EPA Recognizes New Hampshire Wastewater Treatment Entities for Excellence
BOSTON (Jan. 29, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England Office recently awarded four 2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to New Hampshire wastewater facilities and individuals to recognize them for their commitment to improving water quality.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognizes personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England.
"Wastewater treatment is a vital, but often overlooked, part of our world. Most of us don't realize what it takes behind the scenes for wastewater to be treated for pollution control and reuse, in order to protect public health and the environment," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It's important for us to highlight those individuals and entities who excel in their work to protect our water quality and our health, and we at EPA congratulate them for their dedication to the environment and to our communities."
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Nate Brown of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility
Mr. Brown, who is the Utilities Superintendent of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work over the years operating and maintaining the facility. Mr. Brown was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Brown's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year
Betty Green of B Green L&P Consulting
Ms. Green, who is the owner of B Green L&P Consulting, was recognized for her outstanding work as an instructor with the Granite State Rural Water Association. Ms. Green was the only person in New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Green's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year was established to recognize and honor the trainers who provide exemplary education to operators in the wastewater sector. Wastewater is a constantly evolving field and operators are required to take many hours of training prior to becoming licensed, along with annual continuing education to keep them up to date on the newest technologies, contaminants, regulations, and other industry-specific topics.
2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award
Hanover Water Reclamation Facility
The Hanover Water Reclamation Facility, led by Superintendent Kevin MacLean, was recognized for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant during the past year. The facility was one of only three facilities across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in the facility's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Especially with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.
2023 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award
City of Nashua Industrial Pretreatment Program
The City of Nashua's Pretreatment Program staff, led by Douglas Starr, was honored for exceptional work inspecting, permitting, and sampling industrial users that discharge industrial waste into the collection system.
The EPA Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through outstanding oversight of its industrial users discharging to the municipal sewer system.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognizes personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England.
"Wastewater treatment is a vital, but often overlooked, part of our world. Most of us don't realize what it takes behind the scenes for wastewater to be treated for pollution control and reuse, in order to protect public health and the environment," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It's important for us to highlight those individuals and entities who excel in their work to protect our water quality and our health, and we at EPA congratulate them for their dedication to the environment and to our communities."
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Nate Brown of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility
Mr. Brown, who is the Utilities Superintendent of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work over the years operating and maintaining the facility. Mr. Brown was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Brown's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year
Betty Green of B Green L&P Consulting
Ms. Green, who is the owner of B Green L&P Consulting, was recognized for her outstanding work as an instructor with the Granite State Rural Water Association. Ms. Green was the only person in New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Green's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year was established to recognize and honor the trainers who provide exemplary education to operators in the wastewater sector. Wastewater is a constantly evolving field and operators are required to take many hours of training prior to becoming licensed, along with annual continuing education to keep them up to date on the newest technologies, contaminants, regulations, and other industry-specific topics.
2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award
Hanover Water Reclamation Facility
The Hanover Water Reclamation Facility, led by Superintendent Kevin MacLean, was recognized for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant during the past year. The facility was one of only three facilities across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in the facility's nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Especially with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.
2023 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award
City of Nashua Industrial Pretreatment Program
The City of Nashua's Pretreatment Program staff, led by Douglas Starr, was honored for exceptional work inspecting, permitting, and sampling industrial users that discharge industrial waste into the collection system.
The EPA Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through outstanding oversight of its industrial users discharging to the municipal sewer system.
EPA moving forward with additional cleanup of residential yards in East Helena
EAST HELENA, Mont.--Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the conclusion of a 30-day public comment period and the finalization of an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) document that will lower the soil-lead cleanup level at the East Helena Superfund Site from 500 ppm (parts per million) to 400 ppm and remove the 1,000 ppm cleanup action level previously used as a trigger for yard cleanups at the Site. ESDs are documents that EPA uses to modify existing cleanup plans. In this case, the ESD will modify the 2009 Record of Decision (ROD) for Residential Yards and Undeveloped Lands in East Helena.
Both formal and informal public comments were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal to reduce the soil-lead cleanup level to 400 ppm. With the ESD finalized, EPA will now solicit contract support to initiate yard cleanups later in 2024. The prior cleanup approach established under the 2009 ROD included an action level of 1,000 ppm and a cleanup level of 500 ppm for lead in residential soils. This means that properties with levels above 1,000 ppm qualified for cleanup, and any parts of the property with levels above 500 ppm were cleaned up.
