Wise Water Words - Volume 51, Issue 1 (Spring 2014)
Regulatory Reminders
By Doug Woodbeck [Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services]Currently the Department of Health and Human Services is preparing for development of regulation revisions. One revision will integrate the components of the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) into regulation (incorporating parts of nine separate Title 179 chapters). Three existing chapters are also under consideration for revision: Those are 179 NAC 21 and 22 (Water System Operation and Maintenance), and 179 NAC 15 (Capacity Development).
Whenever regulations are proposed for or require revision, the Department must go through the "stakeholder" process. This means that the input from regulated entities must be sought and considered before any regulation may be moved forward for official adoption. During this process, if meaningful comments are made, the proposed regulations can be modified to better serve the regulated entities while still complying with the federal regulatory requirements.
The Department has set up a video-streaming Internet event to gather stakeholder input for these four rules. Video-streaming allows those logging into the event to see the State staff making the presentation, to see PowerPoint slides depicting the proposed regulatory changes, and to submit questions and comments via e-mail to a predetermined e-mail address. This mode of business also allows those that would not normally be able to travel to an event such as this to participate without having to leave their community, assuming they have Internet access (yet another reason to acquire Internet capability for your public water system). The video-streaming event is scheduled for June 3, 2014 and will begin at 10:00 AM CDT and run until 2:00 PM (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT). Logon information is:
- Desktop and mobile devices: http://channel.vbrick.com/NET/MultiDeviceIndex.aspx
- Desktop only: http://channel.vbrick.com/NET/Index.aspx
From 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, we will be presenting information (start-up and shut-down plan requirements) from the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) which only pertains to seasonal water systems. A seasonal public water system is that which operates for less than 12 months per year and the system (wells, distribution, storage, or any part thereof) is depressurized/dewatered for an extended period of time (in excess of 30 calendar days) and brought back into service at the beginning of the operating season. This definition (seasonal) does not include partial system shut-downs due to scheduled or emergency maintenance or other similar functions, but only those that, as part of their normal operation, shut down for a period of time then re-open at a later date. An example would be a recreational camping area that is only open from April 1 through September 30 of every year, where during the closed months the system (or part of the system) is shut down and drained or depressurized. I hope this is clear, but if not, please contact the Department for further clarification (DHHS 402-471-2541).
From 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM, we will be discussing and accepting comment on Chapters 15, 21, 22 and the remainder of the RTCR, which will affect all public water systems. I look forward to having many viewers and receiving thoughtful comments and suggestions regarding these proposed regulatory revisions.
As the chapters become available, working copies, showing strikethrough and underline (new) will be posted on the Department's webpage. To view the proposed regulations as they become available, you may go to http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/enh_pwsindex.aspx.
