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March 2026 Edition
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Safe Drinking Water is proud to provide updates, information, explanations and reminders to you with this edition of the Drinking Water News. In this issue:
- Lead Action Level Exceedances and LCRI
- Emergency Response Plans
- Emergency Bulk Water Hauling
- Care and Maintenance of Chemical Feed Pumps
- PFAS Sampling Basics
- Source Water Protection Basics
- Groundwater Rule vs. 4-log Treatment - What are They?
- Knowing Alarm and Shutdown Setpoints
- Sanitary Surveys: A Proactive Public Health Measure
- Keeping Facility Operators Updated ...
- Reaching Out: Leak Detection
Your feedback and suggestions can be submitted to dagrube@pa.gov.
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| Lead Action level Exceedances and LCRI
John Cairnes, Compliance Specialist, DEP Southeast Region
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Many water systems in Pennsylvania completed a round of monitoring for lead and copper in 2025. Over 90% of community and nontransient noncommunity water systems in Pennsylvania are not expected to monitor for lead and copper again until after the new Federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) become effective in November 2027. While Pennsylvania works towards adopting regulations to incorporate the LCRI, water systems may be wondering how the federal rule will affect their next round of lead and copper monitoring.
One of the most significant changes to LCRI is that the lead action level will be reduced in 2027 from 15 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion. If a water system’s 90th percentile value for lead is above 10 parts per billion (that is, the results in more than 10% of the total number of samples are above the lead action level), the water system exceeds the action level and will be required to:
- Notify customers with a Tier 1 public notice, to be distributed within 24 hours of discovery of the exceedance. Send consumer tap notices to all homeowners or residents at sites where samples were collected, whether the results of the sampling were above the action level, or not.
- Conduct a public education program to inform all customers of the health effects of lead and provide guidance on how water users may reduce their exposure to lead.
- Include clear health effects language about the dangers of lead consumption in their Consumer Confidence Reports. Water suppliers will also be required to provide information about testing for lead in schools and childcare facilities and inform customers where they can view a copy of the water system’s lead service line replacement plan.
- Take additional steps to address lead in the drinking water. The individual steps a system must take are dependent on system characteristics such as the population served, or the type of water treatment provided.
The new lower action level for lead may result in a future increase in new action level exceedance and water systems should consider what they can do now to prevent such exceedance. Water systems should review past monitoring results and 90th percentile figures as a possible predictor for their next round of sampling. Water systems with multiple sites exceeding the action level will be required to conduct additional outreach to affected customers and provides filters – that are certified to reduce lead in drinking water for their taps. Some systems may be required to install corrosion control treatment or adjust existing treatment in response to an action level exceedance. Systems without corrosion control will be required to submit a corrosion control feasibility study by the required deadline as provided by the Department.
The LCRI includes requirements for the identification, location, and replacement of potential and known lead service lines in public water distribution systems. By October 2024, all community and nontransient noncommunity water systems should have developed and submitted a service line inventory identifying all lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), non-lead, and unknown service lines. By November 2027, all water systems with one or more lead, GRR, or unknown service lines in their distribution system, must develop and submit a service line replacement plan to DEP. The service line replacement plan must outline how water systems will replace all lead and GRR service lines under their control within 10 years. The service line inventory and replacement plan are considered “living”’ documents, especially for large water system that have many service lines of unknown composition, that must be updated by the required deadlines. Outreach efforts to identify all service lines should be ongoing, and the service line inventory plus replacement plan will need to be adjusted as more lead service lines are identified and replaced. DEP staff will assist water systems, as needed, to incorporate these new requirements into their operations.
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| Emergency Response Plans
Kimberly Bennett, Compliance Specialist, DEP Southwest Region
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“Quick! There’s evidence of tampering with our finished water storage tank. Find the emergency response plan!” “Wait… which operator knows exactly where that’s located?”
All community water systems are required under 25 Pa. Code § 109.707 to “develop a plan for the provision of safe and adequate drinking water under emergency circumstances.” Additionally, under America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, community water systems serving more than 3,300 people are required to develop or update emergency response plans (ERPs). When an emergency arises, operators and staff need to make quick decisions to ensure public health is protected. Emergency response plans play an important role in laying out information so staff know what to, when to do it, and who to contact.
