O & M Newsletter headerEnviroNews banner: forest stream, lake cottage, landfill construction, autumn field, winter lakefront
*OCTOBER 2025*

In this issue:

* DEP Updates MEPDES Renewal Applications. [ #link_1 ]
* DMR-QA Study 45. [ #link_1389912066563 ]
* Certification and Training Update. [ #link_1389912068132 ]
* For Practice. [ #link_1389912072571 ]

________________________________________________________________________



DEP Updates MEPDES Renewal Applications.

Graphic illustrating update

When you are ready to renew your permit, you should be aware of changes to the application forms. Please remember to submit a complete application to DEP prior to the permit expiration date, otherwise your facility will be discharging without a license and could be subject to enforcement action. 

Below is guidance to navigate changes to Maine DEP’s MEPDES/WDL application process.

_Digital Submissions for Wastewater Applications_

The Department is moving to digital submissions for wastewater applications via a designated DEP email site. We no longer require permittees to send two print copies to the Department. However, please send one copy with the wet signature page(s) of your application to Laura Crossley, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Please also submit your entire application as a single pdf to: [email protected]. 

_Application Form Submission Updates_

All permittees must complete "Maine DEP Form DEPLW0105-B2003 General Application Form". The updated form can be found at this link:  General Application [ [link removed] ]. Be sure to include any additional forms specified on page 4 of the application.

POTWs must also submit "EPA Form 2A for New and Existing Publicly Owned Treatment Works", which will temporarily replace the form "MEDEP DEPLW0106". The application form can be found at: EPA Form 2A [ [link removed] ].

In addition, new or existing treatment works treating domestic sewage that discharge to waters of the state need to complete "EPA’s Form 2S: NPDES Permitting Program: New and Existing Treatment Works Treating Domestic Sewage, Application Form 2S (epa.gov) which can be found at this link: ""Application Form 2S" [ [link removed] ]"."

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) must fill "out EPA Form 1 – Application for NPDES Permit to Discharge Wastewater – General Information", Maine's General application and the MEDEP CAFO form found at these links: 


* NPDES Permitting Program: General Information, Application Form 1 (epa.gov) [ [link removed] ]_; _
* MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION [ [link removed] ]_; _and __
* Microsoft Word - DEPLW0569 - CAFO and Livestock Operation Permit Application.doc (maine.gov) [ [link removed] ]__

Note: Always follow MEDEP’s instructions when filling out forms!

_Signatory Policy Updates_

MEDEP is updating our signatory policies to coincide with 40 CFR Part 122.22, as follows:


* All POTW applications must be signed by an elected Select Board Member, Town Manager or equivalent.
* All non-POTW applications must be signed by an owner, responsible corporate officer, or manager having the duty of making major capital investment recommendations and initiating and directing other comprehensive long-term environmental compliance measures.

More information on signatory requirements for different types of organizations can be found in 40 CFR 122.22 Signatories to permit applications and reports [ [link removed] ].

Maine DEP is happy to answer your questions about these changes to the application and submission process. Please contact the Licensing Coordinator, [email protected], 207-615-6711 to discuss further.



________________________________________________________________________



DMR-QA Study 45.

DMR-QA Study 45 closed August 29th, 2025, at which time all results were due to the DMR-QA supplier. Results must be submitted to the DMR-QA coordinator by October 24th, 2025.

If you did not complete and report your DMR-QA results by August 29, 2025, contact Brett Goodrich at 207-450-5590 or [email protected].

Remember, if you receive a “Not-Acceptable” score for one or more parameters, you must complete a corrective action report 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].

________________________________________________________________________



Certification and Training Update.

There are a lot of exciting training and conferences coming up this fall! Click Here [ [link removed] ]  to see a calendar of events offered by not-for-profits. Don’t see your training listed? No problem. Click to download a Request for TCH approval form: Microsoft Word - TCH Request Form Rev 10.2024.docx [ [link removed] ].

Here are some highlights:

*FREE Emergency Threat Assessment & Response for Wastewater Utilities - Berwick*

MRWA is presenting an in-person "Emergency Threat Assessment & Response" training classes at the Berwick Sewer District on October 2 from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM.

This class will help prepare facilities for a wide range of emergency situations. Topics include:


* How do you quickly assess the level of threat to your customers and infrastructure?
* What resources do you have to mitigate threats?

To register, go to: Emergency Threat Assessment & Response for Wastewater Utilities - Berwick - Maine Rural Water Association [ [link removed] ].

*EPA to Offer FREE Cybersecurity Table Top Exercise for Maine Water & Wastewater Operators*

Join DEP, EPA and Maine DWP on October 16 from 9 AM – noon for a virtual Table Top exercise (TTX). This 3-hour training is an interactive, scenario-driven discussion, allowing participants to learn cybersecurity best practices and prepare incident response. Maine public water and wastewater system owners, operators, and IT professionals are encouraged to attend. The webinar is FREE and offers 3 water/wastewater TCHs.

Go to: Registration Link [ [link removed] ] to register.

*MWUA to offer Leadership Training *

MWUA is pleased to announce their new training: "The Leadership Edge: People, Purpose & Performance" at Husson University in Bangor on October 7, 21, November 4, 18, and December 2, 6. The course will be held every other Tuesday from 9 AM – 4 PM.

For more information, go to Registration [ [link removed] ] or contact Cindy Wade at [email protected].

*RCAP Presents Disaster Planning and Preparation Workshops at 3 Locations*

Disaster Planning and Preparation provides systems of all sizes with an understanding of the importance of disaster planning and preparation for their water and wastewater systems. Topics  include a description of what a disaster is, how it can affect systems, steps to prepare for potential disasters, and Risk and Resiliency Assessments and Emergency Response Plans.

