch the Master Watershed Steward Program.
The Master Watershed Steward program is a collaborative effort between Penn State Extension, Monroe County Conservation District, and local conservation groups. It is similar to the Master Gardener program and is designed to train people in a formal way about the basics of water resource stewardship, creating an energized and educated group of citizens. Currently, the MWS program is in 13 counties across the state and has 194 volunteers that have contributed over 7,500 volunteer hours in 2017.
We are recruiting 20-25 interested people for the class of 2018. The class will consist of 40 hours of training on various topics, including water quality, stream health, groundwater, native plants, and recreational resources. Once this part of the training is complete, trainees perform 50 hours of volunteer service on selected projects such as:
– Organizing and executing stream cleanups.
– Designing and installing demonstration rain gardens.
– Assist in stream restorations.
– Organize educational workshops addressing topics such as rain barrels, pollution prevention, invasive plant control, and stormwater management.
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Applicants are welcome from all walks of life. If under 18, you must be accompanied by a guardian or adult. The program will start on Thursday, March 1, 2018, 6:00-8:30 pm and will continue every Thursday through May. There will be several Saturday field trips.
An informational session at 6:30 pm will be held on January18 at:
Monroe County Conservation District
8050 Running Valley Rd.
Stroudsburg, Pa.
If interested, please contact:
Jim Vogt
Phone: 570-421-6430
Email: jav45@psu.edu
Web: extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/counties/monroe
Penn State Extension
Monroe County
724 Phillips Street, Suite 201
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Job VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Executive Director, Pike County Conservation District, Pike County, Pennsylvania
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PIKE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) is accepting applications for a full-time Executive Director (ED). Challenging position responsible for management of the overall administration and supervision of Conservation District programs, personnel, and operations implementing the Conservation District Mission within Pike County. Must be a leader, a service-oriented individual with high ethical standards and excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. Must have a knowledge of current natural resource conservation issues, practices and programs. ED supervises a staff of 7. Pike County position with a competitive salary and benefit package. Pike County is an EOE. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science or related field with demonstrated experience of at least two (2) years (including supervisory experience), or any equivalent combination of experience. Must possess and maintain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license. Clear Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check, all Child Abuse History Clearances and FBI fingerprint clearance are required. Applicants must submit: 1) Letter of Interest addressed to Conservation District Selection Committee and 2) A Detailed Resume including references. Send to ATTENTION OF: Selection Committee, Pike County Conservation District, 556 Route 402, Hawley, PA 18428. Must be received by PCCD no later than January 5, 2018 closing date for applications. Hard copy submissions preferred. Email submissions send only to scorrigan@pikepa.org. Please read minimum qualifications thoroughly and demonstrate you meet requirements in the materials you submit.
THANK YOU
Sally Corrigan, Executive Director
Pike County Conservation District
scorrigan@pikepa.org
570-226-8220 (t) Ext. 1338
www.pikeconservation.org
Training Courses
Professional Management Courses including Project and Non-profit Management
Water Resource Training Courses – Wetlands, Smart Development, Sustainability, Stream Restoration, and More.
Susquehanna River Basin Commission – Water Withdraws – Fact Sheet Registration.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Commission) is contacting you because you may have clients who are affected by a new program for registration of unapproved water withdrawals and consumptive water uses in the Basin. We are seeking your assistance to help ensure that facility managers are aware of and complete registration by the deadline of December 31, 2019.
An initial contact letter and registration factsheet (GFregistration-grandfathered-water-withdraws-factsheet) was sent to more than 1,300 facilities by direct mail this week. The targeted grandfathered facilities/sources are those where water withdrawals or consumptive uses equal or exceed the regulatory thresholds, but began operating before the applicable regulations became effective. These water withdrawals and uses are generally considered to be exempt from obtaining a Commission docket, provided there has been no environmental harm and no changes are made at the facility.
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The Commission has initiated the registration effort after reviewing the results of our Cumulative Water Use and Availability Study that highlighted major gaps in the data the Commission needs in order to effectively manage the water resources of the Basin. We estimated that there are possibly more than 700 older, unpermitted facilities with an estimated water use of nearly one billion gallons per day. If accurate, this volume of water use is roughly equal to the total amount currently accounted for, and managed, by the Commission across the entire Basin.
Informational webinars explaining the registration program will be conducted by Commission staff on November 14 and December 13, 2017. To register for a webinar, visit www.srbc.net/grandfathering-registration.
If you need additional information or assistance, visit the website or contact Commission staff at GFregistration@srbc.net.
Thank you,
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Waste-to-Energy Workshop- Small Scale Digesters and Combined Heat and Power
Featured Link: Training Professionals for the Energy Sector.
Waste-to-Energy Workshop: Improving the Feasibility of Small-Scale Digesters and CHP
This event will take place at West Chester University of Pennsylvania on December 1st, 2017 at 10 am. It will focus on the emerging market of small-scale organic waste-to-energy systems for campuses and facilities, food processors, and breweries, as well as small farms and wastewater treatment plants. The event is free and open to those in related industries or academic studies. A discussion and networking luncheon will follow the seminar.
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Speakers will include Dr. John Pisciotta of the Pisciotta Lab at West Chester University who has developed microbially-based platforms for bioremediation of waste streams into fuels and useful products. Ken Smith of SeaB Energy, which produces modular digesters, and Jill Santos and Dan Sodomsky of Duryea Technologies, a manufacturer of brushless motors and gen sets for biogas applications, will present new commercial technologies for small-scale waste-to-energy.
For additional details, directions and to RSVP, please visit wcuwastetoenergy.eventbrite.com.
Contact:
Julien Sherwood
Event Organizer
Student, Department of Political Science
West Chester University
205 Ruby Jones Hall
50 University Avenue
West Chester, PA 19383