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- Organization table
- Communication procedures and contact information
- Means of communication
- System summary
- Assessment of available resources
- Corrective actions
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Having a one-stop location to find this information can cut down on time to organize a response. Drinking water emergencies can vary from contamination, interruptions to disinfection or other key treatment processes, water main breaks, tampering, power outages, and more. 25 Pa. Code § 109.707(c) requires community water systems to review and update ERPs at least annually and keep a record of when the ERP is updated. The annual review and updates are important because in an emergency, staff do not have the time to double check if a phone number is correct.
DEP has a developed an ERP template and instructions for public water suppliers to use.
Public water suppliers can also reference Part VI, of the Department’s Public Water Supply Manual for more information on developing an ERP. While the templates are helpful, ERPs should be tailored to the specifics of each water system. ERPs should include all required elements mentioned above, as well as any additional information operators and staff consider necessary to address emergency situations that may occur in the treatment and in the distribution system.
Community water systems serving more than 3,300 people also need to be aware that the AWIA requirements for ERPs are broader than DEP’s current requirements. EPA has also developed a ERP template and instructions and cybersecurity incident action checklist for water suppliers that need to enhance their ERP to meet the AWIA requirements.
Due to the many scenarios that can be included in ERPs, it is best to attempt to outline these situations before they occur. For example, there are often different types of chemicals in a treatment plant. These chemicals have manufacturer-specific data sheets that provide important information regarding potential environmental and human health impacts in emergency situations such as spills or inadvertent overfeeds. Taking the time to describe the appropriate response for individual chemicals, can reduce impacts. Just because the possible emergency scenarios seem endless, does not mean operators should not try to outline relevant possibilities in an ERP.
When you are done reading this edition of the Drinking Water News newsletter, reach out to your regional DEP office to ensure you have the correct contact information for your sanitarian in your ERP.
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| Emergency Bulk Water Hauling
Adam Reeher, Compliance Specialist, DEP Northwest Region
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As the owner and/or operator of a public water system, you may find yourself in a situation that requires the receipt of bulk water. Typically, water systems find the need to contract a bulk water hauler when they discover their source is experiencing an abrupt change in water quality and/or quantity. If this is the case, consult with your local DEP office within 1 hour of discovery, as required in 25 Pa. Code § 109.701(a)(3). You’ll find that you may need to issue a public notice to your customers to ensure public health is protected (as examples, Mandatory Conservation Notice, Boil Water Notice, Do Not Drink). After the consultation, retrieve the contact information for your preferred Bulk Water Hauler from your Emergency Response Plan and consult with the hauler to ensure they can provide the service as needed. Information on DEP-approved Bulk Water Haulers can also be obtained on the Drinking Water Reporting System (DWRS).
Once you have a commitment from a bulk hauler, notify the Department, and begin the emergency permitting process. It’s important that you consult with the Department during this process to ensure the proper forms and modules are being used. Depending on your situation, the required forms, modules, and information may change or be tailored to the specific situation. Adequate completion of these permit application components will give the Safe Drinking Water permitting staff vital information like applicant information, emergency permit justification, project inventory, and, if needed, the inclusion of any additional submittals. Some of the associated forms, modules, and fact sheets are listed below.
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The completed application can be submitted via ePermitting. A fee of $100 is required at the time of submittal. Please notify your sanitarian once the application has been submitted. An Emergency Permit is required before receiving a delivery of bulk water. Failing to obtain a permit before receiving bulk water is a violation of 25 Pa. Code § 109.501 and 25 Pa. Code § 109.506(a). Please remember to keep an open line of dialog with the Department during an emergency situation. The Department is here to assist you through the regulatory process.
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| Care and Maintenance of Chemical Feed Pumps
Dan Ackers, Compliance Specialist, DEP Northeast Region
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Chemical feed pumps are the unsung heroes of drinking water treatment. Some new operators may walk by them and not think too much about them - until they stop working. Then, they are suddenly your entire world, which is why experienced operators focus attention on chemical feed pumps. With some basic preventative care, most chemical feed pumps will keep on operating properly in the background of your treatment plant.
There are a number of types of chemical feed pumps, but this article focuses on diaphragm style pumps and peristaltic pumps as they are two of the most common types. As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the care and maintenance of your particular chemical feed pump. They made it, they should know how best to maintain it. It is also a good idea to have a few replacement parts available for the makes and models of the pumps you are using to make routine maintenance easier.
