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*October 2023*

In this issue:

* Upcoming Conferences. [ #link_1 ]
* Renewal Letters in Mail for Even Numbered Operators. [ #link_2 ]
* Training Highlights. [ #link_3 ]
* DEP Chapter 531 Update. [ #link_4 ]
* Maine DEP Proposes Delegated Authority of Cooling Water Intake Structures. [ #link_5 ]
* DMR-QA Study 43 Winding Down. [ #link_7 ]
* For Practice. [ #link_6 ]

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Upcoming Conferences.

conferences

*NERPCA Annual Workshop, October 24 ? 26, 2023, Sheraton Nashua, Nashua, NH, *[link removed].

*MRWA ? 43rd Annual Conference and Trade Show**, December 5-7, 2024, Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, *[link removed]

*NEWEA - Annual Conference & Exhibit, January 21-24, 2024 ? Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Boston, MA*, [link removed]

*MWUA ? **Annual Tradeshow & Conference, January 31- February 1, 2024, Augusta Civic Center,* [link removed]



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Renewal Letters in Mail for Even Numbered Operators.

For those operators who need to renew their certification by March 1, 2024, please check your mail for your renewal letter.? If you have moved or changed your address, please contact Spring Connolly, [email protected] or call 207-253-8020.

You can renew online at [link removed].? Also use the website to check your Total Contact Hours (TCH) totals.

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Training Highlights.

*Alfond Center Offers 50% Training Reimbursement*

The Alfond Center for the Development of Maine?s Workforce is offering a 50% match for Workforce Development training. ?For more information on this funding opportunity, visit the Center?s website, [link removed] contact Edward Wright [email protected]?or (207) 227-2603.

*Veolia Academy Offers Free Water/ Wastewater Online Training*__

Workforce is one of the top three stressors among all water and wastewater utilities in the United States. It all starts with finding qualified candidates, a barrier to entry that holds many back from achieving operator status.

To address this industry-wide problem, Veolia Academy is now offering online water and wastewater training classes FREE OF CHARGE. Many of these classes are approved by the Maine DEP for continuing education credit.?

For more information about the online, self-paced education platform, visit [link removed].

*Management Candidate School*

JETCC is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications for its next Management Candidate School class. Classes will meet monthly at the Yarmouth Public Safety Building and are scheduled to begin November 8, 2023. ACT NOW! Application deadline is October 18th.?Space is limited and selected candidates will be notified by October 23rd.

This exciting training program is aimed at mid-level operators with management potential. Topics include management courses, technical courses (such as engineering basics and construction planning), and skills training in areas of personnel management, communication, dealing with regulatory agencies, and budget preparation.? Visit JETCC?s website [ [link removed] ] for more information.

This class is eligible for the *50% Alfond Center reimbursement,? C*ontact Edward Wright for more information, [email protected]?or (207) 227-2603.

*Wastewater Operator School*

Wastewater Operator School is returning in January 2024. This 6-month, 12-session program is designed to give in-depth training to entry level operators, technicians, and others seeking to increase their understanding of biological wastewater treatment concepts. The program includes demonstrations, treatment plant tours, applied wastewater math, and practice questions to help understand concepts and prepare for certification exams. Beginning January 4, 2024, classes will meet every other week at Portland Water District and other southern Maine treatment facilities. Visit JETCC?s website [ [link removed] ] for more information.

This class is eligible for the *50% Alfond Center reimbursement,? C*ontact Edward Wright for more information, [email protected]?or (207) 227-2603.

*MRWA?s Apprenticeship Program - "Building Our Industry Workforce"*

MRWA?s Apprenticeship Program is a nationally recognized program for candidates with limited or no experience. It is divided into three different tracks, Water, Wastewater, and Joint Water and Wastewater. Each apprentice is assigned a mentor during their time in the program. Our staff will work with facilities to help select mentors, provide coaching, and create a nationally recognized schedule of work. We will also provide the apprentice with technical training, including certification prep for professional licensure. ? Interested in learning more? Candidates can submit their information for the program through this online application: CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION [ [link removed] ]

*For the classes listed below, please go to www.jetcc.org [ [link removed] ] for more information.*

*Proper Application of Industrial Tanks and Process Electrical Heat (Virtual)*

October 5, 2023, 2 TCHs. As urban centers grow and treatment facilities handle larger volumes of influent, having effective O&M procedures in place is vital for their long-term success. Two commonly overlooked areas of maintenance are the proper use of tanks and electric heating. In this course we will discuss these areas in detail. Instructed by Jay Frenette and Rob Zerrillo from Eastern Reliability.

*NEWEA Lab Analyst 1 Certification Exam Prep (In-person)*

Oct. 10-11, 2023, Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District, Waterville, 12 TCHs. This two-day, 12-hour course is intended for those preparing to take the NEWEA Lab Analyst I Certification exam. Participants will receive basic to intermediate instruction on laboratory practices. Instructed by Phyllis Arnold Rand, Compass Rose Training Solutions.

*NEWEA Collection System Math Primer (Virtual)*

October 19, 2023, 3 TCHs. This optional prerequisite to our NEWEA Collection Systems Certification Exam Prep course is intended for those who need to brush up on their basic math skills prior to attending the exam prep course. Instructed by Don Kennedy, NEIWPCC.

*NEWEA Collection System Certification Exam Prep (In-person)*

Oct. 25-26, 2023, F.W. Webb Company, Hampden, 12 TCHs. This two-session, 12-hour in-person course is intended for those preparing to take Grades 1 through 4 of the NEWEA Collection Systems Certification exams. Participants will receive instruction on collection system operation and maintenance (O&M). Instructed by Don Kennedy, NEIWPCC.

