FW: MassGIS Data Update: DFW Coldwater Fisheries Resources Water suppliers renewing their Water Management Act permits or seeking new permits in subbasins face additional metrics when Coldwater Fisheries are mapped within the subbasin. MassGIS has updated the mapped areas based upon recent data: From: Trust, Michael (MassIT) Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 11:17 AM Subject: MassGIS … Read more
FROM USEPA, JANUARY, 2017: To aid drinking water utilities in preparing for sampling and field testing that could occur during water contamination incidents, EPA released, “Guidance for Building Field Capabilities to Respond to Drinking Water Contamination.” The guidance outlines basic and advanced field response activities and also provides information pertaining to staffing, quality assurance, and … Read more
FROM THE EPA, JANUARY, 2017: EPA has updated its Human Health Benchmarks for Pesticides in drinking water to reflect the latest scientific information. The benchmarks are levels of certain pesticides in drinking water or source waters for drinking water at or below which adverse health effects are not anticipated from one-day or lifetime exposures. First … Read more
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 … Read more
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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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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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 … Read more
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 … Read more