Diaphragm style feed pumps have some well-known areas to watch. One of the most important being the diaphragm itself. Any damage to it will impact its ability to pump, as will excessive wear and tear which occurs over extended use. The check balls that sit above and below the pump head that contains the diaphragm can develop deposits or scratches on them that will cause them not to seal properly and affect pump performance. The gasket that seals the two halves of the pump head together also wear out. An operator who has come in and found their pump dribbling from the pump head has seen this issue firsthand. Finally, off-gassing of concentrated chemical mixtures can cause the pump to air bind (an issue seen with neat-fed 12.5% sodium hypochlorite). If feeding a more dilute solution isn’t possible, installing a properly adjusted “5-way valve” on the outlet of the pump head will help to purge any air from the pump.
Peristaltic pumps can also be found in a treatment plant alongside diaphragm pumps. Peristaltic pumps have one primary part that needs regular attention - the pump tubing itself which doses the chemical. Keeping a quantity of the proper type and diameter of these tubes on hand makes their upkeep easy. The rollers that compress the dosing tubing do occasionally wear out too, so keep a spare set in your inventory. Experience shows they last for a number of years between replacements, particularly if the dosing tubing is replaced prior to failure and the rollers are not exposed to chemicals.
In closing, this article is titled “care and maintenance” rather than “care and repair”. Time spent on maintenance will always be better than time spent on repairs. Preventative maintenance can be done on your schedule as you have time. Repairs happen when they happen and rarely is that at the best time. A few minutes of maintenance now will save you hours of repairs later.
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| PFAS Sampling Basics
Sara Henninger, Compliance Specialist, DEP Northcentral Region
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Are you new at collecting a per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sample for your system? To guarantee proper collection of your sample, there are some precautions to consider throughout this process. As an operator, you must take the appropriate steps in preventing cross contamination and incorrect practices. Implementing standard operating procedures (SOP) at your system may assist circuit riders and operators in the collection process to mitigate cross contamination and incorrect practices in collecting these sensitive samples.
You should start by asking for any sample collection procedures from the lab that will be conducting the analysis and be sure to incorporate the lab’s instructions into your SOP. Next, there are several additional precautions you will need to consider and include in your SOP. The rest of this article walks through these precautions.
Before sampling - stop to think. What are you wearing? What is nearby your sample tap? Are you using sharpies or water-resistant notepads? Many household products contain PFAS, possibly even the detergents you wash your clothing with. Take note of any lunch or snack breaks that were taken, because food packaging may have been treated with PFAS. Taking the necessary precautions to prevent cross contamination before sample collection is key to ensuring accurate sample results. Mitigate the potential for cross contamination through vigilance and avoid any products you suspect contain PFAS. Consider washing your hands with a phosphate-free detergent solution, if available, or plain bar soap and be sure to rinse with lab-grade water. Wearing disposable nitrile gloves while collecting samples may also help prevent cross contamination.
Documentation of your observations at and around the sample tap should be considered. Entry points can vary in character and location, so it is important to take note of any pipes and fittings and remove any aerators if possible as these items may contain PFAS. You may also take photos of the entry point tap conditions to document any source of potential contamination such as the presence of Teflon tape or a similar material. If these problem areas cannot be avoided, flush your sample tap for at least five minutes before collecting your sample.
Now you should be ready to take your sample. First, fill out and fix the labels to the bottles prior to sampling. It is recommended to use a ballpoint pen on your labels. Otherwise, ensure that the pen or marker dries completely prior to collecting your sample. Keep the sample container lids on the bottles until you are ready to collect the sample. As you remove the lid, treat it as though it is already contaminated. Do not touch the inside of the bottle cap lid and make certain the lid does not come into contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces. Take care not to overfill your sample bottle, as you will lose preservative.
Once your samples are collected, you should prioritize icing your samples immediately after collection. Efficiency is key here, so plan to prepare your cooler for shipment before collecting the samples. Double bagging your samples will prevent your signed and dated seals from being compromised. Your samples should not exceed 10°C (approximately 50°F) during the first 48 hours after collection. Make sure that your cooler is free of any ice melt to mitigate the potential for contamination during transportation.
