Protecting Public Health and the Environment.

Drinking Water Newsletters for Public Water Systems in Idaho

April 2011 (#60)
Urges all community and non-community non-transient drinking water systems to renew their monitoring waivers for the 2011-2014 standard monitoring period
Announces DEQ’s new electronic “laboratory autoform,” which automatically generates water system request forms for lab analyses
Publicizes the AWWA-Pacific Northwest Section’s Conference in Boise, May 4-6, as well as DEQ’s Idaho Water Reuse Conference in Boise, May 24-25
Reminds system operators that DEQ’s operator reimbursement funds for training are available until September 30, 2011
February 2011 (#59)
Announces that the Idaho Drinking Water Newsletter is going electronic and that this issue is the last one to be mailed
Advises recipients to sign up now to be notified by email when each issue becomes available on the Internet
Gives an update of the current status of operator training in Idaho
Contains a special "Operator Training Insert"
Notifies systems that Source Water Protection Grants are now available.

2010 Newsletters

November 2010 (#58)
Discusses the importance of using certified ANSI/NSF Standards 60 and 61 lubricants for pumps and system components (ANSI - American National Standards Institute/NSF- National Sanitation Foundation)
Announces a free, one-day Incident Command System training in Boise, December 8 (.65 CEUs)
Reminds systems that 2010 is the last year in the 3 and 9 year monitoring periods
Explains that after the next quarterly newsletter DEQ is switching to an electronic newsletter – sign up now
August 2010 (#57)
Reminds operators that monitoring for Lead/Copper and Disinfection Byproducts must be completed by September 30
Reports that DEQ is initiating telephone/email monitoring reminders to systems when records show that DEQ has not received lab results
Announces the May 2011 AWWA Pacific Northwest Section Conference will be held in Boise
Provides informtion on DEQ's Source Water Protection workshops during the month of September
April 2010 (#56)
Contains “Special Monitoring Insert” urging water systems to check their monitoring schedules before sampling to prevent mistakes and to monitor early
Advises operators to fill out drinking water lab request forms correctly to prevent system violations
Reviews the requirements for lead public education and lead public notifications
Reminds community water systems serving less than 10,000 that the Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) report is due July 1, 2010
Announces that DEQ awarded over $160,000 in grants for source water protection
February 2010 (#55)
Explains DEQ’s drinking water operator training reimbursement program, which provides financial assistance for attending drinking water related courses, travel expenses, and examination fees
Reminds public water systems that 2010 is the last year for the 3-year and 9-year monitoring periods and urges systems to complete their monitoring requirements on time
Announces that applications for available Source Water Protection grants are due March 19, 2010

2009 Newsletters

December 2009 (#54)
Urges public water system owners to sample early in order to give the labs time to conduct the analyses before the end of a monitoring period, which will prevent a system from having to issue a “Failed to Monitor” public notice
Announces current grants and loans available for water systems
Provides information on free training for drinking water operators offered by the American Water Works Association in Boise in January 2010
September 2009 (#53)
Discusses a recent cross-connection incident in southwestern Idaho that sickened five residents and urges public water systems to be aware of the dangers of cross-connection and backflows
Announces Idaho’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which provides federal funding to local businesses and nonprofit organizations to reduce energy use
Notifies systems that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has pandemic influenza planning guidelines available for water and wastewater utilities
July 2009 (#52)
Includes Part 3, the final article in a series on the requirements of the new Ground Water Rule, which outlines the 4-log virus treatment procedures
Discusses the problems that iron bacteria can pose for systems with drinking water wells
Announces DEQ's new online Public Water System Switchboard, which provides systems with easy access to drinking water information
April 2009 (#51)
Outlines new public education requirements to the 2007 Short-Term Revisions to the Lead Copper Rule which become effective this year
Announces an online, no-charge “Financial Dashboard” from Boise State University’s Environmental Finance Center, which allows water system owners and operators a quick way to determine their present and future financial needs
Reminds community public water systems that they are required to implement and enforce a cross-connection control program

For previous issues, contact DEQ's Drinking Water Program at (208) 373-0409.


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Staff Contact

Drinking Water Field Services Lead
Don Lee
DEQ State Office
Water Quality Division
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 373-0289
don.lee@deq.idaho.gov