Handouts and presentations are available online at www.iowaleague.org.
Running Water
Schedule
Maintaining a Viable Drinking Water System 1:30pm-2:15pm
Presented by Steve Marsh, Water Services Specialist, IAMU
Asset Management for Wells, Towers and Meters 2:15pm-2:45pm
Ron Rappard, Regional Water Systems Specialist, Utility Service Group
Break 2:45pm to 3:00pm
Wastewater: Best Practices and Emerging Issues 3:00pm-3:45pm
Jonathan Brown, Water & Resource Recovery Center Manager, City of
Dubuque
Effective Stormwater Quality Practices 3:45pm-4:30pm
Matt Ferrier, Project Manager, Bolton & Menk, Inc., Joshua Shields, Landscape
Architect, Bolton & Menk, Inc. and Tracy Warner, Municipal Engineer, City of
Ames
History of Drinking Water and
Regulations
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Philadelphia - 1730
• 1st American City with a water system
• William Penn, wanted to get water to all the
citizens
• 30,000 people lived within 7 blocks of each
other
• 1st year, 1/6th of the population died of yellow
fever
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Interstate Quarantine Act of
1893
• Enacted as a response to outbreaks of
waterborne diseases during Industrial
Revolution
• Typhoid and Cholera outbreaks, people
moved to the cities to work in factories
• Administered by the US Public Health Service
• Allowed government to control the
transmission of communicable diseases
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1912
• The 1st drinking water-related regulation was
adopted
• Prohibited the use of a common drinking
water cup on interstate carriers, trains and
ships
• Later included air carriers
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Public Health Service Drinking
Water Standards- 1914
• Established an upper limit for allowable
concentrations of bacteria in drinking water
• Revised & Expanded in 1925, 1946
• 1962 Standards regulated 28 substances
• Standards only applied to water systems that
provided drinking water to interstate carriers
• Late 1960’s realized that man-made chemicals
also had a negative impact on environment
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
US Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA) 1970
• Established by President Nixon
• Created in response to increased public
awareness and concern about pollution
• Enforce environmental policies
• 10 Regional Offices
• Region 7- Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
1974
• National Drinking Water Law
• Created following reports of contaminants
found in New Orleans drinking water
• Regulates all water systems with at least 15
service connections or regularly serves at
least 25 people
• States could decide to regulate even smaller
systems
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
SDWA Amendments of 1986
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Increased monitoring for organic chemicals
More stringent coliform monitoring
More requirements for surface water systems
Lead and Copper rules
Public Notification
Wellhead Protection
1990’s National League of Cities led the
“Unfunded Mandates Revolt” more federal
financial assistance
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
SDWA Amendments of 1996
•
•
•
•
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Additional Funding (SRF)
Funding for Source Water Assessments
Guidelines for Certified Operators
Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)
Water system capacity development program
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
National Primary and Secondary
Drinking Water Regulations
•
•
•
•
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 40, Parts 136-149
More than 100 substances regulated
Some consumers are more sensitive to
contaminants than others
• Cancer patients and others with suppressed
immune systems more sensitive than healthy
people
• Infants, children and the elderly more be more
sensitive
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Board/Council Members
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• What does O&M stand for?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• “Ongoing Misery”
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
What I See at Council Meetings
•
•
•
•
Customer Complaints
Long meetings where nothing gets decided
Personality conflicts
We don’t have enough money
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Different groups want different
things from your water system
•
•
•
•
Customers
State Regulators
Debt Holders
Employees
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Customers
•
•
•
•
Low Water Bills
Dependable Service
Good tasting water
Safe drinking water
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
State Regulators
• Compliance with regulations
• Properly designed systems
• Certified Operators
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Debt Holders
• Repayment of loans on time
• Financially sound operation
• Good system maintenance to protect their
investment
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Employees
• Fair wages
• Good working conditions
• Job security
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Decision Making
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
It’s a “thankless” job
Decisions will affect customers today as well as the future
Community has put it’s Trust in you to make good decisions
Base decisions on the system as a whole and what is the
best interest of the community
Work together as a team
Put aside personal differences
Educate yourselves on the workings of the water system.
Take time to speak with operators, clerks, customers.
Make sure employees are apart of the decisions, they are
often left out.
