Drinking Water Quiz

2019 Quiz #1

Think you know everything about drinking water? Prove your knowledge by submitting our interactive quiz. We will post a quiz periodically, covering blog posts since the previous quiz. This is the first Aqua Talk Blog quiz, so it will cover the blog posts since the blog debuted. 

Complete any one of the 2019 drinking water quizzes and you'll be entered in a drawing to receive an AWWA Water Operator Field Guide, valued over $50. The drawing will be held in the first quarter of 2020. Please provide your name and email address when submitting your quiz answers if you wish to be entered in the drawing.

Complete the first 2019 Drinking Water Quiz

Thanks for your participation. Answers will also be provided on the blog within the next quarter. The winner of the 2019 quiz drawing will be posted during the first quarter of 2020.

Cross Connection Control

Case for containment: Backflow prevention and cross connection control implementation practices

In Colorado, water suppliers provide water to various types of customers. There are five types of customers served by public water systems: residential, multi-family, commercial, industrial and agricultural. Contamination of drinking water can occur in any supplier’s water distribution system. This potential contamination can come in the form of a cross connection. A cross connection is a connection in a plumbing system where the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable source. 

Colorado Revised Statutes 25-1-114(h) makes it unlawful to “install, maintain, or permit any cross connection between any water system supplying drinking water to the public and any pipe, plumbing fixture, or water system which contains water of a quality below the minimum general sanitary standards.” Cross connections in a drinking water supply system can be a health risk. According to the Center for Disease Control, the presence of contaminants in water can lead to adverse health effects, including gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised because of AIDS, chemotherapy, or transplant medications, may be especially susceptible to illness from some contaminants.

There are examples of different types of cross connections that suppliers may see in the table below.

Colorado cross connections to building’s internal water supply systems are generally controlled in accordance with the Colorado Plumbing Code (CPC) and the local plumbing code. Cross connections to a Public Water System (PWS) are controlled in accordance with Regulation 11. There are instances where Regulation 11 and the CPC are both applicable. This is most common for smaller PWS, such as non-community suppliers, who are located on one property and own the water supply systems.

Reduced pressure zone - Irrigation backup water supply

Regulation 11 requires that the supplier survey and evaluate their distribution system and applicable water supply systems, for potential cross connections. Specifically, the Department of Public Health and Environment requires that suppliers evaluate all non-single-family-residential (e.g. apartments) plumbing for cross connections, with the exception of connections that are controlled with an air gap or a reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly. These connections do not need to be evaluated. 

Uncontrolled bypass to boiler - cross connection

When discovered, water suppliers are required to implement control measures for the identified cross connections within 120 days. More information on minimum control requirements can be found in Regulation 11. Additional policy and guidance is available on the department’s Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control (BPCCC) webpage.

Regulation 11 allows public water systems to control a cross connection by containment or containment by isolation. When backflow prevention assemblies are installed at the service connection, this is commonly referred to as containment (figure below). Containment by isolation allows suppliers to protect the distribution system with backflow prevention assemblies, or methods installed at the location of identified cross connection within a customer’s premise plumbing and water supply system.

Example of a backflow prevention assembly installed at a location classified as containment

Courtesy of Dr. Stuart F. Asay, IAPMO

When a customer’s water supply system becomes contaminated and the service connection is not contained properly, it may create an unacceptable health risk to the public. In these incidents, the department may issue a bottled water advisory for the impacted areas. A bottled water advisory will remain in place until the supplier can demonstrate that the situation has been remedied. 

Regulation 11 does not require suppliers to control all non-single-family-residential connections with an appropriate containment assembly, and allows a supplier to protect their distribution system with the use of containment by isolation assemblies. However, many public water systems choose to implement the backflow protection and cross-connection control program in a way that all  non-single-family-residential connections must be contained to prevent any potential contamination of the distribution system. Properly implemented containment will continue to protect systems from potential waterborne disease outbreaks due to contamination from cross connection. This proven practice will protect us all from unacceptable health and or safety risks.

