Office of Drinking Water ODW Overview

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Office of Drinking Water (ODW) Overview

• What we do

Steven Pellei, Division of Technical Services and
David Battle, Security Coordinator March 29,
2006
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ODWWhat we do
We ensure safe drinking water for consumers

• by regulating Public Drinking Water Systems

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Public Water Systems

• Serve piped water for drinking or domestic use
• To at least 15 connections or 25 persons
• For 60 days or more in one year.
• Applies to
• 6.8 M consumers (? 91 of Virginias population)

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Public Water Systems must

• Adhere to federal and state standards
• Construction
• Treatment
• Operation
• Staffing
• Regularly test for microbial and chemical
  contamination and report results
• Notify the public of a violation

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Federal Laws
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Current National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations (NPDWR)

• 97 contaminants
• 8 microorganisms
• 5 radionuclides
• 20 inorganic contaminants
• 64 organic contaminants
• MCLs for 86 contaminants
• TTs for 11 contaminants
• SMCLs for 15 additional contaminants

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Acute Chronic Contaminants Regulated

• Acute - health effects from short term exposure
• microbes,
• nitrate

• Chronic - health effects from long term exposure
• - other organics and inorganics
• - exposure risk - 2 liters/day consumed for 70
  yrs.

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Sources and Types of Waterworks
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Primary Sources of Water

• Groundwater from springs and drilled wells
• Surface water from lakes, rivers, streams
• Groundwater Under the Influence of Surface Water
• Desalinized seawater or brackish groundwater

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Waterworks in Virginia

• Groundwater supplied systems 2748
• Population 914,000
• Surface supplied systems 326
• Population 5,962,000
• TOTAL 3089

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Waterworks in VirginiaNumber by Source
Ground Water 2748 waterworks
Surface Water 326 waterworks
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Waterworks in Virginia Population by Source
Ground Water service pop. 914,000
Surface Water service pop. 5,962,000
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Types of Waterworks

• Community - serves year-round residents
• Nontransient Noncommunity (NTNC) serves the same
  people more than 6 months per year, e.g. schools
• Transient Noncommunity (TNC) is not a community
  waterworks but operates at least 60 days per
  year, e.g. rest stop)

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Waterworks in Virginiaby Type
Total systems 3089
Community 1242 waterworks
Transient Noncommunity 1256 waterworks
Nontransient Noncommunity591 waterworks
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Protecting Water Qualitythe Multiple Barrier
Approach
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Multiple Barrier Approach

• Source Water Assessment/Protection Programs
• (WHPP, SWMP, SWAP, VWP)
• Water Treatment Facilities
• (design, construction, operation, inspections)
• Distribution System
• (design, construction, operation, monitoring,
  TRC)
• Education Programs
• Cross Connection Control Program

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Water Systems
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Conventional Water Treatment
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Distribution System

• Water mains
• Storage tanks
• Water meters
• Booster stations
• Possibly, re-disinfection

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PWSs Contamination Incidents

• Rarely at treatment facility
• Most occur in the distribution system
• Typically due to
• groundwater intrusion
• Mechanical failures

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Intrusion

• Presence of fecal coliform and enteric viruses
  exterior to pipe
• Contaminants can enter when pressure drops
• Leak sites become a portal for contaminant
  intrusion
• Well-run systems average 10-20 leakage

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Common Types of Incidents

• Major water main breaks or interruptions
• Mechanical Failures
• Loss of Power
• Flooding of wells
• Rapid Change in Source Water
• System drained during fire fighting/flushing

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Response ToolsSpecial Orders Notices

• Boil Water Advisories (Bact-T)
• Do Not Drink Advisories
• Do Not Use Advisories
• Notice Rescission (return to normal)

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Reasons for Boil Water Advisories

• Microbiological contamination - fecal
• Treatment effectiveness compromised
  turbidities, loss of chemical feed
• Zero or Negative pressure - backflow

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Boil Water Advisories Keys to Decisions

• Precautionary to safeguard public health
• Protect sensitive populations
• Consumer right-to-know
• Typ. Collaborative decisions
• Based on Several Factors
• Indicators of contamination
• Failure of treatment process
• Duration of Incident other info

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ODW StaffWho we are.
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ODW Staffis Comprised of

• 115 Staff Members
• Engineers
• Environmental Inspectors
• Admin/Management staff
• Enforcement Officer
• Six Field Offices
• One Central Office (six sections)

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The Office of Drinking Water
..committed to protecting public health by
ensuring access to safe drinking water.
J. Wesley Kleene, Ph.D., P.E., Director
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Central Office/ Field Office Roles

• Central Office responsible for administration and
  technical oversight.
• Field Offices allow ODW to provide site specific
  technical advice and assistance.

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Emergency Response Role
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Emergency Response Role

• ODW provides technical support and assistance in
  the event of an incident (not first responders).
• ODW primary objective is to restore and maintain
  safe drinking water.
• Information resource for outside agencies and
  water works concerning drinking water quality.
• Maintain close contact to affected area via Field
  Office Staff.

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Notification Process 1
Waterworks
ODW Field Office
ODW Central Office
Health Director
EPR
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Notification Process 2
Local Health Director
ODW Field Office
ODW Central Office
Waterworks
EPR
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Notification Process 3
Waterworks
ODW Central Office (via 1-800 )
ODW Field Office
EPR
Health Director
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Notification Process 4
Release Event/Hazmat
Prep/DEQ
Prep/VDH
ODW Central or Other VDH Entity
ODW Field Office
EPR (as needed)
Waterworks
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Collaboration/Info Sharing

• EPR
• VDH ECC
• State EOC
• Local HD Via Field Office Staff
• VDEM
• EPA
• DEQ

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ODW Goals 2006

• Better relationship with EPR
• Participate in more training exercises that are
  available
• Field Offices integrated w/ Local Health Director
• Initiate new plans and procedures that are both
  effective and efficient.

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THE END