October 2022
1. What is the typical removal efficiency of settleable solids in a primary clarifier?
A. 10 to 15%
B. 20 to 50%
C. 40 to 60%
D. 95 to 99%
2. Which of the following is associated with thick billows of white sudsy foam in the aeration tank?
A. Old sludge
B. Low F/M ratio
C. High F/M ratio
D. High MLSS concentration
3. What impact does the injection of chlorine gas have on the pH of wastewater?
A. Increase pH
B. Decreases pH
C. Does not affect pH
D. Fluctuates the pH
4. Which gas is the most abundant in a properly operating anaerobic digester?
A. Hydrogen sulfide
B. Nitrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Methane
5. Activate Sludge Treatment is a ________ process?
A. Anaerobic
B. Aerobic
C. Facultative
D. Modified Fixed Film
E. Extended Aeration
6. An operator’s flow meter at the plant indicates there was 2.6 MGD flow through the plant. What is the GPM?
A. 1805
B. 18,055
C. 1083
D. 10,833
E. None of the above
7. Each person contributes approximately ______ lbs of BOD to the system
daily.
A. 0.17
B. 0.71
C. 1.7
D. 17
E. 17.4
8. Calculate the volume in gallons of a rectangular aeration tank that is 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 20 feet deep.
A. 26,928
B. 269,280
C. 36,000
D. 360,000
E. 4,812
LD 1911, signed on April 22, 2022, allows Maine DEP to require sampling of wastewater effluent from licensed surface and spray irrigation dischargers for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds.
The Division of Water Quality Management (DWQM) is conducting a PFAS sampling project to establish a baseline of PFAS levels in wastewater effluents. Beginning October 2022, public and private facilities participating in the study will be required to sample their effluents monthly for ten months (or on an alternative schedule for non-continuous dischargers) and report the results to DEP.
Facilities that are in the study were notified by Gregg Wood, DWQM Director by letter on September 15, 2022. A copy of the letter, as well as pertinent documents related to the 1911 sampling project can be found at the DEP Wastewater Treatment website, https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wwtreatment/index.html. More information about PFAS in Maine can be found at https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/topics/pfas/.
For public facilities, the cost of courier transportation, sample analyses, and reporting will be covered under a federal EPA grant. Private facilities will be responsible for costs associated with their own sampling, shipping, and analysis. All facilities must follow Chain of Custody (CoC), Quality Assurance (QA), and data reporting requirements established by DEP. Example CoC’s are found on the DEP website.
Because PFAS compounds are found in many personal and consumer products, and PFAS is measured at extremely low concentrations, personnel collecting samples must be properly trained and take precautions to avoid contamination of the samples during collection. DEP has developed guidance material, available on the DEP website, to assist operators in proper sampling techniques. Please refer to the PFAS Sampling Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for more information.
All analysis must be performed by a Maine-prequalified laboratory using a Maine-approved analytical method, which is currently 537.1 Modified. DEP will be using Alpha Analytical of Westborough, MA and Brewer, ME to analyze and report PFAS results from public facilities. Private facilities may choose any lab listed on the Maine DEP Prequalified PFAS Laboratories list that is approved for testing wastewater samples, which can be found on the DEP website.
Public spray irrigation facilities will collect an effluent sample prior to spraying in the same manner as surface water dischargers. Groundwater samples from public facilities will be collected by DEP personnel on a quarterly basis, as applicable. Private spray facilities will be responsible for collecting both effluent and groundwater samples. Spray irrigation facilities with intermittent discharges should contact their DEP inspector to determine the sampling schedule.
Results will be used by the Department to establish a baseline of PFAS levels in wastewater treatment plant effluents throughout the state that may be used for future regulation of PFAS chemicals.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Crowley, 207-287-8898, [email protected], Brett Goodrich at 207-287-9034, [email protected], or Judy Bruenjes, 207-287-7806, [email protected].