PFAS sample collection can be intimidating but allowing yourself time to go through these steps to ensure that cross contamination doesn’t occur before, during or after sampling will save you a lot of hassle overall. You may consider creating and implementing an SOP to maintain at your system to maintain consistency from one sample collection to the next. Cross contamination with PFAS can easily occur without intention and leaves little to no room for error, but taking the necessary precautions during the sampling process can prevent headaches later on.
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| Source Water Protection Basics
Gail Guenther, Compliance Specialist, DEP Southwest Region
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Source water protection - it’s a big topic with a lot of contributing factors. The overarching purpose of the initiative, though, is simple - taking steps to identify and prevent the contamination or diminishment of drinking water sources, both surface and ground, with the goal of protecting and improving water quality and quantity. Not only do those efforts help to protect the water you provide to your consumers, they may also have a positive impact on the extent or cost of the water treatment you need to undertake at your system.
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Under 25 Pa. Code § 109.705(a)(1) of Pennsylvania’s safe drinking water regulations, community water systems are required to perform a system evaluation at least annually, and that evaluation includes inspecting the delineated source water protection area to identify and evaluate both actual and potential sources of contamination. During that inspection, you will be looking at things like underground storage tanks, on-lot septic systems, nearby industry, stormwater control, and any other activities in the area that could impact your water quality or quantity. Source water assessment information also has to be included in your system’s Consumer Confidence Report published each year under 25 Pa. Code § 109.416.
Community engagement plays a vital role in source water protection as well. Taking steps to educate and form partnerships with local residents and businesses in support of source water protection can have meaningful impacts, such as increasing awareness of potential contamination and reducing threats from industrial disposal practices, for example.
Additionally, under 25 Pa. Code § 109.713 of the regulations, public water systems can develop and seek approval of a source water protection program to protect surface water intakes, wellheads, and the surrounding areas from potential contamination. The specific requirements for the program are specified in the regulation, but it must include a steering committee with local stakeholders, public education and participation, a map of the delineated protection areas, individual source assessments, management approaches for source protection, contingency planning for alternate water supplies and emergency response, and protection of new source development sites. Once approved, the plan must be updated annually.
For more information on source water protection programs, including DEP technical assistance and funding, visit DEP’s Source Water Protection Program.
In addition, EPA’s FITS: Funding Integration Tool for Source Water has information on funding for source water protection efforts that may be available from a number of sources, as well as a helpful funding tool.
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| Groundwater Rule vs. 4-log Treatment - What are They?
Matthew Hollen, Compliance Specialist, DEP Southcentral Region
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You’re at a yearly water conference or convention with other operators and circuit riders getting credits for your licenses or just trying to catch up on any new regulations that are going to come into effect. You start conversing with some of your colleagues about various treatments that you’re currently working with when someone mentions a 4-log treatment system that must maintain a 0.40 mg/L chlorine residual at the entry point. Then someone else mentions that they are currently dealing with a Groundwater Rule (GWR) system that has chlorine requirements as well. The conversation gets you thinking, what does 4-log treatment and the Groundwater Rule mean? Over the next couple of paragraphs, we will find out what each is and how they apply.
Let’s begin by discussing what the Groundwater Rule is and what it applies to. The GWR became effective in Pennsylvania on December 1, 2009. This rule applies to all water systems using groundwater and helps identify any groundwater sources that may be at an increased risk for fecal contamination. What this means is when a noncommunity water system using a groundwater source with simple or no disinfection is required to take check samples after a total coliform positive result, they are also required to collect a source water sample to be analyzed along with the check samples for E. coli. There are multiple options that the system may decide to take in response to a positive result for E. coli. These options are: eliminating the source of contamination, installing 4-log disinfection treatment, or abandoning the contaminated source and developing a new source. More information can be found at DEP’s GWR webpage regarding the rule. But if treatment is the option chosen to be the corrective action for the GWR, that leads into 4-log treatment for viruses.
Requirements to provide 4-log treatment of viruses were also incorporated into DEP’s regulations back in 2009. Per the regulations, all community water systems using groundwater must maintain 4-log treatment of viruses at their entry point(s). A minimum free chlorine residual of 0.40 mg/L is required at each entry point, unless a different chlorine residual is stated in the water system’s permit. As mentioned above, nontransient noncommunity water systems and transient noncommunity water systems may also install 4-log treatment in response to source water E. coli-positive samples. As you probably know, all community and nontransient noncommunity water systems are required to have a certified operator. Additionally, transient noncommunity water systems with 4-log treatment are required to have a certified operator. This also shows why some classes on 4-log treatment may be provided at various conferences that you attend. The 4-log treatment of Viruses Demonstration Guidance provides more useful information and requirements.