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Good Board/Council Member is:
• Dependable
• Doesn’t have pre-conceived notions about the
system
• Open-minded
• Accepts change
• Has a sincere desire to serve the community
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Current Condition
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Water
•
•
•
•
•
Essential for life
Sanitation
Fire Protection
Disease control
Economic Development
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Infrastructure
• Over 300 million people in the US, use 100-200
gal./person/day
• 2 million miles of pipe in the US
• Grandparents put in and paid for these systems for the
first time, much hadn’t been touched since
• We are at a critical turning point with most of our
infrastructure
• We take it for granted, most people have no clue what
it takes to get water to the faucet
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Primary Sources for Water
• Ground water- mostly smaller systems
• Surface water- mostly larger systems
• 93% of the states public water suppliers or systems
serve less than 3300 people
• 2.89 million of the 3.05 million people (90.7%) served
by a community water system, 9.3% by private wells
• Most sources in Iowa are adequate, but signs of
challenges ahead.
• Jordan Aquifer is showing signs of overuse(North
Central & Eastern Iowa)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2015 Report Card for Iowa’s Infrastructure- C+
Estimated $5.9 Billion for Iowa over next 20 years
Acceptable life of cast or ductile iron pipe is 80 years
Des Moines – 40% of mains over 65 yrs. Old
Ottumwa – 70%
Marshalltown – 56%
Water Main breaks are increasing
Since 2000, $590 million SRF money to 463 drinking
water projects
• Water is still a bargain- 0.5% of median household
income in Iowa
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Viability
• Definitions of Viable:
• French word “Vie” for life
• Capable of living, having the ability to grow,
expand, develop, capable of becoming actual
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Synonyms
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practical
Feasible
Usable
Adaptable
Something that is good, positive, reliable
Buzz words: Sustainable, Preservation, TMF
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
TMF
• T- Technical Capacity
• M- Managerial Capacity
• F- Financial Capacity
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• Technical – water system has the necessary
technical infrastructure & competent trained
staff to comply with regulations.
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• Managerial – water system has the
institutional and administrative resources
needed to comply with regulations
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• Financial – water system has the financial
resources needed to comply with drinking
water requirements for both short and long
term
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Financial Viability
A concept that the water system can generate
enough revenue to cover current operating
costs and future needs.
Operating at a surplus accomplishes this!
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
3 Key Issues
Revenue Sufficiency
Does the water system revenue’s cover the true
costs of producing safe drinking water?
• Personnel
• Equipment
• Chemicals
• Infrastructure
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
3 Key Issues
Credit Worthiness
Is the water system deemed financially
healthy enough to gain access to capital through
public and/or private sources?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
3 Key Issues
Fiscal Management Controls
Does the water system have effective processes for
record keeping, financial planning, and management
of revenues?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Operating at a Surplus
• Can you predict the future?
• What do you do when a system emergency inhibits
you from providing safe drinking water?
• Operating at a surplus - revenue generated by the
system that cover unexpected expenses incurred
during the fiscal year
– "Rainy day" fund
• Budgeting only covers items that are currently in
need of repair or replacement
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Budget Practices
A budget is.....
A management tool used to plan, administer, and
provide past data about a water system’s fiscal
operations over a period of time.
Budget can provide the following information..
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–
–
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How revenues will be spent
How priorities will be established
Measurement of quality and quantity of work performed
Ensures resources will cover expenses and needs
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Capital Improvement Planning
• Planning and financial management tool
• Identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling
planned improvements over a period of time
(usually 5-6 years).
• Future repairs, improvements, equipment
replacement, an/or system expansion
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Paying for
Rehabilitation/Replacement
• Determine money to set aside yearly in a
Reserve account
– Standard O&M costs will be covered in yearly
budget
• Set up Reserve Fund
• Incorporate the reserve allocation in the
budget
• Pay your system!
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Benefits of a CIP
• Useful when council or board members terms
expire because previous efforts to upgrade
the water system are spelled out
• Keeps water systems operating effectively
• Prioritizes needed improvements or upgrades
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Reviewing Current Water Rates
• How to determine if it is time to review the water
rates?
– Did the revenues exceed expenses in each of the last three
years?
– Was the water system able to make payments on longterm debt?
– Is the system in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water
Act (SDWA)
– Could the water system cover the costs of emergency and
preventive maintenance?
– Has the water system raised rates in the last three years?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Did you answer no to any of these questions?