Virtual Asset Management for Maine Small Systems
A FREE webinar, Asset Management for Maine Small Systems will be presented on November 9th and 10th from 1:00-3:00 PM by John D. Colclazier, Program Manager of the Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University. According to John:
In our asset management workshops, you will learn about how asset management can benefit your system. You may have problems related to unknown meter, valve, or hydrant locations. You may not be sure of which asset(s) to replace given limited funds. Asset Management can help you solve these problems, and more. You will learn to:
• Develop an inventory of utility components
• Identify critical assets for sustained operations
• Make decisions about how to operate, maintain, repair, and replace those assets
• Set goals for level of service at a sustainable cost
If you have any questions - please reach out to John Colclazier: [email protected]
MRWA 42 Annual Conference and Trade Show
MRWA is thrilled to return to the Samoset Resort for their 42nd Annual Conference on December 6-8, 2022 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME. The space is big enough to accommodate the tradeshow and expansive selection of live classes and offers many amenities and expansive ocean views!
MRWA highly recommends booking your room sooner rather than later once the room blocks become available. The accommodations located at the Samoset will go fast!
For more information go to www.mainerwa.org.
NEWEA 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibit
NEWEA is excited to connect in person with our water industry colleagues at the 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibit, taking place at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA, January 22-25, 2023. The NEWEA Annual Conference is a great forum to meet colleagues, professional allies, make new friends and exchange information.
This prestigious conference, which consistently attracts over 2300 engineers, consultants, scientists, operators and students features a variety of technical sessions and over 200 exhibitor displays. The conference provides an opportunity for professional exchange of information and state-of-the-art concepts in wastewater treatment and other water environment issues.
For more information, go to the NEWEA website, https://annualconference.newea.org.
The North Country Convention (NCC) Returns to Presque Isle!
Mark your calendars for the North Country Convention (NCC)’s return to Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) in Presque Isle on April 5 & 6, 2023.
This 2-day educational event and trade show held in "The County" is co-sponsored by NEIWPCC-JETCC, MEWEA, and MWUA. NCC is designed to bring water and wastewater professional together for technical sessions, exhibitor interaction, luncheon speakers, and opportunities to network with others. Each day offers 6 training contact hours for Water and Wastewater operators. Participation in the entire conference offers 12 hours of training.
For more information, go to www.jetcc.org.
A Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) is an unauthorized discharge of wastewater from a municipal or district collection system to any location other than the publicly owned treatment works to which the wastewater is conveyed. SSOs sporadically occur from wastewater systems due to mechanical problems, blockages, or periods of high precipitation or runoff. These discharges can be caused by a variety of factors and can occur at any point in the system to land, water, public or private facilities. Examples include pump station or manhole overflows, sewer line breaks, back-ups into privately owned basements, and dry weather discharges from combined sewer overflow points. All SSOs MUST be reported regardless of whether the discharge reaches the ground or a surface water. Discharges caused by blockages or breaks in private systems or laterals are not required to be reported by the municipality if the cause is not related to the municipal system. However a reportable SSO can also include back-ups into residential and business premises when the underlying cause is a malfunction in the municipal or district managed collection system. In general, it is better to report and not have to than cause additional violations by failing to report. When in doubt, consult your DEP Compliance Inspector during the initial call. Written Discharge Incident Reports (DIR) should include the cause of the incident; the nature and volume of the discharge; the receiving water, land area or facility; site observations; the impacts to human health and the environment; facility response and corrective actions. The DIR form is available from your inspector.
SSOs from licensed facilities, including satellite systems, are a violation of Maine State Law 38 M.R.S. § 413 and 38 M.R.S. § 414(5), the “Authorized Discharges” Special Condition in your permit, and Standard Condition Section B(1)(a-b). The reporting requirements are detailed in Standard Condition D(1)(f).
Discharges from privately owned collection systems and pumping stations can be just as serious a threat to surface waters or public health as any SSO owned by a municipality or district. It is in the best interest of the City/Town or District to notify the Department if they become aware of a SSO from a private source that is not immediately addressed. Local sewer use ordinances or public health laws may be the most direct and efficient method to effect compliance, and if the discharge reaches surface waters the Department can also respond.