To wrap up discussing the GWR and 4-log treatment, they were both implemented by the Department back in 2009. The GWR applies to all public water systems that utilize a groundwater source, and 4-log treatment ensures 99.99% inactivation of viruses is achieved. Hopefully, this helped in differentiating between the two. When in doubt, it is always better to get in contact with your local sanitarian. Ask to see if they could send you a copy of your permit or noncommunity water system approval.
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| Knowing Alarm and Shutdown Setpoints
Scott Yanos, Compliance Specialist, DEP Southcentral Region
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Technology has become an increasing asset in the production of drinking water. Operators have increased their capabilities to produce high quality water with many digital assets. However, this has potential drawbacks depending on how it is used. This is because the automation that technology provides can lead to complacency if operators take a completely hands-off approach and rely too heavily on the technology to perform monitoring for them. This can lead to possible problems down the road. Automation cannot be proactive to prevent problems before they occur; it can only be reactive to a problem. This is particularly true for the automation of alarms and shutdowns.
Alarms and shutdowns are an important aspect to any drinking water facility. They help to be the last line of defense and are intended to prevent harmful contaminants from going out into the distribution system. They are most helpful for systems that are not continuously staffed. In fact, automated shutdowns are required for unattended systems. You can review the regulations pertaining to alarms and shutdowns at 25 Pa. Code § 109.602.
Although alarms and shutdowns are designed to prevent inadequately treated water from being consumed, they are a tool that can fail for many reasons. They are equipment that can break. A power outage could reset the alarms and shutdowns or disable them. Computer updates can also cause these problems. Alarm and shutdown setpoints may accidentally be changed. They may be purposefully changed through a cyber-attack. These are just a few possibilities. Water systems should take measures to account for the possibility of those failures. 25 Pa. Code § 109.703(c)(2) states: “For any failures of alarm or shutdown equipment: (i) Ensure the plant is adequately staffed until the equipment is operational. (ii) Notify the Department as soon as possible of any failure that cannot be corrected within 24 hours. (iii) Restore the equipment to operation within 5 working days of the failure unless a longer period of time is approved by the Department.” This means the operators are still ultimately responsible should the alarm and shutdown system fail.
This isn’t the only possible consequence of not knowing the alarm and shutdown setpoints for your facility. If operators don’t know the setpoints for their alarms and shutdowns, operators may not respond to critical issues that develop. This may not allow the operators to take the proper steps to prevent the problem. It may also lead to further regulatory action. This is a big concern if the facility sends untreated water into the distribution system endangering public health. If an alarm set point is set high for the system, it may alarm frequently, desensitizing operators to the alarm. For example, if the low chlorine setpoint is too high, the operator may look at the reading, see that it is still at a good chlorine level, acknowledge the alarm and then move on. This may happen frequently and an operator who is busy may ignore the alarm knowing that the setpoint is higher than needed and continue with whatever they are doing. This puts the system at risk for a public health violation. Improper alarm and shutdown setpoints can also risk damaging the equipment if improper conditions are allowed to persist, such as a high pressure build up within the system.
Alarm and shutdown setpoints not being properly set seems like something unlikely to happen. Many water facilities are turning to digital assets which makes these setpoints vulnerable to hacking attempts from outside parties. With digital automation, someone could hack into the system and change the setpoints. This can occur without operators knowing it has happened until it is too late. If the setpoints are changed or removed, damage as described above could happen and/or unsafe drinking water could go out into the distribution system.
One way to ensure that these negative consequences don’t happen to your system is knowing the setpoints for your alarms and shutdowns. Operators can be proactive and deal with potential problems before an alarm or shutdown is triggered. Make sure that every operator knows what the alarm and shutdown setpoints are. This allows operators to monitor the operating data. They can know if the system is operating outside of the alarm and shutdown setpoints. The facility should routinely check the alarm and shutdown setpoints. This ensures that they align with what is in the facility’s standard operating procedure. A good time to check this would be during the alarm and shutdown testing which is a quarterly requirement. The facility may even want to simulate that the setpoints have been changed. This exercise helps to ensure operator knowledge of the alarm and shutdown setpoints.