If you answered no, it's time to examine your rate
structure
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Reviewing and Setting Water
Rates
• Setting rates that are fair and equitable should
be the goal of all water systems
• Rate increases are inevitable
– Small annual increases get less resistance than
one major increase every 5 years
• Annual reviews will tell a water system if
water rates are meeting expected expenses
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Rate Setting
 Prior Year's worth of Expenses
All and Only Water systems
expenses
Fixed and Variable
 Budgeted Next Fiscal Year Expenses
 Prior Year Gallons Sold
 Prior Year Master Meter Gallons
 Billing Cycles
Ex. 12 for systems billing monthly
 Minimum Gallons
 Number of Metered Customers
 Current Rates for Comparison
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Base Rate Determination
Base Rate = Fixed Cost/Metered Customers/Billing Cycles
Fixed Costs
Water Tower Maintenance Agreement
=
Loan Repayment
=
Amount
$
129,614.00
Fixed Cost
Reserve
Total
=
$
25,000.00
=
$
154,614.00
Variable Costs
$
154,614.00
Metered Customers
780
Billing Cycles
12
Base Rate $
Personnel Costs
=
87,112
Utilities
=
47,847
Small Equipment, Materials, and Parts
=
8,593
Chemicals, Treatment, and Monitoring
=
42,574
Transportation
=
2,758
Customer Billing and Collection
=
6,533
Insurance
=
3,183
16.52
per billing cycle
Rate per 1,000 gallons
Rate = Variable Costs / (annual metered water / 1,000 gallons)
Amount
Variable Cost
Total
=
$
Total Expenses
=
$ 353,214.00
$
Annual gallons sold
198,600.00
45250000
Rate
4.388950276 per 1,000 gallons
Proposed Rate Structure
198,600.00
Amount
Base Rate
$
Rate per 1,000 gallons
Minimum (first 1,000 gallons)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
16.52
4.388950276
$
20.91
Types of Rate Structures
UNIFORM FLAT RATE
Customers pay the same amount regardless of quantity of water
used. Used in un-metered systems.
Example:
Each customer will be charged a flat rate of $x.xx per month.
Advantages
– Eliminate cost of installing and reading meters
Disadvantages
– Customers pay to much or too little
– Promotes high consumption
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Types of Rate Structures
SINGLE BLOCK RATE
Customers are charged a constant price per gallon regardless of
the amount of water used
Example:
•
$x.xx minimum service availability charge plus
•
$x.xx per 1,000 gallons used
Advantages
• Easy to administer
• Encourages water conservation
• Cost is based on customer usage
Disadvantages
• Could discourage high water consuming industries
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Types of Rate Structures
INCREASING BLOCK RATE
The price of water increases as the amount used increase. Each succeeding
consumption block is more expensive. Structure based on the assumption that
water rates should promote water conservation.
Example:
$14 minimum for the first 2,000 gallons used
$2.00 per 1,000 from 2,001 – 6,000 gallons
$2.50 per 1,000 from 6,001 – 10,000 gallons
$3.00 per 1,000 for everything over 10,000 gallons
Advantages
• Promotes water conservation
• Less water usage = less wastewater treatment
Disadvantages
• Higher costs for high usage users may discourage industries
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Types of Rate Structures
Decreasing Block Rate
The price of water declines as the amount used increases. Each succeeding customer
block is cheaper. This structure is based on the assumption that costs decline as
consumption goes up.
Example:
•
$14 minimum for the first 2,000 gallons used
•
$2.50 per 1,000 from 2,001 – 6,000 gallons
•
$2.00 per 1,000 from 6,001 – 10,000 gallons
•
$1.00 per 1,000 for everything over 10,000 gal
Advantages
• Attractive to agricultural and industrial users
Disadvantages
• Promotes high consumption
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Why do I need my
Master Meter Gallons?
• Comparison of Billed vs. Master Meter water shows
unbilled/lost water
• Who pays for lost water?
• Reasons for unbilled/lost water
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City Facilities
Flushing
Backwashing
Water Main Leaks
Unmetered facilities
Broken / slow meters
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Meters….$.....¢
•
•
•
•
•
Meters are the cash box of the water system
Revenue based from monthly reading
Meters slow down over time and water quality
Water Meters have a Life Span!!