Occasionally discharges from private systems to the public system can cause issues, typically due to grease, rags or wipes. Even though the SSO occurred from the public system, the private entity may bear most of the responsibility. In this case, well written sewer use ordinances can ensure that the City/Town/District can ensure the private entity takes steps to prevent the problematic discharges in the future.
Please ensure that all staff understand the reporting requirements associated with SSOs. In response to recent incidences, the DEP will be sending this information out to operators via e-mail as well.
For more information, https://www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssos
In collaboration with local water and wastewater utility districts, Mainehousing, a private entity created by the Maine legislature in 1969, is launching the Maine Water Assistance Program to help households that may be facing a water disconnection or sewer lien because of an unpaid bill or past due balance.
The program is funded with $4.7 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. It will help low- and moderate-income homeowners or renters who are facing a disconnection notice, who have had their water turned off, or who are struggling to pay their water bill.
Eligibility is determined by income levels and is available for homeowners and renters who pay their own utility bills. Applicants must supply required documentation to MaineHousing, Energy & Housing Services, 26 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.
The program has been a collaborative effort among a group of partners, including the Maine Rural Water Association, the Maine Water Utilities Association, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Portland Water District, the Greater Augusta Utility District, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Homeowners or others responsible for a household's water and/or wastewater bill can apply for help by visiting the MaineHousing's program page, https://mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energydetails/mwap.
To apply for the program an applicant must have a current copy of their water or wastewater utility bill and the bill must be in the name of the applicant. Income-eligible households may also qualify for a one-time water benefit of up to $500 that will be credited towards a current or future bill.
The applicant's water or wastewater utility provider must also agree to participate in MaineHousing's Maine Water Assistance Program, which will make payments directly to water and/or wastewater utilities on the behalf of their customers.
Apprenticeships have been proven to produce strong results for both businesses and trainees, and they’re growing throughout the business community. Even with the pandemic’s effect on the economy, participation in registered apprenticeship programs is at an all-time high.
The Department of Labor shows that 90 percent of apprentices retain employment after their apprenticeship has completed. The apprentice also benefits, earning $300,000 more over their lifetime compared to peers who were not in an apprenticeship.
There are currently two sponsors of Water/Wastewater Apprenticeship programs in Maine. MRWA’s Apprenticeship Program is a nationally recognized program for candidates with limited or no experience. It is divided into four different tracks, Water, Wastewater, Joint Water and Wastewater, and Administrative/Bookkeeping. Each apprentice is assigned a mentor during their time in the program. MRWA’s staff will work with facilities to help select mentors, provide coaching, and create a nationally recognized schedule of work. MRWA will also provide the apprentice with technical training, including certification prep for professional licensure. Go to www.mainerwa.org for more information.
The Maine Community College System (MCCS) has been working with the Maine Apprenticeship Program (MAP) to establish work models customized to the specific needs of employers. Richard Sterrs, Apprenticeship Program Navigator for MCCS said, “Maine’s community colleges have always been a strong and trusted training provider for many industries in the state. Under the apprenticeship model, we can tailor curriculum and develop a workforce plan that meets the goals of any employer, based on their industry and their specific needs.”
A registered apprenticeship requires full-time employment and 144 hours of classroom training. Sterrs has worked to develop customized apprenticeships in trades, hospitality, healthcare, and the arts. The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, the short-term training arm of MCCS, also has grant funding available to subsidize training costs for employers and trainees. “If companies join the Maine Workforce Development Compact this year, they receive financial support of up to $1,200 per employee,” said Sterrs. He noted that there are also scholarships available that can help reduce the cost of classroom training if done through one of Maine’s seven community colleges.
To learn more about the benefits of partnering with MCCS for an apprenticeship, contact Richard Sterrs at [email protected].
1. D.
2. C.
3. B.
4. D.
5. B.
6. A.
7. A.
8. B.
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