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*JULY 2025*

In this issue:

* Legislative Update - $50,000,000 Water Quality Bond Carried Over. [ #link_6 ]
* DMR-QA Study 45. [ #link_1 ]
* Scott Firmin Named General Manager of Portland Water District. [ #link_2 ]
* Summer Wastewater Operational Problems – Part 1. [ #link_1389912066563 ]
* Certification and Training Update. [ #link_3 ]
* Distinguishing Between SSO and CSO Discharges Do You Know the Difference? [ #link_5 ]
* For Practice - SSO/CSO Quiz. [ #link_1389912072571 ]
* Wishing you a wonderful and safe 4th of July! [ #link_4 ]

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Legislative Update - $50,000,000 Water Quality Bond Carried Over.

As previously mentioned, the Department of Environmental Protection submitted legislation for a $50,000,000 bond that would provide grants to publicly owned treatment works for infrastructure projects facilitating proper management and disposal of wastewater sludge or biosolids, such as dryer and digestor projects.

The legislature recently adjourned without taking up the 20 general fund bonds that were introduced this session, including LD 25, "An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects". LD 25 will likely be carried over to the next legislative session starting in January 2026.  Additional information will be provided once the next legislative session convenes.

Thanks to everyone who has worked on this important issue.   

Questions on this issue should be directed to Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality, [email protected], 530-0293.

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DMR-QA Study 45.

DMR-QA Study 45 officially opened June 6th, 2025. All facilities that participate in the DMR-QA program should have received the announcement letter for Study 45.

For those of you that may not have received a copy of the announcement letter for Study 45, the latest version can be found here: Discharge Monitoring Report - Quality Assurance Study 25 (2025) [ [link removed] ].

You can meet your DMR-QA requirements by participating in a specific DMR-QA 45 study or a Water Pollution (WP) study.  See page 5 of the *DMR-QA Study 45 Announcement* for more information on participating in WP Proficiency studies to satisfy DMR-QA requirements.

All results must be reported to the DMR-QA supplier by August 29th, 2025. If you participate in a WP study, you must meet the WP study deadline. So be sure to pay attention to the dates for the study being performed by your facility.

NPDES Permittee Data Report Form (found on page 13 of the study packet) along with a copy of the graded test results and laboratory checklists are due to the State DMR-QA Coordinator ([email protected]) by October 24th, 2025.

If your laboratory happens to receive a “Not-Acceptable” score for one or more parameters, you must complete a corrective action and perform retests for all parameters with Not Acceptable results. A copy of the corrective action report and retest results must be sent to the State DMR-QA coordinator by December 5th, 2025. 

If you have questions about the DMR-QA program, please contact Brett Goodrich at 207-450-5590 or [email protected].

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Scott Firmin Named General Manager of Portland Water District.

Headshot of Scott Firmin

Congratulations to Scott Firmin who has been named the General Manager of the Portland Water District (PWD). Scott served as the Director of PWD’s Wastewater Services since 2010 and brings more than three decades of leadership and engineering experience to the role, along with a distinguished record of service to the wastewater industry.

Scott joined PWD in 2001 as an Operations Engineer and later became a member of PWD’s Senior Management Team as Director of Wastewater Services. His role has included shaping organizational priorities, advancing infrastructure investments, and ensuring regulatory compliance in support of PWD’s long-term mission. In addition to his work at PWD, Scott is active in industry organizations. He is the incoming President of the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) and is serving a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Biosolids and Residuals Association (NEBRA). Nationally, he was selected to participate in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stakeholder workshop on PFAS mitigation in Biosolids. Locally, Scott is a co-founder of JETTC’s Wastewater Operator School (WOS) and a frequent trainer for activated sludge process control, as well as his beloved math-wheel training sessions.



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Summer Wastewater Operational Problems – Part 1.

"Copyrighted material. Reprinted with permission from "Environmental Leverage, Inc. www.environmentalleverage.com [ [link removed] ]." The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. "

It’s summer again. As we usher in the warm weather, the hot seasonal weather can also bring wastewater treatment problems for operators. The most common problems encountered during the summer months are:


* too high a sludge age, resulting in deteriorated sludge solids quality (increased solids/TSS in the final effluent),
* filamentous bulking caused by too low an F/M ratio (too old SRT), and
* odor control problems. 

This month we will discuss potential problems from having too high a sludge age.

The sludge age problem starts with an increased rate of biological activity during warm weather. For every increase of 10 degrees C in temperature, the reproductive rate of the bacteria increases by one log’s growth (ten-fold increase). Therefore, to hold a desired food to microorganism ratio (F/M) and sludge age, you need to increase the wasting rate in an activated sludge plant. If you don’t make this seasonal adjustment, these are some of the things that can happen.