The course offers 4 Water/Wastewater TCHs. There is no cost to attend. Lunch provided.


* October 6 – Houlton (Houlton Link [ [link removed] ]_)_
* October 7 – Bangor (Bangor Link [ [link removed] ]_)_
* October 8 - Biddeford (Biddeford Link [ [link removed] ]_)_

*Basic Water Chemistry and Hands-on Chlorine Analyzers*

Join MWUA and Tom’s Water Solutions for a hands-on training covering Basic Water Chemistry and Chlorine Analyzers for water and wastewater operators, presented in an easy-to-understand format. Offered on three dates at three locations:


* October 8 – Topsham
* October 15 - Ellsworth
* November 19 – Presque Isle
* November 21 – Farmington

Go to Registration [ [link removed] ] to register.

*Centrifugal Pump Hydraulics & Troubleshooting*

JETCC will present Centrifugal Pump Hydraulics & Troubleshooting, taught by Eric Knudsen, Gorman Rupp Company in Bangor [ [link removed] ], Fairfield [ [link removed] ], and Biddeford [ [link removed] ] on October 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

*Michael Gerardi Hosts Virtual Training  *

Facultative Lagoons: Basic Biology and Chemistry will be taught virtually on October 21, from 12:15 to 3:15 PM. Go to Registration [ [link removed] ] for more information.

*Maine’s Management Candidate School – Beginning November 5 at Portland Water District*

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.

Classes begin November 5 at the Portland Water District. More information and registration is open  at  Maine’s Management Candidate School • NEIWPCC [ [link removed] ].

*JETCC Hosts In-Person Collection System Class in Gardiner*

A star-studded line-up will teach this hands-on class at the EJP facility in Gardiner. To register for "Collection Systems Diagnosis & Maintenance Series: Cleaning and Jetting, "go to Registration [ [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] ].

*Grade 3-5 Exam Prep at 3 Locations*

Back by popular demand, join Patrick Wiley for a 3-day class to help prepare for your Grade 3-5 wastewater exam. Held live in South Portland and remote in Bangor and Presque Isle on December 16-18, 2025.

Go to JETCC’s Training Calendar [ [link removed] ] to register.

*JETCC’s Wastewater Operator School (WOS) begins January 2026*

This six-month, 12-session program is designed to give in-depth training to entry-level operators 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. Instruction is led by industry professionals drawn from agencies and municipalities. All sessions are held in-person, many of them at the Portland Water District. 

Registration will open soon. Click Here [ [link removed] ] for more details.

________________________________________________________________________



For Practice.

1. A new industry is planning to locate in your town. They will be discharging process water to your treatment facility. You have received a sample of process water from another factory owned by the same company, which has the same pollutants in the same quantities as the water you will be receiving at your facility. You mix some of the sample with some of your present influent in a ratio comparable to what you expect to receive when the new factory comes on line. When you run an OUR test on this mixture, you note that the respiration rate decreases. This indicates:

a. The mixture is toxic to the mixed liquor.
b. The sample is over aerated.
c. The MLSS must be decreased to accept this waste.
d. The new waste may require additional aeration to stabilize.

2. Your discharge license requires you to store wastewater in your lagoon for 120 days in the winter. If you have an average influent flow of 183,500 gallons/day and a total pond area of 18 acres (784,000 sq.ft.), how much freeboard do you need in your 5-foot deep lagoon?

a. 1.68 ft.
b. 2.16 ft.
c. 3.38ft.
d. 3.75 ft.

3. The term “return sludge” usually refers to sludge from:

a. Primary Clarifiers
b. Secondary Clarifiers
c. Aerobic Digesters
d. Anaerobic Digesters

4. Which of the following is most resistant to disinfection?

a. Fecal Coliform
b. Salmonella
c. Protozoa
d. S. natans

5. Your unseeded dilution water samples in a BOD test show an oxygen depletion of more than 0.2 mg/L in five days. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

a. The initial D.O. was less than 9.0 mg/L
b. The buffers are contaminated.
c. Not enough seed is being used.
d. Toxic substances are present.

*Answers*

1. a. Decreased oxygen uptake indicates that the bugs are not digesting the new waste very well. In some cases, the bugs will acclimate and digest the waste. In other cases, the waste will ultimately kill all the bugs and the OUR will go to zero.

2. d. 183,500 gpd / 7.5 = 24,467 cu. ft./day. In 120 days, you need 2,936,000 cu.ft. of storage. 2,936,000 cu.ft. / 784,000 sq. ft. = 3.75 feet of freeboard needed.

3. b. Return sludge is the sludge recycled from the secondary clarifiers back to the aeration tanks to maintain an ‘activated’ sludge.

4. a. Fecal Coliform is used as an indicator organism because they tolerate chlorination better than pathogenic bacteria. While most fecal coliforms are not directly harmful, their presence indicates contamination by human or animal waste, and are a sign that other dangerous organisms may be in the water.

5. b. A depletion of greater than 0.2 mg/l in the blanks usually means that the buffers are contaminated with some organic material or the glassware is dirty.

________________________________________________________________________




________________________________________________________________________

MEDEP Logo [ [link removed] ] 

*Maine Department of Environmental Protection
*Manage Subscriber Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ] | Contact Us
[ [link removed] ]STAY CONNECTED:
  Twitter Logo [ [link removed] ] GovDelivery Envelope [ [link removed] ] Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]
[ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Environmental Protection · 17 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333 · 207-287-7688 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]