| Alaska Training/Technical Assistance Center |
| ATTAC E-News | April 2007 |
Jan - March ActivitiesDuring this period, ATTAC instructed two Intro to Small Water Systems Workshops, three Performance Based Training sessions, a Drinking Water Microbiology Lab, and hosted the AWWA teleconference on Pipeline Repair. ATTAC is coordinating efforts to revise the Introduction to Small Water Systems manual. The manual currently serves as the official text for initial training of Level I operators. The manual has been critical in the effort to build operational capacity among Alaska’s small, rural, public water systems. However, the manual has become more outdated with each passing year. The Alaska Training Coalition realized that the manual was no longer adequate. ATTAC agreed to lead the revision project and prepared proposals to funding. Proposals were submitted to the USDA and EPA Anchorage offices. Our requests were granted and ATTAC has formed an editorial committee and is working with authors for individual chapters. Anyone interested in the project, is asked to contact Nicole with ATTAC. Tim Anderson, ATTAC director, attended the annual EPA TAC director’s meeting in Washington DC. Various TACs presented their accomplishments from the previous year and proposed work for the coming year. EPA needs were discussed as possible future work plan components. Funding was also discussed. Since 1997, ATTAC and the eight other regional training centers (TACs) around the country have been funded by direct congressional action at the end of each year referred to as "congressional add-on" or "earmarks." This year, the new congressional leadership decided to place a moratorium on all earmarks until a process can be developed to provide transparency and accountability in the appropriation of federal funding. It is likely that many earmarks will be eliminated. There is a possibility that ATTAC may not be funded after September of 2007. If you would like more information on this or find out what you could do to help, please contact ATTAC. ABPA Backflow CourseATTAC and UAS Sitka have developed a Backflow Assembly Tester Course. This course will certify individuals for the four backflow devices that are common in our industry. The certification agency is the American Backflow Prevention Association using the USC Hydraulics Laboratory standards. We plan on offering this course annually. The next training is scheduled May 21-25 in Sitka. EPA Rule WizardThe EPA has developed an online tool that enables you to determine the federal monitoring requirements for public drinking water systems as they relate to your system’s size, water source, and treatment. It provides a comprehensive list of all of the federal monitoring requirements for a general category of systems. For example, you can use it to review the federal monitoring requirements for a community water system serving 3,300 people using ground water as a source of supply. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) citations and CFR text are included, which present only the federal monitoring requirements. Because additional state requirements may apply, the list of requirements does not take the place of any state issued monitoring plan. Visit the rule wizard web site. Upcoming Events
Training ToolsThe Basic Sanitary Chemistry CD is designed for students and operators with no previous chemistry background. The lessons include detailed objectives, instructional text and visuals, interactive instructional screens and self-checks, and unit quizzes. Visit the ATTAC web site to download the program. The Small Water System CD is based on the Intro to Small Water Systems Manual. This CD has interactive activities, quizzes and information individuals can use to help prepare for the State of Alaska Level 1 water certification exams. The information is also useful for operators wanting a review. Download the program to your computer from our web site. 
Lending Library
ATTAC maintains a lending library of books and videos in a variety of water and wastewater subjects (certification study guides too!). If you live in Alaska and are interested in receiving a book or video please check them out using our online form found on the web page. Items may be borrowed for 45 days. Emergency Response PlansAn emergency response plan (ERP) is a document that provides response, recovery, and remediation guidance for actions in response to man-made, technological, and/or natural disaster emergencies. The ERP should be developed to assist water utility operators and owners to know what they need to do and who to contact during an emergency. You may already have an ERP and only need to revise it considering other possible threats that may not have been included in the plan before, as well as update contact information if necessary. There are several guides that are available to assist you in the process. You should also contact local emergency response agencies to verify contact information and possibly arrange a practice drill. There are many resources available to assist you in developing your ERP. Please visit the ADEC Drinking Water Security web site for links to these resources. |
Regulations...New Manuals to Help Small Systems Comply With DW Regs: LT2ESWTR and Stage 2 DBPR Fact Sheets for LT2 Rule: Fact Sheets for Stage 2 DBP Rule: Of Interest...Check out the EPA Q & A Database for Answers on Arsenic to Water Utility Compliance Issues EPA Best Practices Guides EPA's Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water System Operators Small Systems Information and Guidance |
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