Large water users with slow or malfunctioning = loss
of major revenue
• Meter and Read Everything you can
• Meter Change out Program?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Gaining Customer Support
for Water Rate Increases
• Be sure customers understand the proposed rate
structure
• New rate structure needed to continue
production of quality water
• Show that each customer pays their fair share
• If your customers understand the circumstances
behind the increases, the more likely they will
support it!
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Billing and Collection
Monthly or quarterly billing based on
system size
Monthly
Advantages
• Meters are inspected monthly
• Revenue collected monthly
Disadvantages
• Time and paperwork too much for smaller systems
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Billing and Collection
Monthly or quarterly billing based
on system size
Quarterly
Advantages
• Reduces time and paperwork for small systems
• Saves Money
Disadvantages
• Less consistent revenue (only 4 times a year)
• Malfunctioning meters or tampered meters not immediately
discovered or resolved
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Collections Policy
• Fair collections policy = Every customer MUST
pay for the water used
• Enforcement keeps rates fair and equitable
• Rewards the customers that pay on time
• Reprimands customers that do not pay on
time
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Collections Policy
Consider the following to develop a collections policy:
– Provide a written document of the policy upon request
– Educate customers on the guidelines
– Monitor and report its effectiveness
– ENFORCE IT!!!
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Financing Programs
& Methods
• Funds needed when unanticipated events
require upgrades or new infrastructure to stay
in compliance with the SDWA
• Federal and State funds should not be
counted on for all situations.
• Viable system will have reserve accounts to
offset some if not all costs
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
RDA
• Eligible organizations must be <10,000 and
"truly rural":
– Public bodies (municipalities, counties, special
purpose districts & authorities)
– Not-for-profit organizations (associations,
cooperatives or private corporations)
– Indian tribes
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
RDA – Loans & Grants
• Permitted Uses :
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–
–
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Purchase of major equipment
Purchase of existing facilities
Construction or relocation of system lines
Payment of fees (legal, engineering, architectural or
financial)
– Payment of interest on loans until the water system is
self-supporting
– Payments for land, water rights, permits and
easements
– Refinancing of debts
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Community Development
Block Grants (CDBG)
• Allocated by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
• Administered by the Iowa Department of Economic
Development (IDED)
• National program objectives:
– Project must benefit low and moderate income
– Must prevent or eliminate slums or blight
– Must meet particular needs that represent an immediate
threat to the health and safety of residents
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
CDBG
• Permitted Uses of Funds:
–
–
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–
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Installation of new water distribution mains
Replacement of existing water distribution mains
Installation of larger capacity mains
Drilling of new wells
Plant expansions to meet increased demand or water
quality changes
– Installation of Fire hydrants
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
CDBG
• Permitted Uses of Funds:
– Replacement of major water system infrastructure
(storage tanks or treatment components)
– Construction of elevated or ground storage tanks
– Acquisition of real property, including rights of way and
easements
– Installation of service lines and payment of connection
fees for low-moderate income households
– Engineering, legal and other necessary professional
services needed for completing the project
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Low interest loans administered by IDNR and Iowa
Finance Authority
• Planning & Design Loan
– 0% interest up to 3 years
– Covers engineering & project development costs
– Possible to roll over into construction loan
• Construction loan
– 3% interest up to 30 years
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
DWSRF
• Eligible public communities:
– Community Water Systems (CWS) - municipalities,
home owners associations, mobile home parks
– Nontransient Noncommunity systems (NTNC) schools, factories, offices
– Transient Noncommunity systems (TNC) - truck
stops, campgrounds, parks
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Managing Viable Water Systems
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
How are the status of water
systems be assessed in Iowa?
•DNR conducts sanitary surveys every 3
years.
•IDNR determines Viability via
inspection results.
•Self Assessment Manual
•Completed when applying for SRF loans
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Managerial Capacity
Ability of a water system to conduct affairs in a
manner that enables a system to achieve
and maintain compliance with the Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
3 Key Issues
– Ownership Accountability
– Staffing & Organization
– Effective external linkages
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Key Issues
Ownership Accountability
– Are the owners of the system clearly identified?
– Can those owners be held accountable for the
system?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Key Issues
• Staffing and Organization
– Are the systems operator(s) and manager(s) clearly
identified?
– Does the personnel understand the management aspects
of regulatory requirements and system operations?
– Do the owners have adequate expertise to manage the
water system?