*Certification Resources, forms, and guidance documents*

Information on the Department?s Wastewater Operator Certification Program can be found at the website? [link removed] [ [link removed] ].? The Additional Materials section provides links to training documents, forms, public and private training providers, and a calendar of upcoming training opportunities offered by non-profit organizations.? The calendar is emailed to certified operators monthly.

The NEIWPCC/JETCC website, [link removed] provides information on signing up for an exam, training classes, and certification renewal.? Contact call Spring Conolly at [email protected] or call 207-253-8020 for more information.

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DEP Chapter 531 Update.

update

The Board of Environmental Protection recently adopted revisions to the Department rule Chapter 531 that covers wastewater treatment plant classification and operator certification requirements. This completed a multi-year process that included stakeholder meetings and a public comment period. The new rule can be found at this website:

[link removed] [ [link removed] ]

Key changes include: reformatting and updates for clarity, changes from paper-based to computer-based testing, adding a definition section, revised classification of wastewater plants to include unit operations and complexity in the plant rating, steps a person must take to reinstate their certification following revocation, changes to contract operations (ConOps) requirements to allow up to 90-days of an interim contract pending Department approval of a final ConOps contract, a professional code of conduct to be followed by operators, a new Provisional operator classification, and changes to the education and experience requirements for certain grade levels.? The Department will be providing additional information about the ch 531 revisions on the Department?s training and certification website, [link removed] [ [link removed] ].?

For more information, contact [email protected].



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Maine DEP Proposes Delegated Authority of Cooling Water Intake Structures.

Maine DEP is proposing to seek delegated authority under USEPA?s Clean Water Act licensing program regulating cooling water intake structures. The EPA rule, found at 40 CFR part 125, subpart I [ [link removed] ] and subpart J [ [link removed] ],? addresses the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures at new facilities in order to minimize adverse environmental impacts associated with their use.?

In order to become delegated, the DEP is planning to adopt a new Department rule, Chapter 526, based on the existing USEPA rules.? DEP does not propose any substantive changes to the existing rule as currently administered by USEPA.

The Department welcomes your input on this proposal. Please contact Matthew Hight at [email protected] or 207-719 0703 with any comments or concerns before October 18, 2023. After this initial comment period the Department plans to proceed with rulemaking. To keep informed about the rulemaking process you may sign up for email notices here [ [link removed] ] or visit the Department?s rulemaking page at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

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DMR-QA Study 43 Winding Down.

Permittees had until September 29th, 2023, to submit to the DMR-QA coordinator their signed copies of the NPDES Permittee Data Report Form, copies of the PT Provider-graded test results, Chemistry/ Microbiology and the WET Checklists for each laboratory used.

For those who failed a test, a Corrective Action (CA) report is due to MeDEP by November 9th.? This can be a short email describing why you think you failed and what changes you are making to correct the problem for the future.? The CA report could include such things as replacing or updating instrumentation, calibrations, enhanced cleaning procedures, purchasing new glassware, alternate DI water source, and improved techniques, analyst training, and data validation procedures.?

Also due to MeDEP by November 9th are retest results for the failed analytes.? If you also fail the retest, MeDEP will review the situation and CA report.? Possible outcomes for repeat failures include technical assistance, analyst training, and splitting samples with commercial laboratories. Depending on the circumstances, MeDEP may require the facility to use a commercial lab until such time that the MEPDES lab can show proficiency for in-house testing.

If you have any questions about the DMR-QA program, or need to update your contact information, please contact the DMR-QA coordinator at [email protected] or call 207-287-9034.

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For Practice.

1.? When organic wastes are discharged to receiving waters, oxygen is depleted by:

a.?????? Algae during the day

b.?????? Bacteria

c.?????? Ducks

d.?????? Limestone Rocks

2.? Employee hazards include:

a.?????? Noxious or toxic gases or vapors

b.?????? Oxygen deficiency

c.?????? Physical injuries

d.?????? All of the above

3.? Hydrogen sulfide gives off an odor similar to:

a.?????? Ammonia

b.?????? Chlorine Gas

c.?????? Rotten eggs

d.?????? Decayed wood

4.? Coliform bacteria are:

a.?????? Indicators

b.?????? Algae

c.?????? Coagulant aids

d.?????? Sequestering agents

5.? Three waterborne diseases are:

a.?????? Mumps, measles, colds

b.?????? Typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera

c.?????? Scarlet fever, pneumonia, hay fever

d.?????? Tuberculosis, diphtheria, chickenpox

6.? A cylindrical tank is 10 ft. in diameter and 20 ft in height. What is the approximate capacity in gallons?

a.?????? 11,775

b.? ? ? ? 8,200

b.?????? 1,570

c.?????? 1,123

7.? Immediate first aid for burns is to:

a.?????? Bandage tightly

b.?????? Cover liberally with salve

c.?????? Immerse in warm water

d.?????? Flood with cold water

8.? Which of the pH readings indicates an acidic wastewater?

a.? ? ? ?3

b.? ? ? ?7

c.? ? ? ?9

d.? ? ? ?12

9.? If water weighs 8.341b/gal., how much will 7.5 gal. weigh?

a.? ? ? 50.8 lb

b.? ? ? 62.5 lb

c.? ? ? 75.61b

d.? ? ? 77.31b

10.? One mL is what fraction of L?

a.? ? ? 1/10

b.? ? ? 1/100

c.? ? ? 1/1000

d.? ? ? 1/10,000

?

*Answers*


* b
* d
* c
* a
* b
* a. Volume = 0.785 X Diameter X Diameter X Height X 7.5 gal/cubic ft. -? 0.785 X 10ft X 10 ft X 20 ft X 7.5 gal/cu ft = 11,775 gal

* d
* a
* b
* c

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