“Reducing exposure to lead, especially for young children, is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Region 8 Administrator KC Becker. “Lowering the cleanup level for yards in East Helena will enable us to complete new cleanup actions that will further protect the community from potential exposure to lead and its harmful health impacts.”
Previous cleanup efforts under the 2009 ROD led to the remediation of hundreds of yards in East Helena, which involved the removal and replacement of residential soils contaminated by more than one hundred years of smelting by the former ASARCO plant. A better understanding of the health impacts associated with lead exposure, especially for young children and pregnant people, has recently led EPA to reassess acceptable levels of soil-lead contamination at Superfund sites across the country.
EPA also recently released national guidance lowering the screening level for soil-lead in residential yards to 200 ppm, or to 100 ppm if there are multiple sources of lead contamination. Site project managers use screening levels when determining cleanup levels, taking into account Site-specific information on the bioavailability of contaminants and other factors. This means that, in addition to conducting cleanups under the ESD, EPA will now be assessing what the new national soil-lead guidance means for the East Helena Site.
EPA’s East Helena Site team will keep the community informed as they work to implement the new guidance, which may lead to a revision of the 400 ppm residential soil-lead cleanup level determined in the ESD. It is important to note that implementation of this updated guidance will only expand the number of residential properties qualifying for cleanups, and that EPA’s whole-yard approach to yard cleanups moving forward will not require multiple cleanups for qualifying properties.
Health impacts from lead can be permanent. Finding and removing sources of lead from environments, especially where young children live, learn and play, is key in preventing exposure.
Parents who are concerned about potential lead exposure can help reduce harmful impacts by talking to their child’s doctor and getting connected to learning, nutritional and behavioral programs.
For more information on follow-up and case management for children with lead in their blood, please refer to CDC’s Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level.
EPA’s Response to Comments Summary for comments submitted during the public comment period is also available for review.
Both formal and informal public comments were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal to reduce the soil-lead cleanup level to 400 ppm. With the ESD finalized, EPA will now solicit contract support to initiate yard cleanups later in 2024. The prior cleanup approach established under the 2009 ROD included an action level of 1,000 ppm and a cleanup level of 500 ppm for lead in residential soils. This means that properties with levels above 1,000 ppm qualified for cleanup, and any parts of the property with levels above 500 ppm were cleaned up.
“Reducing exposure to lead, especially for young children, is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Region 8 Administrator KC Becker. “Lowering the cleanup level for yards in East Helena will enable us to complete new cleanup actions that will further protect the community from potential exposure to lead and its harmful health impacts.”
Previous cleanup efforts under the 2009 ROD led to the remediation of hundreds of yards in East Helena, which involved the removal and replacement of residential soils contaminated by more than one hundred years of smelting by the former ASARCO plant. A better understanding of the health impacts associated with lead exposure, especially for young children and pregnant people, has recently led EPA to reassess acceptable levels of soil-lead contamination at Superfund sites across the country.
EPA also recently released national guidance lowering the screening level for soil-lead in residential yards to 200 ppm, or to 100 ppm if there are multiple sources of lead contamination. Site project managers use screening levels when determining cleanup levels, taking into account Site-specific information on the bioavailability of contaminants and other factors. This means that, in addition to conducting cleanups under the ESD, EPA will now be assessing what the new national soil-lead guidance means for the East Helena Site.
EPA’s East Helena Site team will keep the community informed as they work to implement the new guidance, which may lead to a revision of the 400 ppm residential soil-lead cleanup level determined in the ESD. It is important to note that implementation of this updated guidance will only expand the number of residential properties qualifying for cleanups, and that EPA’s whole-yard approach to yard cleanups moving forward will not require multiple cleanups for qualifying properties.
Health impacts from lead can be permanent. Finding and removing sources of lead from environments, especially where young children live, learn and play, is key in preventing exposure.
Parents who are concerned about potential lead exposure can help reduce harmful impacts by talking to their child’s doctor and getting connected to learning, nutritional and behavioral programs.
For more information on follow-up and case management for children with lead in their blood, please refer to CDC’s Recommended Actions Based on Blood Lead Level.
EPA’s Response to Comments Summary for comments submitted during the public comment period is also available for review.
USDA Invests Approximately $11.5 Million in Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects in 23 States
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing approximately $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture.
USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small Launches Cross-Country College Tour to Visit Land-Grant Universities
WASHINGTON, January 25, 2024 – As students across the nation returned to school for the Spring semester, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small is continuing a multi-week college tour throughout the United States. During her tour, the Deputy is visiting campuses in at least seven states to highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration is working with Land-grant Universities to advance rural prosperity, climate-smart practices, competition, and sustainability.
1 Night, 2 Packages, $9.58 million
LOUISVILLE, Ky— Monday night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville seized two shipments containing at total of 3,301 pieces of counterfeit designer rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The items were…
CBP Seizes $700K Worth of Counterfeit Luxury Jewelry in One Consignment Sent to Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers and Import Specialists seized 116 pieces of counterfeit luxury jewelry contained in a single consignment originating from China for infringing intellectual property rights. If the…
EPA takes action against Connecticut contractor for failing to follow lead-safe work practices when renovating
BOSTON (Jan. 25, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a settlement with a Connecticut-based residential contractor for violations of the federal lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. As a result of the settlement, Bellamy Home Improvement dba Harmony Home Improvement, based in South Windsor, Conn., agreed to pay a penalty of $34,818 and certify compliance with the federal lead-based paint RRP Rule.
"When renovators fail to follow lead-based paint rules, it puts children and families at risk," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It is of the utmost importance that companies ensure that their workers have the proper lead safety training in order to prevent exposure during home renovations – as there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead safe renovations are especially important in areas that have been historically overburdened by environmental pollution, and we'll continue to work to get the lead out of these communities and hold violators accountable."
EPA observed a subcontractor of Bellamy Home Improvement failing to follow lead-safe work practices while removing painted siding from a residence in Manchester, Conn. EPA alleges that Bellamy failed to: provide the owners of several homes built before 1978 where renovations occurred with a lead-hazard information pamphlet prior to beginning the renovation work; ensure that one of the company's subcontractors covered the ground with plastic sheeting to contain lead paint debris; ensure that its subcontractors obtained proper renovator training and certification; and failed to retain all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the lead-safe work practices required by the RRP Rule.
After observing that the company failed to follow lead-safe work practices at one residence, EPA performed an audit of the company's business records. A sample of six renovation projects that Bellamy subcontracted over the previous two years, including the aforementioned project in Manchester, Conn., was used to evaluate the company's compliance with the RRP Rule. Based on a review of these records, EPA alleged that the company violated the RRP Rule 15 times during six renovation projects in the period audited. The location of one of the renovation projects cited is in an area of environmental justice concern. This inspection was part of EPA New England's Connecticut Geographic Initiative for lead-based paint.
Background
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requirements aim to protect occupants from lead-based paint hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The regulations require contractors, property owners, managers, and others who perform repairs and renovations of target housing for compensation that disturb more than six square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface (even if it is not known whether the paint contains lead) to provide notification to owners and occupants; ensure that renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians are properly trained; obtain proper certification for renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians; use lead-safe renovation work practices; obtain certification for the firm from EPA; and keep records for at least three years.More information
Lead RRP Rule Program
Lead Enforcement
"When renovators fail to follow lead-based paint rules, it puts children and families at risk," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It is of the utmost importance that companies ensure that their workers have the proper lead safety training in order to prevent exposure during home renovations – as there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead safe renovations are especially important in areas that have been historically overburdened by environmental pollution, and we'll continue to work to get the lead out of these communities and hold violators accountable."
EPA observed a subcontractor of Bellamy Home Improvement failing to follow lead-safe work practices while removing painted siding from a residence in Manchester, Conn. EPA alleges that Bellamy failed to: provide the owners of several homes built before 1978 where renovations occurred with a lead-hazard information pamphlet prior to beginning the renovation work; ensure that one of the company's subcontractors covered the ground with plastic sheeting to contain lead paint debris; ensure that its subcontractors obtained proper renovator training and certification; and failed to retain all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the lead-safe work practices required by the RRP Rule.
After observing that the company failed to follow lead-safe work practices at one residence, EPA performed an audit of the company's business records. A sample of six renovation projects that Bellamy subcontracted over the previous two years, including the aforementioned project in Manchester, Conn., was used to evaluate the company's compliance with the RRP Rule. Based on a review of these records, EPA alleged that the company violated the RRP Rule 15 times during six renovation projects in the period audited. The location of one of the renovation projects cited is in an area of environmental justice concern. This inspection was part of EPA New England's Connecticut Geographic Initiative for lead-based paint.