2018 Cross Connection Case Studies

In 2018 the department responded to three backflow contamination events due to cross connections. All three contamination events occurred on properties served by public water systems. Two of these situations were protected from potential backflow contamination at the service connections via appropriately installed, maintained and tested backflow prevention assemblies. In both cases we contacted the responsible system and confirmed their assemblies had been tested and maintained in accordance with Regulation 11. Each supplier was able to quickly provide testing reports for the containment assemblies. The properly maintained and tested containment assemblies protected their customers by preventing potential contamination in the distribution system. Because the contamination events were both contained within the customers’ water supply system, the public works systems did not have to make a public notice or take further action. The proper implementation of an adequate backflow protection and cross-connection control program was directly responsible for the protection of the public’s water supply as intended by Regulation 11.

The suppliers were able to quickly provide testing reports for the containment assemblies. The properly maintained and tested containment assemblies protected the public water systems and prevented any potential contamination of the distribution system. Since the contamination events were contained within the customer’s water supply system, the PWSs did not have to take any further action and no public notice was required of the PWSs. The supplier’s proper implementation of an adequate backflow protection and cross-connection control (BPCCC) program led to protection of the public water supply as intended by Regulation 11.

The third event happened when a supplier became aware of a suspected backflow contamination in their distribution system. When they made this discovery , they contacted the department. Their service connection was not contained, (i.e., controlled with a backflow prevention assembly). When it was confirmed that the service connection’s water supply system was contaminated, the supplier issued a bottle water advisory to 18 nearby customers because the impact to the public being served by the public work system was unknown. After the situation was remedied with  proper controls onsite, and the impacted area was flushed, the department lifted the bottled water advisory.

➽ Jorge Delgado, senior field engineer

Coaches' Classroom

GWUDI monitoring can save your system money!

During a sanitary survey, the inspector may identify your groundwater source as potentially being ground water under the direct influence of surface water, also known as GWUDI. This is based on well and screening depth, aquifer material, distance to surface water and pumping rates. After the survey, you may receive a letter instructing you to conduct performance monitoring from April to October, and determine if your groundwater source is GWUDI.

Monitoring parameters

• Conductivity and temperature are conducted two days a week, which requires a conductivity/temperature meter. The monitoring compares the conductivity and temperature between the groundwater and surface water nearby. This determines if the groundwater is influenced by the surface water source.
• Total Coliform samples are collected monthly at the groundwater source.
• Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) is required three times between April-October on the groundwater source. One in April or May, one in June or July, and one in August or September.
• Aerobic Spores are collected at the same time as the MPA from the groundwater source and nearby surface water.

Results from these monitoring activities will determine if the groundwater source is GWUDI. If systems choose to forgo monitoring, their source(s) will be reclassified as GWUDI. Performance monitoring can cost around $2,000. The department has a limited number of conductivity/temperature meters to loan out, helping offset performance monitoring costs by about $400-$500. 

If reclassified, the system will have 18 months to upgrade its system with a filter system, and will be required to increase its chlorine residual to 2.0 mg/l within 60 days until department approved filtration is in place. Once the system updates are completed and online, the monitoring will be increased to meet the surface water requirements. These additional costs could exceed $20,000.

GWUDI training is available when you submit the training request form on our website. Hands-on training will provide the system with information on how to collect representative samples, sample techniques, and how to record the monitoring data. Training units (TUs) in water treatment will be provided to individuals completing GWUDI training. These units can be applied as part of the continuing education hours as required by Regulation 100.

➽ Mike Bacon, local assistance coach

Funding opportunity

Request for proposals - drinking water training 

We have two 2019 program requests for proposals (RFP) open for you to review. If you know any teachers, trainers, subject matter experts or other professionals that might appreciate this opportunity, please share far and wide!

