Archive | Legislative

Due to the 2016 drought, the MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs intends to update the State’s Drought Management Plan (May, 2013 See Drought Plan FINAL 05-16-2013 pdf ). Please review the current plan to see if there are specific changes you would like to request.  Some revision requests that water suppliers may want to make […]

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Massachusetts Senate Bill SB2124 – Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – An Act relative to performance of work on hydrants and certain components of fire protection sprinkler systems.  On 12/27/16 – this bill was laid before the Governor .  He has 10 days to sign or veto.    If he doesn’t it will […]

from PaintSquare.com: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published its long-awaited final rule regarding slip, trip and fall hazards for general industry. The rule—which updates OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces standard and adds requirements for personal fall protection systems—is aimed at increasing consistency between general and construction industries, helping to clarify issues […]

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On November 17, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a final list of contaminants that are currently not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulation. This list is the Fourth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 4) published by EPA since the SDWA amendments of 1996.  The […]

S. 2848, the Water Resources Development Act, would authorize $70 million under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program, and $100 million under the State Revolving Fund program for systems with drinking water emergencies. Similarly, H.R. 5303: Water Resources Development Act of 2016 passed the House on September 28, 2016. S. 2848’s […]

EPA guidance addresses LCR implementation October 13, 2016 From AWWA: New guidance from the US Environmental Protection Agency updates EPA regions and state primacy agencies on certain implementation aspects of the Lead & Copper Rule. Entitled Implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule Provisions Related to Sample Site Selection and Triennial Monitoring, the memorandum asks agencies to require […]

Name & Citation of Regulation(s):  310 CMR 42.00 – Certification and Operation of Environmental Analysis Laboratories Brief Explanation and Rationale for Changes: The regulations at 310 CMR 42.00 establish procedures by which MassDEP certifies laboratories that demonstrate the ability to consistently produce valid data.  The regulations establish minimum criteria for personnel, facilities, equipment, proficiency tests, […]