The solids concentration in the system will grow faster than the food supply, causing the older bacteria (usually those on the inside of a floc) to starve to death and lyse.

BOD and nutrients are re-released from the dead cells. This can be critical in municipalities where the supernatant from sludge digesters or supernatant from dewatering equipment is recycled back to the head of the system. This can cause an overload of ammonia (NH3) and orthophosphate (O-PO4), making it hard to meet nutrient removal limits.

As the cell wall ruptures and other bacteria feed on the dead cell’s protoplasm, older, anaerobic dead spots build up in the floc. The floc structure is now weaker, which can result in shearing of the floc. This older, smaller floc can be lost over the weirs of the secondary clarifier as "pin floc"/turbidity (floc particles of less than 1/32 inch in size).

Ashing may also occur. This is when fine particles rise and spread over the surface of the clarifier (and the settleometer) because the floc is over-oxidized. The addition of flocculants or coagulants will help a little, but not to a satisfactory degree. Wasting is usually the best measure.

Gassing can occur, causing sludge particles to float and go over the weirs, contributing to poor settleability and TSS problems. This is due to holding the solids too long in the clarifier with insufficient free oxygen, resulting in denitrification or gasification.

Future articles will discuss more issues encountered in the summer months, including algae, duckweed, and filamentous bacteria.

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Certification and Training Update.

A picture containing text, clipart

*MEWEA Lab Committee Presenting FREE BOD5 “Lab Chat” Webinar Training Class*

The MEWEA Laboratory Committee is hosting a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) “Lab Chat” training session on July 10 from 11 AM - 1 PM. This 2-hour FREE webinar will give wastewater analysts an opportunity to share BOD5 troubleshooting advice, best practices, and, most importantly, provide a safe, judgement-free forum to discuss this often-problematic test method.

The class is approved for 2 Wastewater TCHs.

Interested? Please sign-up with Phyllis Rand at: [email protected].

*RCAP Presents Rate Setting for Capital Improvements*

Join RCAP Solutions for a free training course, "Rate Setting for Capital Improvements" at the Houlton Elks Lodge • 86 Main Street, Houlton, ME 04730 [ [link removed] ] on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM. The course is approved for 4 TCHs for Maine Drinking Water _and_ Wastewater Operators. There is _no cost_ to attend this training. Lunch will be served.

The course will provide systems of all sizes an understanding of the importance of rate setting to fund capital improvement, including rate structures through asset management (GIS Mapping, Capital Improvement Planning, Inventory Controls for Asset Management, etc.) as well as billing cycles and finances, budgets, reserve accounts, and financial monitoring. Possible cameo from the Public Utilities Commission during the training. The program will also look at key management areas and maintaining an active Board. Board members, operators, managers, accounting personnel and support staff are encouraged to join.

To register, go to [link removed].

Questions? Contact Wade Hanson, Community Specialist, [email protected].

*MWUA 2025 Annual Summer Outing August 5 at Lost valley Ski Area*

Join MWUA at their Annual Summer Outing. This year's event will be at Lost Valley Ski Area on August 5, 2025 starting at 8 AM. The technical sessions include "Lewiston Redundant Waterline "presented by Heidi Baird, Tighe & Bond and "Unidirectional Flushing Programs" presented by Heather Doolittle, Tighe & Bond. They are approved for 1 TCH each.

This year's BBQ will include steak, lobsters, hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, Caesar salad, and mac and cheese. 

To register, go to MWUA Summer Outing - MWUA [ [link removed] ].

*EPA to Offer FREE Cybersecurity training for Maine Water & Wastewater Operators*

EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), in collaboration with the Maine CDC and DEP is hosting a "Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan Webinar" and accompanying "Cybersecurity Overview and Tabletop Exercise" for drinking water and wastewater utilities in Maine.

The webinars will assist Water & Wastewater utilities in developing cybersecurity incident response plans that can be tested against the cyber incident presented in the tabletop exercise. Maine public water and wastewater system owners, operators, and IT professionals are encouraged to attend.


* September 3, 9 AM – 10 AM - Developing a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
* Approved for 1 Wastewater TCH
* To register, go to: Incident Response Plan Workshop for Maine's Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities | US EPA [ [link removed] ].

* September 24, 9 AM – noon – Cybersecurity Overview and Tabletop Exercise
* Approved for 3 Wastewater TCHs
* To register, go to: Cybersecurity Overview and Tabletop Exercise for Maine's Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities | US EPA [ [link removed] ].

Attendance at both the webinar and tabletop exercise is highly encouraged. Additional questions concerning this course can be directed by email to Melanie Woods, GDIT (EPA Contractor) at [email protected].