Public water system training - grant program

The Safe Drinking Water Program has re-instituted an updated Public Water System Training Grants Program to provide an opportunity for qualified applicants interested in partnering with the state to provide training services in high priority subject matters. 

The program is designed to help fill the training gaps identified through studies conducted by our staff. In particular, the program has an emphasis on encouraging public-private partnerships to provide training services to small public water systems in rural areas of Colorado.

The 2019 program request for proposals has been released. We are soliciting qualified applicants interested in partnering with the state to provide these training sessions. This RFP is open to teachers, trainers, and subject matter experts to receive grants to fund regulations training for target audiences on Colorado drinking water regulations. 

Training curriculum must incorporate and teach to content provided by our department. Specific regulatory topics include: 

• Cross connection control. 
• Storage tanks.
• Distribution disinfection.
• Long term monitoring schedules ending in 2019 (Samplegeddon).

e-Learning water and wastewater training for certification applicants

This second request for proposals is to solicit qualified applicants interested in developing and hosting a water and a wastewater comprehensive regulations e-learning training course - available free of charge to all certification applicants.

Our vision is that all public water system training supported by the Colorado Safe Drinking Water Program is consistently relevant, of high quality and well coordinated statewide.

For more information about these two exciting opportunities please visit the drinking water training grant program page. 


➽ Armando Herald, Local assistance unit manager

Funding opportunity

Grant opportunities for lead testing in schools

House Bill 17-1306 directed the Water Quality Control Division to establish a grant program to test for lead in drinking water at public schools. The bill provided the division with $300,000 annually to award and distribute to eligible public schools to implement voluntary lead testing at their facilities. 

We are looking forward to another successful year of the grant funding program and the Request for Application (RFA) period for state fiscal year (SFY) 2019-20 will be announced on April 17, 2019. The initial application period will end on June 17, 2019 at 2 p.m. MST. 

Depending on the grant demand, we may have an open enrollment period sometime after July 15, 2019, but we encourage schools to apply early to secure funding. When the request for the application period is officially announced, the application and additional program information will be on the lead testing in schools webpage.

Eligibility

Eligible schools include public schools that:

• Are not subject to the federal lead and copper rule, 40 CRF part 141, subpart I;  
• Have not tested for lead yet;
• Or are in the process of lead testing its drinking water.

A public school – means a school that derives its support, in whole or in part, from moneys raised by a general state, county, or district tax. Public school includes a public school district; charter school, as that term is defined in section 22-30.5-103(2), C.R.S., including an institute charter school, as that term is defined in section 22-30.5-502(6), C.R.S.; and a board of cooperative services, as that term is defined in section 22-5-103(2), C.R.S.

Details

• The money for this funding opportunity is from the Water Quality Improvement Fund.
• It covers voluntary lead testing in public schools to detect the presence and concentration of lead in drinking water. 
• A total of $300,000 has been allocated for State fiscal year 2019-20. 
• Public schools can apply for reimbursement of up to 100 samples per school or to a maximum amount of $5,000 per school. 
• The funding period is anticipated to begin July 15, 2019 not to exceed June 30, 2020.

Why is this funding important?

Lead is a toxic metal that can affect almost every organ and system in the body, particularly the central nervous system (brain). Children six years and younger are particularly at risk for lead poisoning because their brains are still growing. Lead can be introduced into drinking water one of two ways: It can be present in the supplier’s source water or it can be introduced by water interacting with the plumbing material (e.g. pipes, fixtures, solder) that may contain lead. 

The source of lead in drinking water is most often from old plumbing, not the water supply. Lead in drinking water is a specific concern due to aging infrastructure and older buildings. Buildings built before 1986 are more likely to have fixtures and solder that are high in lead content, or even lead pipes.

Not all schools are required by law to test their water for lead. Our program encourages schools to sample for lead and the program assists the schools to test their water supply and always provide safe drinking water sources.

Questions?

Contact us at cdphe_wqcd_lead_grant@state.co.us.


