New Grant Provides Money for Emerging Contaminants!

The division has been awarded $86 million from the EPA to implement the EPA Emerging Contaminants for Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (EC-SDC). The purpose of the program is to assist public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities with planning and design grants, and infrastructure funding to reduce public health risks from emerging contaminants.

The division is implementing the grant program in a multi-round Request For Application (RFA) process for public water systems under two tiers: Tier 1 is a planning and design grant up to $300,000. Tier 2 is a construction grant in award amounts up to $10M per year for up to three years. The program places priority on PFAS treatment projects followed by manganese and other drinking water emerging contaminants. More information regarding program details can be found on the WQCD Water Quality Grants webpage under the EC-SDC blue banner.

In order for projects to be eligible for this funding they must be governmental or private non-profit public water systems, be considered disadvantaged, and have an identified emerging contaminant issue through direct sampling. The program is focused on addressing issues related to PFAS, but manganese is also considered an emerging contaminant and can be funded through this program. If your system has not completed any PFAS sampling yet, you can qualify for a one time sampling of your finished drinking water for PFAS. Use this form to request PFAS sampling for your public water systems.

The program has already funded a number of projects including a new water plant to treat PFAS, a pilot study to evaluate new technology to treat emerging contaminants, and a planning grant to conduct studies to determine system improvement options for treating PFAS and manganese. 

The division plans to release an RFA near the beginning of 2025 and systems are encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity. The RFA will be announced on the WQCD Water Quality Grants webpage under the EC-SDC blue banner. There will also be an announcement sent out to all subscribers of our listserv under the topics of “General - Grants and Loans” and “General - PFAS (Toxic Firefighting Foam Chemicals)”. Please go to the Stay Informed - Water Quality site to subscribe to these and other lists. If you have any questions or you would like to discuss a potential project please reach out to cdphe_wqcd_ec_sdc_grants@state.co.us.

➽ Mark Henderson, Section Manager, WQCD Community Development & Partnership Section

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Safe Drinking Water Act

Water is a precious resource. Water is life, and we need to continue protecting it. On December 16, 2024 we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act. President Ford  (a part-time Vail, Colorado resident) signed it in 1974. This landmark legislation set unified standards for water systems across the United States to protect public health. The act set national health-based standards to protect against naturally occurring and human-made contaminants. 

That work continues today. In April 2024, the EPA set standards for the group of chemicals known as PFAS. That made headlines. It was the first new standard to be set since 2000. However, the typical water consumer probably never sees all the routine things that happen under the act. The Water Quality Control Division (division)  works every day to assist and educate our water partners across the state to ensure that water is properly treated and tested. Since 1974, the risk of waterborne disease and children’s lead exposure from drinking water has been dramatically reduced. The Safe Drinking Water Act also gives people the right to information about tap water from their community systems. This occurs annually in Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), another rule EPA updated in 2024, and via the Public Notice Rule when violations occur. This transparency helps people trust that their tap water is safe.

Moreover, the Safe Drinking Water Act provides federal money to help communities improve their drinking water systems, often costing millions of dollars. That benefit comes from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). South Fork, Colorado is a prime example of how well it can work. The town of about 600 people in Rio Grande County is located on the west side of the San Luis Valley. Two years ago, the town built a new water system to replace a patchwork of private wells. Now, there is enough treated water to supply 158 houses and to fight fires if needed. Town officials have stated that they would never have been able to achieve this project without the Water Quality Control Division's guidance and the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

We’ve made tremendous strides in the last 50 years improving drinking water quality. And we’re not done. Today, the division supports innovative ways to combat current and future challenges like new and emerging contaminants, wildfires, and more. We’re assisting dozens of communities helping them to replace aging water infrastructure, and that need will only expand as we head into the future. We’re also working with communities across the state to protect people from drinking water pipes that may contain lead. Water providers are looking for them. In several communities like Denver, the removal of lead pipes is already underway. 

The Safe Drinking Water Act provides our direction. The bottom line: we want people to have the water they deserve. The division will continue to do that here in Colorado, with guidance from the Safe Drinking Water Act, for years to come. Together with our water utilities, we’ve been safeguarding drinking water for the past 50 years via the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

Thank you for all the progress over the last half a century!

➽ John Michael Marketing and Communications Specialist

➽ Ron Falco, P.E. Safe Drinking Water Program Manager

Record of Approved Waterworks and Sanitary Survey Significant Deficiencies

The Field Services Section (FSS) just wrapped up the 2024 inspection year (IY24) in September 2024 and the new IY25 inspection year started in October 2024! We appreciate all the assistance from public water systems in completing 497 sanitary surveys in 2024. In this article we will discuss one of the most frequently cited significant deficiencies from IY24: T119 Proper treatment operation of surface water or groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) systems. 