Background
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requirements aim to protect occupants from lead-based paint hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The regulations require contractors, property owners, managers, and others who perform repairs and renovations of target housing for compensation that disturb more than six square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface (even if it is not known whether the paint contains lead) to provide notification to owners and occupants; ensure that renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians are properly trained; obtain proper certification for renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians; use lead-safe renovation work practices; obtain certification for the firm from EPA; and keep records for at least three years.More information
Lead RRP Rule Program
Lead Enforcement
EPA, HUD, DOE Sign Joint Letter Asking Utility Companies to Make Energy and Water Usage Data Available for Multifamily Properties
WASHINGTON (Jan. 25, 2024) – The leaders of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Energy announced a joint letter asking for the nation’s leading utility companies to make energy and water use data freely available to the owners of multifamily properties to eliminate barriers to energy efficiency improvements for families who live in multifamily assisted housing.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we’re seeing a historic transition to clean energy across the entire economy. Thanks to leaders like Secretary Fudge and Secretary Granholm, this transition includes our nation’s housing, leading to a reduction in household pollution and resulting in significant cost savings for families,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “There’s more work to be done, especially for the communities that have been left behind for far too long. This joint effort will provide improved critical energy data, creating brighter, more efficient homes, and further reducing costs, ensuring we can build a sustainable future for all.”
“Thanks to the President’s Inflation Reduction Act, we are investing billions in much-needed energy efficiency upgrades at the properties where many of our most vulnerable populations call home,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “In order to do that, we need to provide the properties we serve with accurate data. Today, we join the DOE and EPA to ask utility companies to help us by making information available on energy and water usage for all.”
“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, DOE’s Home Energy Rebates will help American households save nearly a billion dollars annually on their energy bills by making it easier to install upgrades like insulation or new electric Energy Star appliances,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “We are proud to join HUD and EPA to call for utility companies to provide accurate usage data and maximize the ability for all households – including renters – to live in more comfortable, energy efficient homes.”
Multifamily properties are home to more than 19 million low-income households – over 15 percent of all U.S. households. Upgrades to these properties targeting utility conservation could significantly reduce energy and water costs. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration delivered more than $6.6 billion in funding for U.S. multifamily properties to improve energy and water efficiency and lower costs. This includes programs like HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) and DOE’s Home Efficiency Rebate Program.
To maximize the impact of these investments, owners of multifamily properties need access to complete energy use data for their buildings – data that many utility companies currently fail to share. EPA offers Guidance for Utilities on Providing Whole-Building Energy Data, as well as one-on-one support to utilities interested in making this data available to owners.
By championing the availability of whole-building utility data access, utility companies will facilitate cost-effective investments in the communities they serve. See the full letter sent to major utility companies today.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we’re seeing a historic transition to clean energy across the entire economy. Thanks to leaders like Secretary Fudge and Secretary Granholm, this transition includes our nation’s housing, leading to a reduction in household pollution and resulting in significant cost savings for families,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “There’s more work to be done, especially for the communities that have been left behind for far too long. This joint effort will provide improved critical energy data, creating brighter, more efficient homes, and further reducing costs, ensuring we can build a sustainable future for all.”
“Thanks to the President’s Inflation Reduction Act, we are investing billions in much-needed energy efficiency upgrades at the properties where many of our most vulnerable populations call home,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “In order to do that, we need to provide the properties we serve with accurate data. Today, we join the DOE and EPA to ask utility companies to help us by making information available on energy and water usage for all.”
“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, DOE’s Home Energy Rebates will help American households save nearly a billion dollars annually on their energy bills by making it easier to install upgrades like insulation or new electric Energy Star appliances,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “We are proud to join HUD and EPA to call for utility companies to provide accurate usage data and maximize the ability for all households – including renters – to live in more comfortable, energy efficient homes.”
Multifamily properties are home to more than 19 million low-income households – over 15 percent of all U.S. households. Upgrades to these properties targeting utility conservation could significantly reduce energy and water costs. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration delivered more than $6.6 billion in funding for U.S. multifamily properties to improve energy and water efficiency and lower costs. This includes programs like HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) and DOE’s Home Efficiency Rebate Program.
To maximize the impact of these investments, owners of multifamily properties need access to complete energy use data for their buildings – data that many utility companies currently fail to share. EPA offers Guidance for Utilities on Providing Whole-Building Energy Data, as well as one-on-one support to utilities interested in making this data available to owners.
By championing the availability of whole-building utility data access, utility companies will facilitate cost-effective investments in the communities they serve. See the full letter sent to major utility companies today.