KyWARN is a new organization in Kentucky that promotes emergency preparedness and mutual assistance for public and private water and wastewater utilities. The lessons of hurricanes Katrina and Rita revealed the need to coordinate emergency response and resource availability. Realizing this, the water community and state agencies together created the Kentucky Water/Wastewater Response Network or KyWARN. Visit KyWARN to become a member and explore the KyWARN tutorial.
Guidance on analyzing UV254 absorbing compounds based on Standard Method 5910B is provided by Alison Gusses with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ultra violet (UV) absorption is measured at 253.7 nanometers (nm) but often rounded off to 254 nm (UV254). Additional information about UV absorption method can be found in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and in product information and operating procedures provided by the spectrophotometer manufacturer. Mention of commercial trade names in the guidance document do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from EPA or Kentucky Division of Water. An example log sheet for analysis of UV 254 absorbing compounds is provided.
This document lists some of the chemicals used in producing safe drinking water categorized according to their process or use. The document also lists some of the major chemical companies. Operators must refer to quality standards by the American Water Works Association for technical information and recommendations for safe handling, storage, feeding and use of chemicals.
Zeta-Meter, Inc. Everything You Want to Know about Coagulation and Flocculation. April 1993. Handbook discusses principles of coagulation, flocculation and jar testing for water treatment, plus gives guidance on selecting treatment chemicals. Five minutes to Zeta Potential is a document by Zeta-Meter that explains electrokinetics, colloidal behavior, the zeta potential and the balance of repulsion and attraction.
Online presentation titled "Why measure Zeta Potential?" Zeta potential is the electrical potential existing at the hydrodynamic plane of shear of a particle. The zeta potential depends upon the particle surface and the dispersant. Particles interact according to the magnitude of zeta potential, not their surface charge. Therefore, zeta potential can be used to predict dispersion stability. The measurement of zeta potential is an extremely important parameter across a wide range of industries including brewing, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, medicine, mineral processing and water treatment. Measurement of zeta potential can be used to optimize the use of expensive flocculants and speed up the flocculation process. This document provides further insight of zeta potential as illustrated in colloidal chemistry.
Instructions for using the Stage 2/LT2 Combined Distribution System (CDS) Listing, November 2006
Combined Distribution System (CDS) Listing in Excel, November 2006
EPA published several guidance manuals that may assist public water systems. These manuals, training materials, quick reference guides and fact sheets are available on EPA's Web page for Implementation: microbial and disinfection by-products rules, http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/implement.html. These reference handbooks include:
• Alternative Disinfectants and Oxidants Guidance Manual
• Disinfection Profiling and Benchmarking Guidance Manual
• Enhanced Coagulation and Enhanced Precipitative Softening Guidance Manual
• Guidance Manual for Compliance with the IESWTR: Turbidity Provisions
• Guidance Manual for Conducting Sanitary Surveys of Public Water Systems
• M/DBP Simultaneous Compliance Manual
• Uncovered Finished Water Reservoirs Guidance Manual
• Disinfection profile/CT spreadsheet, April 2001: *Note to users of previous versions of the spreadsheet: Spreadsheets downloaded PRIOR to April 2001 give a divide by zero error in calculations during months with less than 31 days.
EPA documents can be ordered free from EPA’s Publication Index, http://www.epa.gov/nscep/. No endorsement is intended or made of any product, service or information either by its inclusion or exclusion from this page or site.
Visit the EPA Web sites below for information on drinking water security:
Don’t forget to plan for National Preparedness Month. Many state homeland security offices, counties, national associations, corporations and others have joined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by signing on as coalition members. Each member takes extra steps to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks and encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.
Encourage people to get ready for an emergency by visiting DHS’s Web site ready.gov. They outline a simple and effective three-step plan to prepare for an emergency. Additionally, information is provided about coalition members, press releases, fact sheets plus demonstration videos that outline specific steps older Americans, individuals with disabilities and pet owners should take to prepare for emergencies.
The three basic steps to prepare families for an emergency are:
1. Prepare by obtaining a free kit.
2. Make a plan.
3. Stay informed.
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Web site for information and training on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_training.shtm and at http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp. As a sample NIMs guide from the Texas Rural Water Association, refer to “Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Utility NIMS Implementation Guide.” The Texas NIMs document was developed to help small water and wastewater utilities that serve less than 10,000 people to incorporate NIMS into their emergency response plans (ERP). Since some of the components of NIMS are broader in scope and impossible for small utilities to implement, only those components that are needed for a response at the local level will be incorporated into the utilities ERP.