Many suppliers of surface water or groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) have participated in the Disinfection Outreach and Verification Effort (DOVE) led by the Engineering Section. DOVE reviews typically include a detailed  assessment of the disinfection process and thorough documentation of all other unit processes at all active surface water treatment plants. The two end results of the DOVE review are 1) a facility-specific Monthly Operating Report (MOR)  and 2) a Record of Approved Waterworks (RAW). The RAW is issued by the Engineering Section and it covers all the supplier’s approved treatment and storage facilities and water sources. To find you facility's RAW please visit this website and type in your PWSID or the name of your facility. 

The RAW includes conditions of approval specific to the treatment plant that are evaluated during the sanitary survey. These conditions of approval are important operational requirements specific to each facility that are in place to ensure the production of safe drinking water and protection of public health. All suppliers are encouraged to be familiar with their RAW; especially the “conditions of approval” for each facility. 

Frequently seen RAW conditions of approval that are evaluated during the sanitary surveys include but are not limited to:

1. For suppliers reporting the log inactivation ratio achieved in their MOR:
• Clearwell levels and flow rate must be measured and recorded at least as often as each disinfectant residual monitoring event as defined in Section 11.8(3)(c) of Regulation 11. The records of clearwell volume and flow rate are subject to Division review during sanitary surveys.
• Water temperature and pH must be measured and recorded as often as necessary given source water quality conditions but at least as often as once every week. These records are subject to Division review during sanitary surveys.
2. For suppliers reporting the lowest daily chlorine residual value in their MOR:
• The minimum contact time volume must be measured and recorded at least as often as each disinfectant residual monitoring event as defined in Section 11.8(3)(c) of Regulation 11. The records of contact time volume is subject to Department review during sanitary surveys.
• Tank level sensors typically are required to be verified at least annually to ensure measurements are calibrated and accurate. Records of level sensor measurement confirmation must be kept and  are subject to review during sanitary surveys.
3. Any contact tank bypass valves (if present) must be confirmed as being operationally closed at least once per year by appropriately actuating the valve. If the bypass is operated at any time, the supplier must notify the Division prior to use. Records of bypass valve annual actuating and maintenance must be maintained and are subject to Division review during sanitary surveys. A common method for verifying valve closure and valve actuator integrity is to count, and keep a record of the number of actuator turns from open to closed and verify that the number of turns counted is correct for the valve type and size.
4. Suppliers using alternative filtration technology must continuously meet the design, performance, and operation and maintenance requirements established in Sections 4.3.9.6 – 4.3.9.8 of the Design Criteria and in the Department’s Acceptance letter for the specific filtration technology/vendor. 

• For bag and cartridge filtration systems, this includes the requirements to not exceed the maximum specified pressure differential and keep a record of daily routine pressure differential readings and filter change outs and these records will be reviewed during the sanitary survey. Specific spare parts may also be required to be on hand and will be checked during the sanitary survey. 
• For membrane systems, suppliers must maintain an operation and maintenance manual for the filtration system. All integrity tests and Clean In Place (CIP) procedures must follow manufacturers prescribed procedures. The supplier must also keep records of the following operational parameters and the records will be reviewed during the sanitary survey:
• Integrity test date, results (pass or fail), and initials of person performing the test
• Clean in place dates with clean water permeability and integrity test results.
• Filter maintenance and fiber repair results
• Filter replacement date and reason for replacement.

Please review your RAW and make sure you are aware of the requirements established by any conditions of approval and keeping the required records. The RAW conditions of approval and site-specific records will be reviewed during the sanitary survey and if there is an issue, a T119 Significant Deficiency may be issued. According to Regulation 11, Section 11.3(72), a significant deficiency means: any situation, practice, or condition in a public water system with respect to design, operation, maintenance, or administration, that the state determines may result in or have the potential to result in production of finished drinking water that poses an unacceptable risk to health and welfare of the public served by the water system. Significant deficiencies must be addressed in writing within 45 days after the sanitary survey letter and any significant deficiencies that remain unresolved after 120 days or past an department approved schedule will be referred to compliance for a type 45-violation that requires Tier 2 public notice (30 day public notice with health effects language). 

Please check the conditions of approval in your RAW to protect public health and avoid significant deficiencies during your next sanitary survey. If you have any questions regarding your RAW, please contact the Engineering Section. If you would like additional assistance on technical issues or sanitary survey preparation, please sign up for individualized coaching here.  For any questions or concerns about sanitary surveys please email our Field Services team at cdphe_wqcd_fss_questions@state.co.us. 

Thank you for all your efforts to protect public health!

➽ Heather Young, PE, CWP, Field Services Section Manager

➽ Andrew Rice, PE, Engineering Section