➽ John Duggan, source water work group lead

Success stories

Bringing a recently regulated public water system into compliance

Wellhouse before design approval and modifications

During the year, the department routinely activates anywhere between 10 to 30 “unregistered” public water systems. These are systems that have been in routine operation, but have not been regulated. Many of these systems struggle with meeting the drinking water regulatory requirements (e.g. installing disinfection, hiring an operator, developing a monitoring plan, sampling, etc.). In 2017, due to customer complaints, the department activated an unregistered system in Teller County that is a year-round campground and serves approximately 20 residents and 50 transients. Initially, the owners feared the cost of installing treatment and ensuring compliance with the drinking water regulations would force them to shut the campground down.

In July 2017, the system was placed on a boil water advisory due to confirmed E. coli in the distribution system and lack of chlorination for their groundwater well. The advisory was escalated to a bottled water advisory in October 2017 due to high levels of nitrate in addition to the detected E. coli in the drinking water. The system was issued a formal enforcement order in April 2018 for numerous unresolved violations, including ongoing failure to disinfect the drinking water.

The system contacted the department’s local assistance unit in late March 2018 for assistance with completing plans and specifications for a new treatment system and well/wellhouse upgrades. During five separate coaching visits, the coach worked with the campground owners to complete a design submittal for a new treatment system, ensure proper chlorinator installation, and inspect the final project after completion. As of October 2018, the system has an approved chlorination system installed and in operation. This project would not have been possible without the extensive collaboration between the water system owners and the department’s drinking water compliance assurance section, the engineering section, the field services section, and the assistance coach. Through the collaboration efforts, the water system realized the compliance issues were solvable and could be completed without hindering their business.

Wellhouse after design approval and installation of treatment system

The system’s disinfection treatment project also included wellhead and source water protection improvements to address both nitrate and E. coli issues, and expansion of the existing treatment building to accommodate a contact time pipeline. After over 16 months of being on a boil water advisory due to E. coli in the distribution system, the advisory was rescinded in early November 2018 as the department determined the system is operating properly and providing safe drinking water to the public. The department is continuing to work with system to meet the drinking water regulatory requirements and to close the enforcement order in the near future.

➽ Haley Orahood, compliance assistance and Mike Bacon, local assistance coach

Simple Fixes

Backflow prevention and cross-connection control report

The department would like to remind all public water systems that the annual backflow prevention and cross-connection control (BPCCC) report is due May 1 of each year. Colorado Drinking Water Regulation, Section 11.39 (5 CCR 1002-11) requires that suppliers create a report to demonstrate compliance with the BPCCC Rule. The annual report summarizes the performance of the public water system’s program. For compliance year 2018, the supplier must develop a written annual BPCCC report by May 1, 2019, and for each calendar year thereafter and keep a record of the report for department review. The department will review annual BPCCC reports during sanitary surveys and reserves the right to request a report at any time.

Backflow prevention hardware

Please note that unless a violation is identified in the annual report, it is not required to be submitted to the department. If you have questions while completing the report or are unclear if a violation has occurred please contact the departments BPCCC specialist, Jorge Delgado at 303-692-3511 or at jorge.a.delgado@state.co.us. The department would like to commend many suppliers who have come forward and self-reported BPCCC violations. Such actions are necessary in promoting a culture of health and providing consumers with the appropriate public notice and potential health risk.

If a BPCCC violation occurred, Regulation 11.39(7) requires that the violation must be reported to the department no later than 48 hours after the violation occurs. The department requests that the supplier submit a copy of the annual BPCCC report, which should document the identified violations (per Regulation 11.36(2)(b)). The annual report should be submitted via the department’s drinking water portal found at wqcdcompliance.com/login. Please mark the report to the attention of Jorge Delgado. Additional guidance with sample calculations for the annual BPCCC report can be found on our website, titled BPCCC Program Report Guidance. 

➽ Jorge Delgado, P.E., senior field engineer