In conclusion, knowing the alarm and shutdown setpoints is quite important. It allows operators to be proactive. Operators can confront problems before they occur. This helps to protect the water system should automation fail to function the way it is intended. It is an important aspect that often gets forgotten about in a world that is more and more reliant on technology.
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| Sanitary Surveys: A Proactive Public Health Measure
Gina Kellett, Compliance Specialist, DEP Northeast Region
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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to regularly conduct sanitary surveys of regulated public water systems. The purpose of the sanitary survey is to evaluate and document the capabilities of the water system's sources, treatment, storage, distribution network, operation and maintenance, and overall management to ensure production and delivery of safe drinking water.
DEP staff meet with water system personnel on-site to inspect and evaluate eight areas of focus during each sanitary survey.
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- Source – Review raw water source’s features for the purpose of preventing water quality issues and contamination.
- Treatment – Identify existing or potential sanitary risks in the design, operation, maintenance, and management of water treatment plants.
- Distribution System – Review the design, operation, maintenance and management of the distribution system to prevent water quality issues as the water is delivered to customers.
- Finished Water Storage – Review the design and components of finished water storage facilities to prevent water quality issues that can occur during storage.
- Pumps – Review the design and use of pumping facilities to determine reliability and identify sanitary issues.
- Monitoring and Reporting – Determine water system compliance with regulations through the review of monitoring plans and records.
- Management and Operation – Evaluate water system performance in terms of operation and management.
- Operator Compliance – Ensure the water system is employing qualified personnel that meet all applicable operator requirements.
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These areas of focus create a comprehensive view of the water system and address multiple barriers that work together to prevent drinking water contamination. The public water system should be able to run smoothly and continue to provide safe drinking water to the public even if they are deficient in one area, as long as the barriers in the other areas remain functional. Sanitary surveys assist in understanding the relationship of these areas and let the water system know that it is important that the water system strive to produce safe drinking water even in the event of deficiencies.
Sanitary survey inspections are required to be conducted at all community and noncommunity water systems on a routine basis to ensure that public health remains protected. The frequency is every 3 years for community water systems and every 5 years for noncommunity water systems. DEP staff will typically reach out to a system when it is time for the sanitary survey to be scheduled, so that time can be set aside by the Department and knowledgeable water system personnel to meet and inspect the water system together and discuss questions raised during the sanitary survey. However, if a water system has any questions regarding the sanitary survey, they can contact their local DEP sanitarian at any time.
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| Keeping Facility Operators Updated …
Bill King, Water Program Specialist, DEP Central Office
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Annually the Department mails out an available operator report (AOR) along with the Operator Certification Annual Service Fee invoice. This mailing is conducted in early July of each year, but, did you know your operators can be updated without waiting on the AOR? By going to this link (Report Change of an Available Operator) one can update an operator any time rather than just waiting for the annual mailing. This tool can be used to remain compliant with the requirement found in 25 Pa. Code § 302.1202(c) that a system owner notify the Department in writing within 10 calendar days of the addition, loss, change or replacement of an available operator. The owner shall provide at that time the name, client ID, and class and subclassification(s) of all operator changes. Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water in DEP’s Central Office.
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| Reaching Out: Leak Detection
Brad Baker, Operator Outreach Program Coordinator, DEP Central Office
Email: Outreach@pa.gov
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Finding leaks in a distribution system can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack - especially for smaller groundwater systems with limited staff, aging maps, or buried valves that no one has touched in years. The good news is that Operator Outreach has acoustic leak detection equipment and trained Outreach Providers who can come onsite and help you locate leaks at no cost to your system. If you think you may be losing water, or your daily production doesn’t match what you expect, give us a call!
When we visit a system for leak detection, we work side-by-side with your operators to review the distribution layout and understand how the water flows through each part of the system. This includes walking through pressure zones, tracing service areas, confirming key controls, and identifying valves and shutoffs that may have been forgotten or buried over time. Isolating zones is often the most important step - it narrows down the likely location so we can use our acoustic equipment effectively.
Once the zone is isolated, our team uses specialized listening devices to locate leaks that are often impossible to hear or see above ground. These tools can detect the sound that leaking water creates inside the pipe, even when the leak isn’t surfacing. With the help of your operator, we move from valve to valve and service to service, narrowing the search until we can pinpoint the problem. Many systems are surprised at how quickly we can identify leaks once the correct area is isolated.
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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