– Does the personnel have the necessary licenses and
certifications to operate the water system under Federal
and State regulations?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Emergency Response
Planning(ERP)
• ALL water systems are vulnerable to
varying degrees of natural disasters.
• An action plan that addresses possible
disasters will minimize the risk to the
water system.
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Developing an ERP
• Identify which emergencies are most likely to
effect the water system
– Flooding, tornados, power outage, contamination,
frozen pipes
• List the effect the disaster may have on the
water system
– System shutdown
– Pressure Loss
– Interruption of service
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Developing an ERP
• Maintain system records so they are readily
available during an emergency
– Maps
– Storage Capacity
– Phone Numbers
• List all spare parts, and the manufacturers
who provided them (inventory)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Developing an ERP
• Locate an emergency source of auxiliary power in
the event of a power outage
• List tools necessary for emergency repair of items
• Have a chain of command outlined, including
back-ups during an absence of management
personnel
• Provide up to date maps of the entire water
system
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Emergency Communication
• Who is the spokesperson?
• Inform the customers as to what has or is
happening to prevent widespread rumors or
panic
• Let public know steps that are being taken to
return to normal operation
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Emergency Considerations
• Water Conservation
• Emergency connections to nearby water
systems
• Portable water tanks, National Guard
• Hospitals
• Customers that are significantly
impacted by a loss or reduction in
capacity (elderly, children, etc.)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Sampling Plans
• Three types of plans required for each PWS to
have onsite during sanitary surveys:
– Lead and Copper
– Bacteria
– Disinfection by-products (DBPs)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Lead and Copper
Sampling Plans
• Required to provide customers where sample was
collected the lead analyticals within 30 days of
receiving lab results
• Submit a certification of your activities and a copy of
the notice to IDNR.
• Forms:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryWate
r/DrinkingWaterCompliance/Forms.aspx
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Bacterial Sampling Plans
• Bacteria Samples collected at rotating representative
locations within the water system.
• A plan includes
– Locations for monthly or quarterly samples (routine and
repeat)
– Upstream and downstream locations
– Instructions on how to take samples
– A map of each location in distribution system
– A log of each sample taken during a calendar year
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Disinfection By-Products (DBPs)
• Naturally occurring organics in water
combine with chlorine and produce
disinfection by-products
• Cancer causing at high concentrations over
long term consumption
• Trihalomethane (TTHM) and Haloacetic Acid
(HAA5)
• Sampling and plan required for all CWS
using chemicals for disinfection
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Maintenance and Record Keeping
• Maintenance Scheduling
– Each area should have specific duties for daily,
weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance
– Specify work to be done
– Specify equipment and identification if possible
– Specify frequency
– Outline personnel responsible for that work
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Record Keeping
• Accurate records used for interpreting
operation efficiency to budgeting and
planning
• State and federal regulations for how long
certain records must be kept
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Record Keeping
• Analytical Records
• IAC Chapter 42.5(1)
• Laboratory records and reports
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Bacteria tests – 5 years
Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs) – 10 years
Organic Chemicals – 10 years
Radionuclides – 10 years
Lead and Copper – 10 years
Corrective Action Reports – 10 years
Sanitary Surveys – 10 years
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Record Keeping
• Analytical Records, cont
– Operation or Construction Permits – 10 years
– Public Notification(CCR) – 5 years
– MORs – 5 years
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Record Keeping
• Facility Records
– System Atlases or Maps
– As-Built Plans
– Maintenance/Equipment Records
– Log Books
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Operation Permit
• Provided by the IDNR to all PWSs
• Guidelines for compliance with state and federal
regulations
• Lists contaminants to monitor for and frequency
• Lists self-monitoring requirements for specific water
treatment plants
• Copies can be obtained from local IDNR Field Office
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Operator Certification
•
•
•
•
IAC Chapter 81
Water Treatment License
Water Distribution License
Grade A certification
– Community under 250 population
– NTNC under 500 population
– Hypochlorination treatment only
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
CEUS
• Continuing Education Units
• IDNR approved courses
• Required for certified water operators to
maintain their licenses
• must be completed in the two year
certification period (between April 1 and
March 31 of odd numbered years)
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
CEUS
• Operators holding a treatment and distribution
license can earn no less than 25% of CEU's in one
area
Grade
Required CEUs
A, I, & II 1 or 10 contact hours
III & IV
2 or 20 contact hours
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Affidavit Operation
• Contract with a water system and a certified
operator not on staff
• Affidavit Operator is the operator in charge
• Direct responsibility for the daily operations
and directions of the facility and the other
workers employed at that facility
• Affidavit operation for only, Grades A, I, and II
• Contract must be signed and DNR approved.