*Maine’s Management Candidate School – Coming This Fall*

This 11-month training program is aimed at mid-level operators with management potential. Participants gain professional development through management courses, technical courses (such as engineering basics and construction planning), and skills training in areas of personnel management, communication, working with regulatory agencies, and budget preparation.

More information and registration will be available soon at Maine’s Management Candidate School • NEIWPCC [ [link removed] ].

*MeWEA's Fall Convention September 18-19, 2025, at Sunday River *

Call for Abstracts - The Maine Water Environment Association’s (MEWEA) Fall Convention is an annual two-day conference packed with professional development and networking opportunities for all wastewater professions and anyone who has an interest in the environment and clean water.

The in-person event taking place September 18-19 at Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine. More information will be available soon at Events [ [link removed] ].

*Save the Date for MRWA’s 45th Annual Conference & Trade Show*

Mark your calendars for MRWA’s 45th Annual Conference & Trade Show. The event will be held on December 9 - 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

More information can be found at; Event Registration - Maine Rural Water Association [ [link removed] ].



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Distinguishing Between SSO and CSO Discharges Do You Know the Difference?

Every Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) permittee in Maine has the following clause, covering CSO’s, included in a Special Condition of their MEPDES permit:


* " Prohibited Discharges"

"a) The discharge of dry weather flows is prohibited. All such discharges must be reported to the Department in accordance with Standard Condition D (1) of this permit."

"b) No discharge shall occur as a result of mechanical failure, improper design or inadequate operation or maintenance"

"c) No discharges shall occur at flow rates below the maximum design capacities of the wastewater treatment facility, pumping stations or sewerage system. "

There seems to be some confusion on the distinction between a permit compliant CSO discharge, which is legally protected under the CSO Abatement program, and a permit non-compliant CSO discharge which is a prohibited discharge, also known as a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO). SSO’s are subject to 24-hour reporting rules and possible fines and enforcement action if they occur on a chronic basis.

*Permit Compliant CSO Discharge* – any *wet weather* CSO discharge which occurs while the CSO permittee is implementing a CSO Abatement Master Plan.

*Permit Non-Compliant CSO Discharge* – any discharge which meets the definition of Prohibited Discharges shown previously. Discharges which happen in dry weather, discharges due to mechanical failure or poor O&M and discharges that happen when wet weather flow rates fall below the maximum design capacity of the WWTF, pump stations and sewer collection system. All of these are considered permit non-compliant discharges, aka SSO’s.

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For Practice - SSO/CSO Quiz.

1. A sewer line downstream of several restaurants becomes blocked with a buildup of grease. Flow backs up and over the weir in a CSO regulator structure and discharges out the CSO outfall on a beautiful sunny day. Is this considered a:

a. CSO
b. SSO

2. A pump station which feeds the treatment plant is at reduced capacity because one of their three active pumps is out of service for repairs and their spare pump is not operational either. During subsequent wet weather, high flows to the pump station overwhelmed the two pumps that were operating, leading to high wetwell levels and discharge from the CSO outfall associated with the pump station. Is this considered a:

a. CSO
b. SSO

3. A CSO permittee who is successfully implementing a multi-decade CSO abatement program has a discharge at a CSO outfall that occurs during dry weather. Is this considered a:

a. CSO
b. SSO

4. A CSO permittee who is successfully implementing a multi-decade CSO abatement program has a discharge at a CSO outfall due to unseasonably warm temperatures resulting in a large snowmelt with frozen ground. Is this considered a:

a. CSO
b. SSO

5. A major pump station loses electrical power and the emergency generator on an Automatic Transfer Switch fails to start leading to high levels in the wetwell and a discharge out the CSO outfall adjacent to the Pump Station. Is this considered a:

a. CSO
b. SSO

6. Bonus Question: What type of discharge is prohibited, considered a permit non-compliant discharge, under virtually all conditions?

*Answers:*

1.) SSO – the discharge was the result of poor O&M, which resulted in a pipe blockage, and it happened during dry weather. Both conditions are reasons to designate this as a prohibited discharge.

2.) SSO - the discharge was the result of pumping at less than maximum design capacity of the pump station and is a prohibited discharge.

3.) SSO – how the CSO community is doing implementing their CSO Master Plan is not germane to the question. The discharge occurred during dry weather which is prohibited under virtually all circumstances regardless of how well the CSO community is doing on CSO abatement.

4.) CSO – this is the one circumstance where a discharge during dry weather may be allowable if it can be proven that snow melt was sufficient to cause the discharge

5.) SSO – the discharge was the result of mechanical failure and therefore considered a prohibited discharge.
Bonus Question: Dry Weather Overflows (see the one exception described in Question 4)

Questions about CSO/SSO? Contact Mike Riley at [email protected].

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Wishing you a wonderful and safe 4th of July!




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