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Consumer Confidence Reports
• Annual drinking water quality report
• Plain language explanation of water quality
results and health effects for consumers
• DNR draft CCR sent to systems in March
• Due to DNR and consumers July 1st of EVERY
year!
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Technical Capacity
• Physical and operational ability of water
system to meet SDWA requirements
• Ability of the system's personnel to operate
and maintain water system and implement
technical knowledge
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Technical Capacity
• Key Issues
– Source water adequacy
– Infrastructure adequacy
– Technical knowledge & implementation
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Technical Capacity
• Source Water Adequacy:
– Does the water system have a reliable source of
water?
– Is the source of generally good quality and is it
adequately protected?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Technical Capacity
• Infrastructure Adequacy
– Can the water system provide water that meets SDWA
standards?
– What is the condition of its infrastructure, including
wells, treatment, storage and distribution?
– What is the infrastructure’s life expectancy?
– Does the water system have a capital improvement
plan?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Technical Capacity
• Technical Knowledge and Implementation
– Is the water system’s operator certified?
– Does the operator have sufficient technical
knowledge of applicable standards?
– Can the operator effectively implement this
technical knowledge?
– Does the operator understand the water system’s
technical and operational characteristics?
– Does the water system have an effective operation
and maintenance plan?
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Source Water Adequacy
• What do you know about your source of
drinking water?
– Groundwater, Surface Water or Groundwater
Under the Influence of Surface Water
– Aquifer your water comes from
– Recharge Area
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Characteristics of Water
•
•
•
•
•
Physical Characteristics
Chemical Characteristics
Organic Characteristics
Biological Characteristics
Radiological Characteristics
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Physical Characteristics
• Temperature
– Affects chemical reactions
– 50-60°F is optimal for customers
• Turbidity
– Cloudiness of water
– Clay, silt, organic material, inorganic materials
• Color
– Iron = red
– Manganese = black
– Aesthetic vs. health problems
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Chemical Characteristics
• pH
– H+ concentration
– 0-14 scale
• Hardness
– Calcium & magnesium
– Causes scaling and buildup
• Dissolved Solids
– Taste, odor, hardness, corrosion, scaling problems
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Organic Characteristics
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Pesticides
Herbicides
Domestic waste
Industrial waste
Trihalomethane (TTHM)
Impact taste, odor, and color
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Biological Characteristics
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Bacteria (pathogenic)
Algae
Protozoa's (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)
Viruses
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Radiological Characteristics
• Radioactive material naturally existing in
soil and rock
• Radium 226 & 228(Combined Radium)
• Gross Alpha
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Types of Water
Treatment Techniques
• Aeration
• Precipitation/
Oxidation
• Sequestration
• Coagulation,
Flocculation,
Sedimentation
• Filtration
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
• Cation Exchange Softening
• Anion Exchange
Softening(Nitrate Removal)
• Lime Softening
• Adsorption
• Membrane Processes
• Fluoridation
• Disinfection
Fluoridation
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Naturally occurring in some aquifers
Can be added to drinking water
Promotes stronger teeth in children
Recommended level is 0.7 mg/L
Harmful to teeth at 2.0 mg/L
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) =
4.0 mg/L
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Disinfection
• A process used to inactivate pathogenic
organisms
• Chlorine is the most common form of
disinfection
– Gas Chlorine
– Sodium Hypochlorite (Liquid, bleach)
– Calcium Hypochlorite (Tablet)
• Minimum Free Chlorine residual 0.3 mg/L
• Minimum Total Chlorine residual 1.5 mg/L
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Water Storage
• Provide system with storage and pressure
• Provide storage for 24 hours without power
• Consider fire protection and community
growth
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Water Storage:
Tank Maintenance
• Inspected inside and out every 3 to 5 years
• Repainted every 10 years or as necessary
• Overflow pipe vent screen is secure
annually
• One volume change daily to prevent ice
formation
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Distribution System
• The system that distributes water to
customers
• Pipes
• Meters
• Valves
• Fire Hydrants
• Pumps
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities